UNDP Jobs - 56049- National Project Manager, Department of Youth Affa

National Project Manager, Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports / UNDP/UNV (Open to Indian Nationals Only)

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

14-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

One Year Initially (With possibility of extension)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year Initially

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations General Assembly defines volunteerism as an activity undertaken out of free will, for the general public good, and where monetary reward is not the principal motivating factor. It is expressed through a wide range of activities, including traditional forms of mutual aid and self-help, formal service delivery, campaigning and advocacy, as well as other forms of civic participation. Volunteering represents an important form and manifestation of youth participation across the globe. It is increasingly recognized that young people’s approaches to participation are changing and becoming more diverse, especially as a result of globalization processes. According to the State of the World’s Volunteerism Report 2011, “healthy societies need young people who are involved with their communities. Volunteer action can be a highly effective route towards such involvement.”

A growing body of research and studies, including the UNV’s own lessons learned, points to the benefits volunteerism accrues to a youth’s own development and to societies at large:

Firstly, volunteerism can support young people to become active leaders and citizens and serves as an important tool for engagement in society;
Secondly, youth volunteerism strengthens the bond between young people and their communities;
And finally, volunteerism helps young people improve their employment prospects through practical experiences which enhance both hard and soft job-related skills.

In India, the origin and development of volunteerism has been shaped by its indigenous traditions and value systems rooted in the religion and cultural interactions with incoming cultures throughout its history. The 12th Five Year Plan of the Government of India states that it would look afresh at the existing policies, instruments and institutions, and suggest innovative policies, efficient and effective instruments and creative ways to rejuvenate institutions in order to utilise and channel the youth energy in nation-building and economic development of society. It states that convergence in approach and synergy in action would be the key elements.

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) has been running schemes such as the National Service Scheme (NSS), 1969 and Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYKS), 1972 for promotion of volunteerism amongst the youth. The 12th Five Year Plan calls for strengthening NSS and expanding its coverage from the existing 33 lakh by 5 lakh per annum over the next five years. Meanwhile, the thrust of the Nehru Yuva Kendra(s)—NYKs in the 12th Plan, would be on consolidating, expanding and energising the youth club movement for engaging the rural youth in various socio-economic and community activities.

MoYAS in consultation with various stakeholders has also released a new National Youth Policy (2014) that aims to “empower youth of the country to achieve their full potential and through them enable India to find its rightful place in the community of nations.” The National Youth Policy (2014) of India proposes to initiate affirmative and positive action to ensure that national values are regularly fostered in all young people, especially among members of the large youth volunteer force working under the aegis of leading youth development agencies of the country. As such the policy proposes to engage with Youth clubs and the large volunteer force available within youth development agencies to play a pivotal role in developing appropriate initiatives for young people.

Within United Nations, the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme established by the UN General Assembly in 1970 and administered by the UNDP, partners with UN agencies, governments and civil society organisations to advocate for volunteerism, integrate volunteerism into peace and development interventions and mobilise UN Volunteers and community volunteers.

In the context of increasing the attention of the international community to volunteerism and its contribution to the work of the UN System, UNV launched a Strategic Framework for 2014-2017. Within this Strategic Framework, UNV has developed a comprehensive Youth Volunteeriing Strategy (YVS) and a UNV Global Youth Volunteer Programme to promote youth volunteerism and youth voice, in line with its long history of youth volunteerism, and in alignment with the UN Secretary-General's Call for Action and Five-Year Action Agenda in 2012.

Further, the Government of India and United Nations signed the United Nations Development Action Framework 2013-17 also focuses on the potential of mobilisation of volunteers, especially adolescents for peace and development.

Taking cognisance of the major recommendations of the 12th Five Year Plan and the National Youth Policy (2014), the UNV Global Youth Volunteer Programme and UN Youth Volunteering Strategy, the MoYAS and UNV/UNDP have agreed on a project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS” to provide catalytic support to the Youth Volunteer Schemes of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) to facilitate youth participation and voice in peace and sustainable development programmes, towards realization of their full social, economic and human potential. It is expected that the project will help young people to gain a strong sense of civic engagement to bring about positive transformation in their communities.

