Mission and objectivesAs the United Nations lead agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and to build resilience to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is concentrated in three focus areas; sustainable development, democratic governance and peace building, and climate and disaster resilience. UNDPโs mandate is to end poverty, build democratic governance, rule of law, and inclusive institutions. We advocate for change, and connect countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. 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 Indiaโs national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. The Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios: โข Strong, accountable, and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs โข Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized โข 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.
ContextUNDP has been working with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) since its inception (1985) under different thematic areas such as Biodiversity Conservation, Natural Resources Management, Sustainable Land Management, Climate Adaptation and Resilience, and Chemicals and Waste Management. In 2022, the fifteenth Conference of Parties (COP-15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), also known as the UN Biodiversity Conference, will convene governments from around the world to agree to a new set of goals for nature over the next decade through the post-2020 Global Biodiversity framework (GBF). The GBF builds on the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 and sets out an ambitious plan to implement broad-based action to bring about a transformation in societyโs relationship with biodiversity. The framework comprises 21 targets and 10 milestones proposed for 2030, en route to โliving in harmony with natureโ by 2050. Following the adoption of GBF at the COP-15, Parties to the CBD will work to align their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) including policy, monitoring and finance frameworks with the GBF of the CBD and relevant targets of other environmental agreements such as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPAs), and Land Degradation Neutrality goals of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). India is a frontrunner and has updated its NBSAP in alignment with the KMGBF. India has also finalized 23 National Biodiversity Targets. UNDPโs Biodiversity programme supports the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the Convention on Biological Diversity. The technical and policy support provided by the programme focus on institutional strengthening and building capacities to utilize natural resources in a sustainable way, while increasing resilience to climate variability and associated risks and impacts. The programme is also currently working on innovative financing mechanisms for ecological restoration and biodiversity conservation. The portfolio supports Indiaโs engagement with the Global Environment Facility (GEF), and other donors; and works with Central Ministries and state governments to implement various projects on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration among others. Currently all projects under the Biodiversity Programme are focussed towards implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan and achievement of the twenty three targets. Seeking to engage a Biodiversity Specialist who could support the Biodiversity Programme in implementation of the project activities and also coordinate with partner institutions such as the MoEFCC, NBA and State Biodiversity Boards.
Task Descriptionโข Provide support in coordination and communication in various engagements with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to ensure smooth implementation of biodiversity related programming anchored in MoEFCC, National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards โข Develop background notes, concept notes, presentations, briefings and other documentation on the development and implementation of activities and initiatives โข Contribute towards furthering the priorities of GoI and UNDP with respect to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other international conventions within the purview of the projects โข Support in the implementation of the NBSAP and guide the states in preparing their SBSAPs โข Provide support in finalization of the OECM guidelines and Seventh National Report โข Support the MoEFCC and UNDP in organising, managing and coordinating meetings, consultations, training programmes, social media campaigns, and other events with various stakeholders โข Support in identification and documentation of best practices and outcomes across thematic areas relevant to the projects and guiding teams in preparing dissemination material. โข Support in preparation of Annual Work Plans and Monitoring and Evaluation of Biodiversity Projects โข Any other tasks assigned by the Director, CS III Division Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Head, NRM and Biodiversity, ACE Unit, UNDP.
Competencies and valuesโข Integrity and professionalism: demonstrated expertise in area of specialty and ability to apply good judgment; high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; willingness to accept wide โข responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures in a politically sensitive environment, while exercising discretion, impartiality and neutrality; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented. โข Accountability: mature and responsible; ability to operate in compliance with organizational rules and regulations. โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities. โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working โข relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender; โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; ability to maintain composure and remain helpful towards the staff, but objective, without showing personal interest; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently in austere, remote and potentially hazardous environments for protracted periods, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the area of operations; willingness to transfer to other duty stations within area of operations as may be necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values.
Living conditions and remarksThe assignment will be based in New Delhi. New Delhi is the capital city of India, experi-ences a diverse climate and has distinct living conditions influenced by its weather, infra-structure, 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. As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for ar-ranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in New Delhi. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions. The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator This Entitlements specific to this volunteering assignment is below: โข Monthly Voluntary Living Allowance (VLA): INR 64,961.50 โข Entry lump sum (one-time payment): USD 400 (equivalent in INR) โข Relocation costs: $200 at beginning and end of assignment if duty station is outside of commuting distance (as determined by UNV) โข Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment): INR 5,413.46 for each month served โข Comprehensive coverage for health and life Leave entitlements: โข Annual leave: 2.5 days accrued per calendar month โข Certified sick leave: 30 days โข Uncertified sick leave: 7 days โข Learning leave: 10 working days per consecutive 12 months โข Maternity leave: 16 weeks โข Paternity leaves: 10 days For more information on entitlements please read the Conditions of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos).