1. POSITION VACANT: Project Associate - Implementation, Hyderabad, SAMS-UNDP

2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development - from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment and resilience. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to support the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on the prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:  

·       Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs

·       Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized

·       Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability

For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india

PROJECT BACKGROUND:

India’s rapidly expanding electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sector is a key driver of

economic growth, digital transformation, and industrial development. However, the sector’s

largely linear production and consumption model-characterized by high material intensity, short

product lifecycles, and limited recovery of secondary resources has resulted in growing resource

inefficiencies and a significant increase in electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste contains

hazardous substances such as heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and other

toxic chemicals, and in India a substantial share continues to be managed by the informal

sector using unsafe and environmentally unsound practices, posing serious risks to human

health, environmental quality, and long-term sustainability.

Transitioning the electronics sector towards a circular economy offers a strategic pathway to

address these challenges holistically. Beyond improving environmentally sound management of

e-waste, circularity enables more efficient use of materials, recovery of critical and precious

resources, longer product lifetimes through repair, refurbishment and reuse, and reduced

dependence on virgin raw materials. As such, addressing e-waste challenges is not only an

environmental imperative but also an economic and industrial opportunity to strengthen

domestic value chains, enhance resource security, promote innovation, and create safe, formal,

and inclusive livelihoods across the electronics ecosystem.

UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is

implementing the project namely “Accelerating transition to a circular economy in India’s

electrical and electronic sector through sustainable integrated approaches” with funding from

the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The project is a five-year initiative and aims to integrate

circular economy principles in the electrical and electronic sector by implementing measures

throughout the entire value chain of products till their end-of-life (including recycling and

disposal) through the proposed interventions:

·     Strengthen the institutional mechanisms and develop knowledge-based interventions including design of innovative economic models.

·     Improve practices, systems and technologies for the EEE Manufacturing and its Supply

    Chain through prevention methods and socio-technical ESM models/pilots aimed for future replication.

·     Improve the e-waste management ecosystem by deploying investments, prevention measures, infrastructures and technologies for POPs and UPOPs and heavy metals

     emissions/releases reduction in e-waste processing.

·     Make information and knowledge accessible, raise awareness and build networks and

    partnerships to facilitate knowledge sharing among the EEE sector stakeholders,

    national and subnational Governments, and link national action to international/global

    programmes on e-waste.

The Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET) in Hyderabad is the implementing partner of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) for the project. To support effective implementation, a Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established in CMET Hyderabad to support day-to-day coordination, implementation, monitoring and reporting. The Project Associate – implementation under the guidance of the Project Manager will support implementation and coordination of project activities to ensure results are tracked, evidence based and aligned with UNDP and GEF requirements.

3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):

The Project Associate – Implementation will support the day-to-day execution of project activities by coordinating field-level implementation, stakeholder engagement, logistics, and operational follow-up. The role focuses on ensuring that project interventions - particularly pilots and demonstrations are implemented efficiently and in line with approved plans.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Under the overall supervision of the National Project Coordinator, Ministry of Electronics and

Information Technology, the Project Associate will undertake the following responsibilities:

1.   Support project implementation

·       Support implementation of project activities in accordance with the approved Project Document and Annual Work Plans.

·       Assist in coordinating pilots, demonstrations, studies, workshops, and consultations across different project components.

·       Track activity timelines and implementation progress and flag delays or issues to the Project Manager.

2.   Field Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement

·       Coordinate with state governments, industry stakeholders, recyclers, OEMs, CSOs, technical institutions, and service providers involved in project activities.

·       Support field visits, site assessments, stakeholder consultations, and pilot implementation activities.

·       Maintain regular follow-up with implementing partners and service providers to ensure timely delivery of outputs.

3.   Operational & Logistical Support

·       Support logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, training programmes, and field activities.

·       Assist in procurement-related processes by preparing documentation, tracking deliverables, and coordinating with CMET and UNDP operations teams.

·       Support engagement and coordination of consultants, vendors, and contractors, including monitoring progress against agreed scopes.

4.   Documentation & Reporting Support

·       Maintain organized records of implementation activities, including meeting notes, site visit reports, and correspondence.

·       Provide inputs to progress reports and implementation updates, as required by the Project Manager.

·       Support preparation of presentations, briefing notes, and background materials related to implementation activities.

5.   Compliance and Safeguards Support

·       Support compliance with UNDP Social and Environmental Standards (SES) and gender-responsive approaches during implementation of field activities and pilots.

·       Assist in providing documentation and information required for audits, reviews and evaluations.

6.   Other Responsibilities

·       Perform any other tasks assigned by the Project Manager to support effective project delivery.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, management, public policy, sustainability, social sciences or a related field.

Experience:

·       Minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant professional experience in project implementation, coordination, field-based programmes, or operational roles, preferably in environment, sustainability, waste management or development projects.

·       Experience of working with government institutions, stakeholders, or technical agencies will be an asset.

Required Skills:

·       Strong coordination and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple activities simultaneously.

·       Experience supporting field-level implementation and stakeholder engagement.

·       Good communication and interpersonal skills for working with diverse partners.

·       Ability to prepare basic reports, meeting notes, and implementation updates.

·       Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

·       Willingness to travel for project-related field activities, as required.

Core Competencies:

·       Results-oriented and proactive approach to work.

·       Ability to work effectively in a team and support senior staff.

·       Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic project environment.

·       Commitment to quality, accountability, and timely delivery of outputs.

·       Sensitivity to gender, social, and environmental considerations.

5. LANGUAGES:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.

6. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: Twelve months (Renewable based on performance and other factors)

7. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position is budgeted at INR 70,546/-. The professional fee will be subject to withholding taxes, as applicable.

8. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:

The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement for a period of one year. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project. 

09. LOCATION: Hyderabad, Telangana

10. REFERENCE: PAI-HYD

11. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612

www.sams.co.in

12. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to upload their applications by or before 03 July 2026.