Project Associate – Livelihood, SAMS, Mumbai, Maharashtra

1. POSITION VACANT: Project Associate – Livelihood, SAMS, Mumbai, Maharashtra

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:

Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra is the nodal department for overall policy, planning and coordination of programmes for development of Scheduled Tribes (STs). The department has accorded high priority and adopted multifaceted development strategies to promote socio-economic growth of the STs. Specific interventions are being implemented including implementation of protective legislations such as the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act. The programmes and schemes for tribal people are intended to support and supplement the efforts, primarily of other state departments to fill critical gaps within institutions and programmes, taking into account the situation of STs. These schemes comprising of economic, educational, and social development through institutional building, are administered by the line departments. Notwithstanding numerous developmental interventions, the STs continue to face developmental deficits with respect to health, education, livelihood, development infrastructure as well as other socio-economic indices, many of which are well below the national average.

The Tribal Development Department is committed to providing equitable access to opportunity for the tribal communities, through participatory approach and adoption of innovative methods including e-governance and increasing use of technology to provide strategic inputs into the development process. To accelerate the implementation of the development agenda for the tribal communities and strengthen the institutional delivery systems at the State and district level, it is important to strengthen the capacity and effectiveness of the officials and stakeholders to deliver on the issues related to tribal empowerment and create robust systems for monitoring and implementation of the tribal development schemes of the Central and State government.

The Department is working in collaboration with UNDP to fast-track development in difficult geographies inhabited by tribal populations, enhancing capacities of government functionaries and expanding opportunities for better livelihoods, health and education to vulnerable tribal communities.

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

UNDP proposes to engage a Project Associate-Livelihood to support the PMU at Tribal Development Department, Govt. of Maharashtra, in its livelihood initiatives and undertake research and propose a plan for livelihood enhancement of Tribal Communities in Maharashtra.

The Project Associate-Livelihood will be part of the Project Management Unit and will directly report to the Programme Lead, Tribal Development, UNDP, and project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Maharashtra. S/He will ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Maharashtra.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(1)    Undertake research, ideate, structure and propose a plan for livelihood enhancement of Tribal communities in different areas of the state like eco-tourism, MFP, agriculture and allied sectors.

(2)    Monitor and streamline existing projects of the department to identify core areas needed for skilling and vocational training specially for Tribal communities built in their culture.

(3)    Provide technical inputs for the Tribal Acceleration Plan specific to livelihoods and contribute to the development of concept notes, strategies, and plans on the status of tribal livelihoods in Maharashtra.

(4)    Support in designing business development plans and programmes, skill /technology improvement training to ensure sustainability of community-based institutions like, SHGs, women federations and producer groups.

(5)    Develop strategies for developing partnerships, convergence opportunities including value chain financing strategy monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to strengthen the corporation’s overall impact.

(6)    Assist in coordinating with NGOs, CSR and Line Departments for implementation of projects, and carry out market and commodity analysis, feasibility mapping to ensure better returns to primary producers.

(7)    Support in preparation in organize workshops, seminars and round tables to share project outputs with stakeholders involved.

(8)    Ensure that agencies report skill development trainings programme through online MIS system and generate analytical reports based on periodic visit to ensure quality of training.

(9)    Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming)

(10) The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with/or a Master's degree) in Social work, Rural Development, Rural Management, Agriculture, Fisheries, Veterinary Science, Forestry, Agri Business or a related field will be given due consideration.

Experience:

A minimum of 2 years (with a Masters's degree)

                                                                or

4 years’ experience (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience in the rural & tribal development sector is required.

Skills & Experience:

(1)    Demonstrated experience of working with on the protective legislation for Experience in the field of Tribal development, livelihood, innovations in governmental or non-governmental organizations.

(2)    Domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice, social inclusion and sustainable development.

(3)    Experience in Policy analysis and planning related to Tribal issues.

(4)    Experience of working with the Central Government/ State Government will be an added advantage.

(5)    Experience of working with government/ FPOs and or industry partners for building forward and Backward linkages.

(6)    Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.

(7)    Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues.

(8)    Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.

(9)    Residents of Maharashtra will have an added advantage.

Competencies:

(1)  Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

(2)  Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally

(3)  Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

(4)  Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results

(5)  Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

5. LANGUAGES:

(1) Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, and Marathi is essential.

(2) A good working knowledge of local language of the duty station will be needed.

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

7. CONSULTANCY FEE:

The monthly consultancy fee for the position shall be commensurate with the Government norms, as applicable for the position. 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. 

9. LOCATION: Mumbai, Maharashtra

10. REFERENCE: PA-LD-MH

11. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
B-18, Sector-06, Gautam Buddh Nagar,
NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh -201301
Phone Nos.: 0120- 4161355/56

www.sams.co.in | www.samsconsult.com

12. APPLICATION PROCESS:

Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to upload their application by or before December 31, 2025.