Project Associate

Volunteering Environment

Overview

Support project development and implementation for disaster resilience and climate action.

You have:

• Two years of experience in the area of building design or structural safety, disaster risk reduction projects or in related areas.
• Ability to aggregate and synthesize research literature and extract key messages and arguments.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills including excellent coordination and networking skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively with a range of partners.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications, database management.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy.

In May 2023, through an official communication to all the state governments of India, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) officially endorsed UNDP’s role to provide technical assistance to the state governments in implementing the recommendations of the XV Finance Commission recommendations. Since then, UNDP has finalized technical proposals with the states of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Bihar. Additional states where discussions and proposal development are ongoing are Madhya Pradesh, Tripura, Haryana, Maharashtra, J&K, Jharkhand, Odisha etc.

In June 2024, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) approved UNDP’s programme of collaboration with the SDMAs. This now paves the way for UNDP’s formal engagement with the SDMAs of the states and Union Territories of India.

For this assignment, the UNV will work to support the cities of Ghaziabad and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), which has been selected as a winner of Bloomberg Philanthropies' Mayors Challenge after a competitive process that received applications from 640 cities around the world.

Under the direct supervision of Programme Specialist (Resilience), the Project Associate will perform the following tasks:

A. Support in Day-to-Day Programme Development and Implementation

• Support the team in the development of RFPs and RFQs under the project. • Support the cities in developing the activities finalised under the Mayor’s challenge. • Assist the team in evaluating the bids received under the projects • Provide technical inputs for activities like rapid visual screening of the schools and hospitals, structural safety audit and training. • Support the M&E expert in timely reporting for UNDP’s Project Annual Report and Result Oriented Annual Report. Prepare supporting documents for the updation of Social and Environmental screening procedure (SESP), Environment and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Environmental and Social Management Aspect (ESIA) and ensure that such plans are approved by the relevant authorities before implementation the project.

B. Contribute to Knowledge Management and Learning

• Draft reports, policy briefs, and case studies summarizing project outcomes and lessons learned in line with the UNDP guidelines. • Support the development of visually engaging knowledge products and presentations. • Assist in documenting innovative approaches and best practices in disaster resilience and community preparedness around flood, cyclones, heatwaves, thermal cooling, AI integration and structural safety.

C. Facilitate Socially Inclusive and Equitable Programming

• Support the integration of social inclusion considerations addressing the needs of women, persons with disabilities, elderly, youth, and marginalized communities into project design. • Develop inclusion-sensitive indicators and support data disaggregation by gender, age, disability, and social group. • Contribute to the preparation of social inclusion assessments and strategies to ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing across all project interventions.

D. Undertaking Research and Analytical Support on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Resilience Themes

• Support the team in literature reviews, compiling data, and synthesizing best practices on DRR and climate resilience. • Support in the integration of the upcoming technologies in the programme

E. Support Coordination and Field-Based Monitoring Activities • Assist in planning and conducting field visits to project sites to monitor implementation progress. • Contribute to field visit reports with recommendations for improving the delivery and effectiveness of interventions.

F. Other Responsibilities:

• Assist in data collection and validation processes conducted by project partners, interns, or field enumerators. • Support organization of team meetings, workshops, and reviews to track project progress and challenges. • Contribute to planning and logistics for field missions, ensuring smooth coordination among stakeholders. • Facilitate information flow and coordination between field teams, UNDP team members and government counterparts.

• Accountability • Adaptability and Flexibility • Building Trust • Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Working in Teams

• Two years of experience in the area of building design or structural safety, disaster risk reduction projects or in related areas; • Ability to aggregate and synthesize research literature and extract key messages and arguments; • Strong analytical and report-writing skills including; • Excellent coordination and network skills • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.

The assignment will be based in New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital city of India, experiences a diverse climate and has distinct living conditions influenced by its weather, infrastructure, and culture. A melting pot of cultures, languages, and cuisines, reflecting the diverse nature of India. Overall, living in Delhi offers a mix of modern urban life with deep-rooted traditions and challenges typical of a large, bustling metropolis.

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to the UN Volunteer is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. For more information on entitlements please read the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).

For information specific to your assignment, please see below: • Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 56,126.69 • Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 350 (equivalent in INR) • Relocation costs: $175 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV) • Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): USD 120 for each month served, paid on completion of contract • Insurance: Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts • Annual leave: 2.5 days per month • Learning: Access to UNV's learning and career development resources

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Potential interview questions

Added 25 days ago - Updated 4 days ago - Source: unv.org