1. POSITION VACANT: Project Officer, Remote, 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:

The Scheduled Tribe (ST) population which constituted approximately 8.6 percent of India’s population in 2011 is a highly heterogenous group. Different tribal communities vary in cultural norms and belief, customs, languages, and levels of development. They are spread across India and often constitute a minority in the geography that they inhabit. The central belt of India from east to west in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra has larger concentration of the Scheduled Tribe population. The north-eastern region of India is house to around 12 per cent of the Scheduled Tribe population of India.

Aligned to the Agenda 2030 principle of ‘Leave no one behind’, or the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), UNDP India has comprehensive programmes for tribal development. It (i) supports the national government in policy, planning and monitoring of central sector schemes, (ii) collaborates with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to strengthen the implementation of the PM-JANAM Mission, and (iii) provides technical support to the tribal welfare department in select states by strengthening service delivery and implementation of schemes of the state tribal departments in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Tripura and Andhra Pradesh.

Common Ground, an initiative anchored by Living Landscapes, leverages the ecological commons (community forests, pasture lands and water bodies) to address linked crises of livelihoods, climate, and equity, through a system wide collaborative action framework. It aims to do so by (i) strengthening ‘effectiveness of grassroots actors and  channel voices of local communities, women in particular.’ (ii) embedding ‘ecological and social considerations in policies, programmes, and investments.’ (iii) promoting ‘space for equitable negotiation between rural communities and markets’, and (iv) building ‘a social infrastructure of responsive actors and institutions, by catalysing supportive relationships between them, aligning resource flows, and enabling knowledge systems.

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

UNDP proposes to engage a Project Officer to provide technical, coordination, and implementation support for strengthening the effective implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, with a particular focus on capacity building, knowledge development, digitalization, and partnership management at national and state level.

This is a home-based position and the Project Officer will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Lead Tribal Development, and the overall supervision of the Chief Advisor, UNDP. S/he will ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives with other team members.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Technical Support for FRA Implementation and Capacity Building

• Provide technical and advisory support to the UNDP Country Office and State PMUs of Chattisgarh, Tripura and any other upcoming States to strengthen planning, implementation, and monitoring mechanisms under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, including addressing implementation gaps, monitoring requirements, and post-rights convergence opportunities.
• Support the establishment and operationalization of State-level FRA Cells, as and when required, in coordination with relevant departments and stakeholders.
• Design, support, and coordinate the delivery of training programmes, capacity-building modules, and learning materials on FRA for government officials, field functionaries, and other relevant stakeholders.

Knowledge Management and Digitalization

• Support the preparation of policy briefs, analytical studies, knowledge products, presentations, guidelines, and legal clarifications related to FRA implementation, post-rights convergence, and broader tribal governance issues.
• Support the conceptualization, design, and development of digital platforms and portals related to tribal development and FRA monitoring, in coordination with technical partners and government counterparts.
• Contribute to documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and evidence-based insights to inform policy and programme improvements

Partnership Coordination and Donor Reporting

• Support institutional capacity-building initiatives with donors, partners and other relevant

collaborations.

• Coordinate and liaise with donors and partners on a day-to-day basis for operational requirements, planning, and follow-up actions.
• Participate in and support meetings, consultations, and working groups and other partnership platforms, including working groups, as relevant.
• Support preparation and submission of quarterly progress reports and other donor reporting requirements, in coordination with UNDP teams and partners.
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming)
• 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:

Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Social Science, development management, rural development, forest governance, social work, public policy is required.

Or

A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in similar subjects in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:
A minimum of 2 years (with a Bachelor's degree) of work experience in the rural & tribal development sector is required.

Required Skills:

• Demonstrated experience of working with on the protective legislation for tribal communities (Forest Rights Act, PESA etc.)
• Good understanding of tribal development related schemes and legislations.
• Domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion.
• Experience in Policy analysis and planning related to Tribal issues.
• Experience of working with the Central Government/ State Government is required.
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
• Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues.

Core Competencies:

• 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.
• Knowledge Facilitation: Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
• Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources.
• 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.
• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making.

5. LANGUAGES:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, and Hindi 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 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: Remote

10. REFERENCE: PO-HB

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 applications by or before July 06, 2026.