Project Associate – Research and Documentation, SAMS, Mumbai, Maharashtra

1. POSITION VACANT: Project Associate – Research and Documentation, 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 - Research and Documentation to support the PMU at Tribal Development Department, Govt. of Maharashtra to assist in the research, data collection and analysis based on need assessment of different stakeholders in the Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra.

The Project Associate - Research and Documentation will be part of the Project Management Unit and will work under the overall supervision of the PMU State Coordinator and in close collaboration with 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)    Support in conceptualization of research ideas in emerging areas that are aligned with the State Tribal Development Department mandate and prepare concept note and coordinate with appropriate agencies to conduct the research.

(2)    Assist in facilitation of knowledge building and management, producing and disseminating lessons learnt from the project and support in promotion of cross-project, cross-unit knowledge.

(3)    Provide support in drafting of articles, press releases, case studies, human interest stories and other advocacy/information materials.

(4)    Support in reviewing relevant sources of information, such as such as existing literature, government schemes and documents and relevant regulatory frameworks and documents regarding various schemes being implemented by MoTA and Tribal Development Department, Government of Maharashtra.

(5)    Coordinate and facilitate stakeholder engagements and consultations with the State Governments to advance the objectives and implementation of initiatives under the Tribal Development Department.

(6)    Support in developing digital tools and mechanisms to capture and disseminate results/findings from research/studies being undertaken by TRTI and other agencies supported by the State Tribal Development Department.

(7)    Assist in reviewing and analysis of documents/data sets to generate insights that strengthen programme design, implementation, and monitoring within the concerned Programme Division.

(8)    Support in organizing cross learning events, knowledge dissemination, capacity building workshops etc. and in preparation of knowledge products.

(9)    Support the monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge dissemination processes to capture and share evidence, lessons, and outcomes from communication campaigns and outreach activities with relevant stakeholders.           

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

(11) 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:

Secondary education is required.

                                     or

A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in social science, social work, Rural development, Tribal or Ethnic Studies, Sociology, Economics, anthropology or related field will be given due consideration. 

Experience:

Minimum 4 years (with Bachelor's degree)

                                                 or

7 years (with Secondary education) of work experience in the rural & tribal development sector.

Skills:

(1)    Prior experience in research and documentation and preparation of reports.

(2)    Prior experience in research and analysis of Policy and programmes related to Tribal development.

(3)    Working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions.

(4)    Knowledge of MIS and data analysis.

(5)    Proven Research and writing skills.

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

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

(8)    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)  Knowledge Generation: Abilit to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for conte t, or responsive to a stated need

(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-RD-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.