Project Coordinator, SAMS, New Delhi
1. POSITION VACANT: Project Coordinator, SAMS, New Delhi
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.
For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. With projects 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 supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy. The Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity pillar of ACE is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The programme/projects under the pillar have been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), National and State level planning for land restoration and biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration through enhanced restoration, promotion of nature-based livelihoods and One Health approach.
UNDP is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of a GEF -7 project “Sustainable management and restoration of degraded landscapes for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in India”. The project aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by creating additional carbon sinks through an ecosystem-based approach for restoring degraded agricultural, forest, pastoral lands, and surface water bodies. It involves enabling institutional frameworks and policies for integrated sustainable land management practices and up-scaling landscape-wide practices in 3 states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh contributing to the national target of restoring 26 Mha of degraded lands by 2030.
The project being implemented over a period of five years will lead to the following outcomes: (1) Enhanced national, state and district-level enabling frameworks incentivizing SLM practices and supporting participatory multi-sector platforms to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate mitigation; (2) Integrated participatory landscape design and financing models established in support of avoidance, reduction and reversal of land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and negative impacts of climate change to generates multiple sustained environmental and economic benefits; (3) Improved capacity for LDN monitoring, assessment and reporting to UNCCD in support of LDN target setting and evaluation of capacities of partners; allowing government institutions and other agencies to better document, analyse and disseminate effective intervention strategies for restoring productive landscapes and replication of best practices at national and state level, and at international level through improved South-South cooperation, knowledge and adaptive management.
3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):
The Project Coordinator will co-ordinate overall project implementation, ensuring alignment between national, state, and field-level activities. Facilitate communication among stakeholders, including NPMU, TAC, and state teams. Track progress, manage timelines, and support reporting and compliance requirements. Ensure smooth operationalisation of governance structures and timely delivery of outputs.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the National Project Manager, the Technical Expert- Project Coordinator will undertake the following responsibilities:
(1) Support operationalisation and functioning of the TAC: Facilitate onboarding of TAC members, coordinate engagements, and ensure smooth functioning of the Technical Advisory Committee.
(2) Act as the central coordination interface across stakeholders: Serve as a liaison between TAC, NPMU, SPMUs, UNDP, Ministry, and other stakeholders to ensure effective communication and coordination.
(3) Plan and organise TAC meetings and consultations: Coordinate meetings, workshops, and field visits, including preparation of agendas, background notes, and logistical arrangements.
(4) Prepare documentation and track action points: Draft minutes of meetings, action taken reports, briefs, and other documentation; track follow-up actions and ensure timely closure.
(5) Support project planning and progress tracking: Assist in preparation of work plans, timelines, and trackers; monitor progress against agreed milestones and flag delays.
(6) Facilitate integration across thematic components: Ensure coordination across different technical domains (forestry, agriculture, MIS, livelihoods) for coherent implementation.
(7) Support communication between technical experts and field teams: Enable effective flow of information between TAC experts and implementation teams to ensure clarity and alignment.
(8) Assist in reporting and review processes: Support preparation of periodic progress reports, briefs, and presentations for PSC/Project Board and UNDP.
(9) Coordinate inputs for Mid-Term Review and evaluations: Facilitate documentation, stakeholder consultations, and coordination during MTR and other evaluation exercises.
(10) Identify risks and support adaptive management: Track implementation challenges, flag risks, and support timely problem-solving and course correction measures.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
Master’s in Environmental Science, Social Sciences, NRM, Geography, Public Policy, or related field; 3–5 years’ experience in project coordination, preferably in environment or land restoration sectors.
Experience:
(1) Minimum 3–5 years of experience in project coordination, preferably in environment, NRM, or development sector projects.
(2) Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder initiatives, organizing meetings, and supporting project implementation.
(3) Experience working with government institutions, UN agencies, or development partners.
Required Skills:
(1) Strong organizational, documentation and coordination skills with attention to detail..
(2) Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
(3) Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and basic project tracking tools.
(4) Good communication skills for coordinating with diverse stakeholders.
(5) Ability to work effectively as part of a team and support senior project staff.
(6) Strong project management and coordination capabilities.
(7) Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
(8) Experience in environmental or development sector projects.
(9) Ability to manage timelines, budgets, and reporting processes.
(10) Problem-solving, multitasking, and organizational skills.
Skills and Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
(1) Strong project management, coordination, and organizational skills.
(2) Excellent documentation, reporting, and communication abilities.
(3) Ability to manage timelines, track progress, and facilitate collaboration across teams.
Core Competencies
(1) Results-oriented and accountable approach to work.
(2) Ability to adapt to evolving project needs.
(3) Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and scientific rigor in technical advice.
(4) Promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams.
(5) Maintains transparency and accountability in all advisory processes.
(6) Demonstrates commitment to inclusive, gender-sensitive development approaches.
(7) Strong project management, coordination, and organizational skills.
(8) Excellent documentation, reporting, and communication abilities.
(9) Ability to manage timelines, track progress, and facilitate collaboration across teams..
Languages:
(1) Excellent command in written and spoken English and Hindi.
5. CONSULTANCY FEE:
The total consultancy fee budgeted for this position is INR 40,000 per month, subject to the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated expertise. Applicable TDS will be deducted from the professional fees.
6. 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.
7. LOCATION: New Delhi
8. REFERENCE: PC-ND
9. 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
10. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to submit their applications on or before July 22, 2026