To achieve the above, the project will engage a national Project Manager and three national UNV Management Associates at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MOYAS) (at national level) and UNV District Youth Coordinators (UNV DYCs) in one district in each of 29 states of India to support implementation of the project “Strengthening NYKS and NSS”.

Duties and Responsibilities

The National Project Manager will work under the direct guidance and supervision of National Project Director (NPD) “Strengthening NYKS and NSS” project - Joint Secretary, Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in coordination with Programme Officer, UNV/UNDP. The incumbent will primarily be responsible for following duties and responsibilities:

Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved work-plan;
Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring schedule plan, and update the plan as required;
Mobilize personnel, goods and services, training and micro-capital grants to initiate activities, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications and overseeing all contractors’ work;
Provide technical inputs for the research studies under the project;
Manage requests for the provision of financial resources by UNDP, through advance of funds, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE (Fund Authorization and Certificate of Expenditures);
Be responsible for preparing and submitting financial reports to UNDP on a quarterly basis;
Manage and monitor the project risks initially identified and submit new risks to the project board for Monitoring financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log;
Capture lessons learnt during project implementation – a lessons learnt log can be used in this regard
Perform regular progress reporting to the PSC;
Prepare the annual review report, and submit the report to the PSC;
Prepare the annual work plan for the following year, as well as quarterly plans if required; update the Atlas Project Management module if external access is made available;
Any other activities decided by the National Project Director.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism and discrimination.

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity.

Working in Teams:

Acts as a team player and facilitates team work;
Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively and manages conflict;
Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complex situations;
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Knowledge sharing / continuous learning:

Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;
Provides information and documentation on specific stages of programme implementation.

Functional Competencies:

Results Based Programme Development and Management:

Generates new ideas and approaches, researches and documents best practices and identifies better opportunities for project implementation;
Identifies performance standards, monitors progress and intervenes at early stages for achievement of results.

Strategic Partnerships and Client Orientation:

Builds and sustains effective partnerships with the Government Agencies and main constituents, advocates effectively and communicates sensitively across different constituencies;
Focuses on impact and result for the client, builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Keeps abreast of new developments in the area of youth development and seeks to develop new partnerships to promote youth volunteerism.

Advocacy:

Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks;
Maintains a functioning network with a variety of stakeholders on youth volunteerism and support advocacy efforts of Department of Youth Affairs and UNV/UNDP;
Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments.

Knowledge and Skills:

Clear and dynamic understanding and knowledge of ongoing global and regional development issues and challenges;
Clear knowledge of the workings of NSS and NYKS and other such networks of the government;
Abreast of new developments and challenges in the area of work;
Ability to produce high quality reports and knowledge products;
Ability to build strategic partnerships with a wide array of stakeholders on development cooperation;
Focuses on impact and result based management tools and quality assurance of the programme;
Ability to prioritize assignments and requirements, and multitask as needed;
Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work with people and multi sectoral teams to achieve results;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and responds positively to feedback;
Demonstrates excellent oral and written communication skills;
Usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point etc.).

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Post graduate/Master’s degree in Development Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, Project Management or related fields;
Additional specialization in youth development issues would be an advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years of relevant experience at the national or international level in development of which minimum 3 years experience in project management;
Experience of working on youth development and volunteerism;
Experience of working with government or international organizations will be preferred;
Hands on experience on economic and social development issues (policy and strategic) will be preferred;
Outstanding communication, interpersonal and presentation skills management and organizational skills;
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, (MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, etc.). Advanced knowledge of spread sheet, database and research packages will be an asset;
Familiarity with the working environment and professional standards of international organizations and national and state governments;
High quality reports and knowledge products (samples may be requested as reference);
Ability to work independently and under pressure.

Language:

Excellent command in spoken and written English and Hindi;
Excellent drafting and verbal communication skills.

Travel:

Willingness to travel.

Remuneration package is INR 96,008 /- per month (taxable). UNDP also offers additional benefits which include medical insurance coverage and limited pension reimbursement for contract holder and encourages work life balance.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selection is on merit.