1. POSITION VACANT: Project Associate, New Delhi, 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.

MeitY is the Implementing Partner and provides strategic policy leadership and oversight, while

a Project Management Unit (PMU) hosted at CMET is responsible for day-to-day

implementation. The Project Associate based in MeitY will support internal coordination,

documentation, and follow-up within the Ministry, ensuring smooth information flow between

MeitY, the PMU at CMET, and UNDP.

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

The Project Associate will provide coordination, documentation, and administrative support to

MeitY for effective oversight and implementation of the project. The role focuses on facilitating

communication, tracking actions and approvals, supporting governance processes, and

ensuring alignment between MeitY, the PMU, and UNDP.

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.   Coordination and Liaison

·       Support coordination between MeitY, the PMU at CMET, UNDP, and other

relevant stakeholders on project-related matters.

·       Facilitate timely exchange of information, correspondence, and follow-up on

decisions and action points.

2.   Documentation and Reporting Support

·       Assist in preparing and consolidating briefing notes, background papers,

presentations, and official communications for MeitY leadership.

·       Maintain organized records of project-related correspondence, approvals, and

documentation at the Ministry level.

3.   Support to Governance and Reviews

·       Assist in organizing Project Steering Committee (PSC), Technical Advisory

Committee (TAC), and other review meetings from the Ministry’s side.

·       Prepare meeting materials, record minutes, and track follow-up actions related to

governance decisions.

4.   Tracking and Follow-Up

·       Track progress of key project milestones, deliverables, and approvals requiring

MeitY action.

·       Follow up with stakeholders to ensure timely responses and decisions.

5.   Administrative and Logistical Support

·       Support logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops, and official

engagements involving MeitY under the project.

·       Assist with processing of files, notes, and approvals in accordance with MeitY

procedures.

6.   Other Responsibilities

·       Perform any other tasks assigned to National Project Coordinator, MeitY to

support effective project coordination and oversight.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Bachelor degree in public policy, management, social sciences, engineering, Science, environmental studies, or a related field.

Experience:

·       Minimum 5 years of relevant professional experience in e-waste management, solid waste management, circular economy, environmental management, or related technical areas.

·       Experience supporting technical implementation of development projects, preferably with government institutions, international organizations, or donor-funded programmes, is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

·       Strong technical understanding of e-waste management systems, including collection, recycling, treatment, disposal, and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

·       Ability to review, analyze, and synthesize technical studies, policies, and guidelines and translate them into practical project inputs.

·       Experience in technical coordination with multiple stakeholders, including government counterparts, technical institutions, private sector actors, and

consultants.

·       Familiarity with national environmental regulations and relevant international frameworks and best practices related to hazardous waste and circular economy.

·       Ability to support results-based planning, monitoring, and reporting, including tracking technical milestones and deliverables.

·       Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting technical notes, reports, and presentations.

·       Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint); ability to work with technical data and documentation.

·       High standards of professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to work independently under guidance.

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: New Delhi

10. REFERENCE: PA-DL

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.