Job Description
Job Purpose and Organizational Context:
This assignment is part of a collaborative initiative being implemented by the United Nations (UN) system facilitated through UNOPS, UNDP, UNICEF, and other UN agencies under the coordination of the UN Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO). According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 1.3 billion people or 16% of the global population experience a significant disability today. In India, there are 2.68 crore Persons with Disabilities according to the National Census 2011 i.e. 2.21 percent of the total population in India is disabled. It is well known that persons with disabilities face exclusion and understanding the detail and causes of exclusion is crucial to achieving inclusion. But this cannot be done without good quality, comprehensive data. The availability of valid and reliable data is critical in order to develop and evaluate policies and programmes being implemented by Governments at various stages. The data on disability is extremely important for ensuring the empowerment of persons with disabilities and to protect them against discrimination on the grounds of their disability. However, measuring disability is a complex phenomenon as the definitions of disability vary because of the evolving concept of disability and the various approaches for disability identification. Consultations organized by United Nations and facilitated by Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) in various regions, highlighted the imperative for advocating disability-disaggregated data, dignified social security measures encompassing additional disability-related expenses, and the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk reduction and climate justice initiatives. Consequently, this collaborative initiative aims to conduct a research study on disability inclusion, focusing on the socio-economic status of persons with disabilities, while exploring the aforementioned parameters in depth.
In order to oversee the inter-agency research endeavour and provide comprehensive technical support, UNDP is seeking to hire a Programme Manager for the project's duration. As part of the team, the Programme Manager will facilitate project coordination and offer overarching technical guidance from the standpoint of UN partner agencies. This role is inherently inter-agency and cross-sectoral, demanding close collaboration with diverse teams across agencies. In particular, the incumbent will be accountable for supporting the implementation of the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS) and the country action plan, with a specific emphasis on advancing the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities, alongside prioritizing accessibility as outlined in the action plan.
Summary Of Key Functions
The role involves providing programmatic support and internal coordination to ensure effective implementation of disability inclusion initiatives. This includes facilitating recruitment, training, and project activities; offering technical guidance on gender-sensitive disability inclusion; developing Terms of Reference for technical studies, overseeing assessments and evaluations; and fostering partnerships with relevant stakeholders. Additionally, the role involves establishing coordination mechanisms, monitoring project progress, managing budgets, and ensuring timely reporting. Internally, the role supports UN-wide disability inclusion initiatives, coordinates inter-agency efforts, integrates disability considerations into core UN processes, and collaborates with civil society and governmental entities to advance disability rights.
Duties And Responsibilities
Programmatic Support:
- Facilitate the recruitment of personnel, training, and project activities initiation, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing activities of the implementation partner, team members and consultants, as may be recruited under the project to ensure timely delivery. Coordinate with national team and other state teams under the project to track project delivery, share lessons and experiences.
- Provide guidance and advice on gender-sensitive disability inclusion, and overall technical guidance throughout the research design, survey implementation, and data analysis. This includes coordinating technical input from partner agencies and organizations of persons with disabilities to ensure comprehensive guidance.
- Supervise baseline assessments, mid-term evaluations, and regular reviews to ensure desired outcomes are attained, and provide prompt reporting to the delegated authority.
- Foster partnerships and collaborations with relevant line ministries/departments, academic and research institutions engaged in disability research and rights and ensure engagement with organizations of persons with disabilities at all stages of the research.
- Establish multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms, including the technical advisory committee, comprising representatives from relevant central ministries, state ministries and departments, UN agencies, NGOs, and academic/research institutions, to facilitate dialogue and coordination for the research.
- Plan project activities and monitor progress against the project results framework and approved annual workplan. Conduct quarterly review meetings with partners and field visits to monitor project implementation progress and undertake corrective actions as necessary. Prepare quarterly project progress reports and conduct project review meetings, providing requisite information and inputs for accurate and timely reporting to the technical advisory committee, donors, and other key stakeholders. Monitor and manage financial budgets in accordance with internal control frameworks and/or UN regulations.
- Ensure timely preparation and submission of all donor partner and other reporting requirements (both narrative and financial), maintaining high-quality standards.
Internal Coordination
- Support the UN Country Team's commitment to and implementation of UN-wide disability inclusion initiatives, including the UN Disability Inclusion Strategy (UNDIS), ensuring completion of appropriate reporting processes.
- Coordinate the inter-agency coordination mechanism on disability inclusion, facilitating information and best practices sharing, identifying key opportunities, challenges, and barriers, including knowledge-sharing opportunities.
- Collaborate closely with the Operations Management Team (OMT) to ensure the integration of disability inclusion into the OMT workplan aligned with BOS 2.0.
- Coordinate the involvement of civil society representatives/organizations of persons with disabilities in discussions on planning, implementation, and assessment of activities within the inter-agency mechanism.
- Facilitate the integration of disability considerations into core UN processes (both programmatic and operational areas), including strategic planning, workplan development, programme management, resource mobilization, global and regional platforms, communications, and staff capacity development.
- Support the development and implementation of joint programmes on disability rights and inclusion.
- Liaise with governmental and non-governmental entities to inform policymaking aimed at advancing the rights of persons with disabilities.
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN's values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Functional Competencies
Knowledge Management and Learning
- Promotes knowledge management in the UN and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Management and Leadership
- Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Partnership Management
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding
- Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives
Education
Required Skills and Experience
- Master's degree or Bachelor's degree in Business Management, International Affairs, Development Studies, Law or relevant field.
- An advanced qualification in human rights law or disability law/policy will be highly desirable.
Experience
- A minimum three (3) years (with Masters degree), or, minimum five (5) years (with Bachelors degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in project/programme formulation and management is required.
- Proven expertise in advocating for rights of persons with disabilities at national and international level is highly desirable.
- Experience of working with international agencies/ UN / multi-lateral organisations is highly desirable. Experience in project management and documentation is highly desirable.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in English and knowledge of Hindi is essential.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.
Disclaimer
Important information for US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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