Operations Associate (NPSA7)

Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
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 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 supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our 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.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP is currently working in various areas concerning sustainable development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, and sustainable energy, environment and resilience. The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation; disaster management and resilience; and access to clean and efficient energy.

While India is on track to achieve some of its NDC targets on emission intensity and non-fossil fuel-based energy installations, there remain significant bottlenecks to increasing diffusion of cutting-edge climate technology for the transition to low carbon pathways; and for building adaptive capacity of vulnerable communities to cope with climate change. Unavailability of climate finance further exacerbates the challenge towards achievement of NDCs and green recovery.

The Japan Supplementary Budget (JSB) project is a Govt of Japan supported programme being implemented by UNDP globally. The India component of JSB project on ‘Leveraging NDCs for Low Carbon Development Pathways’ aims to support India’s transition to a low carbon economy that ensures sustainable and inclusive growth, by creating livelihood provisions (green jobs) and building climate resilience of the vulnerable communities.

In India, the project will undertake strategic, sector-specific interventions in 12 states, including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

In line with the global objectives, the India country proposal has two main objectives:

Output 1: Enable adoption of efficient and clean energy solutions in the MSME and Green Livelihoods
Output 2: Enhance resilience of urban and rural communities through strengthening of institutional systems and supporting implementation of National Risk Mitigation Programmes

Duties and Responsibilities
The Operations Associate will provide dedicated support to the Project Management Unit (PMU) and support the Project Manager in ensuring effective expenditure and reporting of all project activities. The incumbent will support implementation of the operational, administrative, and financial commitments under the project. S/he would also support the PMU in facilitating monitoring and evaluation of project activities against the indicators framed for reporting progress.

Support the National Project Manager and Project Management Unit towards implementation of the project, including using the ERP system for annual budget inputs, expenditure tracking and making timely payments.
Facilitate coordination with various operations units such as Finance, Procurement, HR, Administration and Security to meet the project's operational requirements and ensure compliance with UNDP regulations (PoPP).
Coordinate the implementation of procurement strategy in consultation with the project management unit as per the annual work plans. Support towards tendering processes (advertisement of RFP/RFQ) and facilitate evaluation, contracting and other requirements pertaining to the contracting of vendors in accordance with the corporate standards.
Support towards tracking of deliverables and payment disbursements for the vendors contracted under the project for different activities/services/goods.
Facilitate in the recruitment processes of consultants and other experts as per the requirement of the projects in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations. Ensure appropriate use of different contractual modalities and contract management.
Assist in analysis and identification of project-level operational and financial challenges and alert the Project Manager and the programme team and provide necessary/required administrative support to resolve them.
Assist in Project Audits and Reviews as per UNDP and donor requirements, including Quality Assurance Assessment during implementation of the various project activities
Responsible for providing all logistics support towards organizing of workshops and training programmes
Facilitate and support towards travel of Project Management Unit colleagues
Any other responsibility related to the project assigned by the Supervisor(s).

Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

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

Business/ Project Management

Knowledge generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge document.
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
Administration and operation: Events management (including workshops, trainings and meetings): Ability to manage events, including venue identification, accommodation, logistics, catering, transportation, and cash disbursements, etc.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

High School or Bachelors' degree in Operations /Finance/ Administration or any other closely related field will be given due consideration

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant experience post High School or 4 years post Bachelors in procurement and financial management related to programme support services.
Strong understanding and demonstrated work experience in handling finance and administration processes is required
Understanding of financial and/ or administrative processes of UNDP and/or international agencies will be an added advantage
Ability to interpret, resolve and report on operational challenges
Sound knowledge of financial rules, regulations and accounting procedures.
Ability to promote accountability and resource based management
Good understanding of audit requirements and ensure compliance to the audit requirements.
Documentation, communication and interpersonal skills
Establishes priorities for self, schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP's mission, vision and values.

Language requirements:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and Hindi is essential.

Remuneration starting at INR 12,38,819 (Annual) / INR 1,03, 234 (Monthly) as per the scale depending on qualifications and experience. The remuneration is excluding 8.33% pension amount paid over and above the salary.