1. POSITION VACANT: Skill & MSME Development Associate

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:

In Andhra Pradesh, Scheduled Castes (SCs) constitute a significant share of the population, accounting for 16.41% as per the Census of India 2011 (post-bifurcation data for the present state), representing roughly 82 lakh persons. This sizeable demographic presence highlights their central role in the state’s social and cultural fabric. Yet, development indicators reveal continuing disparities. According to the Government of Andhra Pradesh (Socio-Economic Survey 2020–21), the overall literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh stands at 67.41%, compared to 64.47% among SC communities, reflecting a gap of about three percentage points. Gender disparities are sharper: Census 2011 data show overall female literacy at 59.15%, while SC female literacy is lower at 54.44%, underscoring persistent educational disadvantage among SC women.

Employment trends further point to structural inequities. Although workforce participation among SCs is significant—driven largely by engagement in agriculture and informal labour—the concentration in low-paid, insecure occupations limits economic mobility and access to social protection. SC women, youth, and persons with disabilities experience compounded barriers in education, employment, and access to services, while rural–urban disparities further widen development gaps. Limited availability of updated, disaggregated data and insufficiently targeted approaches within existing systems constrain efforts to effectively address these intra-group inequities.

Together, these patterns indicate that while SC communities form an integral and substantial segment of Andhra Pradesh’s population, sustained and evidence-based interventions in literacy, skill development, and equitable employment opportunities remain essential to bridging long-standing social and economic gaps.

Despite efforts by both central and state governments through welfare schemes and targeted programs, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to opportunities for SC populations. While some progress has been made in reducing social exclusion and improving law enforcement responsiveness to crimes against SCs, the broader development gap in terms of income, education and socio-economic participation remains evident. To bridge this gap and accelerate inclusive development in Andhra Pradesh, a well-structured financial partnership with the Government is essential to amplify interventions that promote education, skill building, economic empowerment, and social equity for Scheduled Castes across the state.

To ensure the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of targeted interventions for Scheduled Caste development, the establishment of a dedicated Technical Project Management Unit (PMU) is critical. A PMU will provide specialized expertise in project design, financial management, and impact assessment, bridging the gap between policy objectives and ground-level execution. It will enable systematic coordination among multiple stakeholders, including government departments, local bodies, and community organizations, ensuring that resources are optimally utilized and outcomes are measurable. Furthermore, the PMU will strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks, facilitate timely reporting, and support evidence-based decision making, thereby significantly enhancing the effectiveness, transparency, and sustainability of development programs for SC communities in Andhra Pradesh.

SCOPE – Scheduled Caste Operational Coordination & Empowerment is envisioned as a strategic institutional reform initiative to strengthen the governance architecture of Scheduled Caste development in Andhra Pradesh by embedding integrated planning, cross-departmental coordination, data-driven decision-making, and accountable implementation systems. The project seeks to enhance operational efficiency, build institutional and human capacities, and foster data-driven decision-making to ensure targeted interventions achieve maximum social and economic impact. By promoting partnerships across government departments, civil society, and other stakeholders, SCOPE aims to create a sustainable framework for inclusive growth, accountability, and continuous learning in SC-focused development initiatives.

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

It is proposed to engage a Skill & MSME Development Associate to support the project management unit (PMU) at the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Caste Cooperative Financial Corporation (APSCCFC), Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, to provide technical and strategic support in strengthening skill development ecosystems, enterprise promotion, and MSME promotion for SC beneficiaries.

The Skill & MSME Development Associate will be part of the Project Management Unit and s/he will directly report to the Project Lead-SCOPE PMU and will work under the overall supervision of Managing Director, APSCCFC, Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. S/He will ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Duties and Responsibilities:
(1) Support in guiding the planning, coordination, and monitoring of skill development and MSME-related interventions for SC communities.

(2) Ensure alignment of skilling and MSME interventions with state priorities and relevant national frameworks.

(3) Manage and strengthen skill development programs, vocational training, and certification initiatives for SC beneficiaries.

(4) Contribute to development of annual action plans and operational strategies for skill and enterprise promotion initiatives.

(5) Support identification of market-relevant trades and emerging sectors to enhance employability outcomes.

(6) Facilitate partnerships with training institutions, certification bodies, industry associations, and private sector employers.

(7) Oversee MSME-related activities, including enterprise promotion, incubation support, and strengthening of small businesses owned by SC entrepreneurs.

(8) Provide technical guidance on banking processes, credit access, and financial linkages for entrepreneurship and MSME programs.

(9) Support improved access to institutional finance through coordination with banks, financial institutions, and AP SC Cooperative Finance Corporation.

(10) Support targeted capacity-building initiatives for SC women in financial literacy, entrepreneurship development, business management, and digital literacy.

(11) Promote access to markets, digital platforms, and e-commerce ecosystems to enhance income generation opportunities

(12) Facilitate cluster-based enterprise models, value chain linkages, and market integration.

(13) Support entrepreneurship development initiatives, including business planning, compliance guidance, and growth strategies.

(14) Develop and strengthen indicators to measure employability, enterprise sustainability, income enhancement, and economic independence.

(15) 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:
(1) Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Rural Development, Skill development, MSME promotion, enterprise development, Public Policy, or related field is required.

Or

(2) 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:

(1) Minimum 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of work experience in government schemes, public sector programs or relevant related field is required.

Skills & Competencies:

(1) Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

(2) 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

(3) Partnerships management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and other in-line with UNDP strategy and policies.

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

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

Required Skill:
(1) Strong understanding of skill ecosystems, MSME policy frameworks, and entrepreneurship promotion.

(2) Experience in convergence planning and stakeholder coordination.

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

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

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

(8) Residents of Andhra Pradesh will have an added advantage.

5. LANGUAGES:

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

(2) A good working knowledge of local language (Telugu) 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 Rs. INR 90,000 PM. 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: Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh

10. REFERENCE: SMDA-SDG-AP

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, using the link by or before April 24, 2026.