Project Officer-Programme and Partnerships

The current GOI-UNDP Country Programme Action Plan (2018-2022) envisages UNDP support to fast track implementation of government programmes at state and local government level in order to support governments to improve last mile service delivery. In order to provide demand based technical support and assistance for capacity development in line with the needs of the government, UNDP had decided to expand its outreach in the states.
UNDP has started working in the State of Karnataka on SDGs, Skill development and mutually agreed sectors of interest. It is planned to widen the operations in the State of Karnataka in partnership with the government to support the state to meet the national development agenda. The State office is now in the process of drawing up specific plans of action with time bound targets and milestones in discussion with various line departments. In order to support the State Focal Point in this initiative at the state level, UNDP requires the services of the Project officer in programme and partnership building to be based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
The Project Officer – Programme and Partnership will coordinate efforts with the Programme and Operations Units in Karnataka state and India Country Office for building linkages with the UNDP programme Pillars and advancing the SDGs. The incumbent is also expected to provide technical inputs and contribute to UNDP’s state engagement strategy, resource mobilization and knowledge Management. The incumbent will be will perform duties under the direct supervision of UNDP state project head and State Outreach / Inclusive Growth Unit in Country Office. Other important duties and responsibilities are indicated below:
1. Engages in partnership building and resource mobilization of UNDP programme pillars,
• Analysis and research of information on funding windows and any other potential sources, preparation of substantive briefs on possible opportunities for project finance and co-finance in particular with a focus on private sector, financial institutions and Government cost-sharing.
• Lead discussions for resource mobilization by preparing the background analysis, partner consultations, and organize high-level meetings to facilitate a closer cooperation with Government/Private sector/Foundations/bi-lateral and multilateral agencies.
• Coordination of activities and communications with all relevant stakeholders to build and strengthen existing strengthen relationships with partners and relevant government counterparts.
• Identification of capacity building and institutional development needs and implementation of appropriate interventions to enhance capacity and skills in the country for programme/project development and resources mobilization.
• Develop and support implementation of UNDP’s strategy, making the business case for a closer private sector engagement focusing on both partnerships in CSR and core businesses.
• Lead in establishing and maintaining strategic contacts and association with relevant partners, follow-up proactively on engagement ideas and work closely with UNDP Programme Units.
• Contribution to the UNDP’s work in Karnataka.
2. Lead on the formulation, development, and design of new integrated development initiatives
• Lead thorough analysis and research of the country political, social and economic environment on the formulation and design of new integrated development initiatives in the areas of livelihoods, inclusion, SDG’s and UNDP Programme pillars.
• Prepare substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents, which direct and guide UNDP support interventions in Karnataka.
• Collaborate closely with the Government and Private Sector counterparts to identify new project ideas in line with the UNDP’s priorities, initiate project concepts, lead the consultations on project formulation and agreement.
• Draft concept notes, project documents, project briefs, proposals, presentations for further discussion with clients and donors.
• Facilitate outreach and partnership development in identified sectors and programme areas and work with the programme units to formalize subsequent project proposals
• Coordinate closely with Country Office State Outreach and Inclusive Growth team, governmental and other institutions to ensure an effective formulation process leading to the approval of the projects
3. Provides oversight and management of initiatives and programmes:
• Effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools in project management, establishment of management targets and monitoring achievement of results.
• Facilitate the State team to manage the Atlas as defined and participation in various process including recruitment, finance management, action plan preparation etc,
• Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions; follow-up on audit recommendations and other.
• Preparation and contribution to the regular reports on outputs and outcomes as required including AWP, Prodoc, M&E reporting etc.
4. Ensures facilitation of knowledge generation and management through:
• Formulate and develop best lessons learnt products, tools, pitch documents/communication Collaterals,
• Provide quality assurance of knowledge products with relevance for UNDP’s work on livelihoods, inclusion, SDG’s, etc
• Identify sources of information related to policy-driven issues and quality contribution to knowledge networks regionally and globally to support the provision of quality advisory services and facilitation of knowledge building and management.
• Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual report / result on outputs and outcomes.
• Coordinate and support the organization of advocacy activities, capacity building and campaigns events, trainings, workshops, knowledge products.
• Support UNDP Project / activities in Karnataka
Competencies
Required skills and competencies • Significant working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions;
• Sound knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations, policies, procedures and practices.
• Experience in implementing large scale development or government programmes.
• Good communication, interpersonal and presentation skills, with an ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Establish, build and sustain effective relationships, partnerships and alliances, advocate effectively and communicate sensitively.
• Identifies problems and propose solutions.
• Demonstrates extremely strong influencing and facilitation skills.
• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things.
• Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.
• Works as a team member.
Desired additional skills and competencies 1. Building and managing strategic partnerships
• Identifies common interests and goals and carries out join initiatives with partners
• Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationship, partnerships and alliances with private sector, foundations and other agencies
• Makes effective use of resources and comparative advantage to strengthen partnerships
2. Advocacy
• Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues
• Uses the opportunity to bring forward and disseminate materials for advocacy work.
3. Client Orientation
• Demonstrates an understanding of client / partner / donor perspective and strives for high quality client-oriented services
• Establishes smooth relationship and enabling environment between clients and service providers
4. Leadership and Management
• Is results driven and solution oriented, is able to work under pressure
• Ability to identify problems, propose solutions and take immediate corrective measures
• Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
5. Results based management
• Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals
• Demonstrates ability to generate innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations
• Ability to work independently and with minimum supervision
Required Skills and Experience
Min. Academic Education
Master’s Degree or equivalent in International Relations, Public / Business Administration, sustainable development, Finance, Communication, Economics, Marketing, developmental studies, Social Sciences or related field.
Min. years of relevant work experience
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience at the national and international level in designing programmes/providing operations and management advisory and support services and/or managing staff and operational systems.
• Proven experience and evidence in resource mobilization and partnership development with exposure to CSR.
• Excellent communication and networking skills specially with the Private sector.
• Proven track record in providing policy advice and technical assistance in the areas of inclusion, livelihoods and housing at mid- or senior management level.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages. Strong ability to analyze and visualize data in easy- to-grasp ways.
Desirable:
• Significant working experience in Government, Private Sector or relevant multilateral institutions.
• Sound understanding of the nuances of resource mobilization and partnership management.
• Sound knowledge of UNDP rules and regulations, policies, procedures and practices.
• Experience in implementing large scale development or government programmes.
Required Language(s)
Fluency in written and oral English and knowledge of the working language of the duty station is a must.