National Programme Manager - NGO (8-10 yrs)

1. POSITION VACANT: National Programme Manager, International Development Agency, New Delhi

2. ORGANIZATIONAL BACKGROUND:

Our client is a respected International Development Agency (IDA) working in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, the IDA is focused on 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.

Our client works in close association with the national and state governments, and diverse development actors, to deliver people-centric results, for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the lead for collective action on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the international development agency fraternity, the IDA is 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.

The IDA's current Country Programme (2018-2022) is in its final year of implementation and the new Country Programme (2023-2027), which comes into effect in 2023, builds on the IDA's prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic pillars or portfolios:

(1) Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for the accelerated achievement of SDGs;

(2) Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized;

(3) Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability.

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

The IDA is seeking future-smart development professionals, to join their team to support India in achieving national and globally agreed goals. As part of the IDA team, the post-holder will focus on working with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

Project Description:

The Sustainable and Inclusive Growth portfolio is aligned to outcome 2 of the IDA's country plan. The focus of the portfolio is enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized communities across the country. Under the portfolio, there are several projects being implemented across different thematic areas such as Skills, Jobs and Sustainable Livelihoods, Women Entrepreneurship and Youth Innovation, Accessible and Inclusive Social and Risks protection Mechanism, Care Economy with focus on;

(1) Socio-economic empowerment and resilience building of marginalized and vulnerable populations through bridging the information gap, building managerial, financial, and digital capacities and improving access to opportunities;

(2) Support unlocking the full impact of public supports schemes- Agri Insurance & Credit, Social protection, Forest Rights and Entitlements, Skill India, NULM with improved Institutional Capacity, Service Delivery and Enhanced Coverage;

(3) Confront the significant barriers and stigma faced by women and girls, enhance agency and promote inclusive workplace;

(4) Promotes responsible business behaviour as well as greater industry participation specifically SMEs in the skilling ecosystem.

The overall objective of the proposed engagement is to work closely with the Sustainable and Inclusive Growth Unit and extend expert input and support on skilling and employment aspects of the programme implementation. This will include providing research, proposal writing, collating, and verifying data, developing communication collaterals, leading online/offline events.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Head of Poverty, Sustainable Inclusive Growth, NOC, the National Programme Manager (NPM), Sustainable Inclusive Growth shall be responsible for developing, designing and steering the implementation of various projects under the portfolio and will work in close collaboration with project implementation teams and other programme portfolios to ensure a collaborative and harmonized joint IDA programme. S/he shall lead the resource mobilisation for the portfolio and will formulate strategies and programmatic response to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable and marginalised populations.

The NPM will also oversee and manage a team of six members.

Key Responsibilities:

(A)Project Management:

(1) Steer implementation of Sustainable and Inclusive Growth project activities and take lead in coordination and management of relevant projects;

(2) Ensure effective implementation of project progress, financial management and achievement of results, in accordance with IDA's policies, UN rules and regulations and applicable donor requirements, including identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions, follow-up on audit recommendations;

(3) Undertake effective application of Result Based Management (RBM) tools in project management and gender disaggregated impact monitoring;

(4) Liaise with all relevant stakeholders including the Government, private sector and other partners to ensure smooth implementation of project activities, and to build and strengthen existing relationships;

(5) Performance of the functions of a project supervisor, including goal setting and reviews of supervisees and participation in recruitment processes.

(B)Partnership Development and Resource Mobilization:

(1) Undertake analysis and research on the country's political, social, and economic environment for the formulation and design of new projects and proposals and funding opportunities with a focus on private sector and Government departments;

(2) Collaborate closely with the partnerships team and other IDA verticals as well as with other UN agencies to lead resource mobilization for the portfolio;

(3) Identify new project ideas in line with IDA and the Inclusive Growth unit's priorities and develop project proposals, documents, and concept notes to facilitate resource mobilization efforts in consultation with IDA country office;

(4) Lead consultations on project formulation and agreements;

(5) Coordinate with donor agencies on the project thematic focus and follow up as required;

(6) Prepare substantive inputs to key strategic and policy documents which direct and guide IDA's support interventions on livelihoods and inclusion;

(7) Coordinate closely with technical advisors at the Bangkok Regional Hub (BRH), government, private sector, CSOs and other institutions to ensure an effective formulation process leading to the approval of projects.

(C)Team Management:

(1) Support project team in preparation, review, and implementation of detailed project reports of plans;

(2) Lead and coordinate the organization of meetings, workshops, conferences, trainings, study tours and related activities relevant to the implementation of the projects-

(3) Identify priorities and capacity development needs in the design of work plans and establish a timely and participatory work planning process.

(D)Knowledge Management:

(1) Lead or support preparation of reports on programme activities, outputs, and outcomes as well as donor reports, as required;

(2) Write and communicate on best practices and lessons learned linked to programme and policy goals;

(3) Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice;

(4) Oversee quality assurance of all communications and knowledge products produced by the Inclusive Growth portfolio;

(5) Represent IDA in meetings and fora on livelihoods and inclusion;

(6) Contribute to the UN's work in India, and actively participate in the UNCT Results Group on Poverty and Inclusion. Share knowledge and best practices with other programme units and support them, as needed, in programme formulation and implementation.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:

Qualification and Experience

(1) Master's degree in Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields with a minimum of five years of experience at the national and international level in programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs; OR,

(2) Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related fields with a minimum of seven years of experience at the national and international level in programme/project management in international development organizations, bilateral development agencies and/or international NGOs;

(3) Proven experience in programme management with sound knowledge of all aspects of the project cycle including, design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Required Skills and Competencies

(A) Core Competencies:

(1) Achieve Results: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

(2) Think Innovatively: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

(3) Learn Continuously: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

(4) Adapt with Agility: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

(5) Act with Determination: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

(6) Engage and Partner: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

(7) Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

(B) Cross-Functional/ Technical Competencies:

(a) Business Direction and Strategy Competencies

(1) Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with IDA's objectives, based on systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions;

Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for IDA.

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

(3) IDA Representation: Ability to represent IDA and productively share IDA's knowledge and activities, advocate for IDA, its values, mission and work with various constituencies.

(b) Business Management Competencies

(1) Results-based Management: Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.

(2) Partnerships Management: Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with IDA strategy and policies.

(3) Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and

proactively managing risks.

(4) Communication: Ability to communicate in a clear, concise, and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience; Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Skills:

(A) Required Skills:

(1) Proven ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams;

(2) Excellent interpersonal, communications and writing skills;

(3) Good analytical skills.

(B) Desired Skills:

(1) Demonstrates/safeguards ethics and integrity;

(2) Experience of working with UN agencies would be an asset;

(3) Additional years of relevant professional experience highly desirable;

(4) Builds and promotes effective teams using mentoring and conflict resolution skills;

(5) Works as a team member;

(6) Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;

(7) Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment;

(8) Ability to work independently and under pressure;

(9) Schedules activities to ensure optimum use of time and resources; monitors performance against development and other objectives and corrects deviations from the course;

(10) Self-development, initiative-taking;

(11) Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking;

(12) Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;

(13) Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

(14) Willingness to travel.

Language Requirement

Fluency in English and Hindi is essential.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation offered for the position is attractive. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and salary history.

6. LOCATION: New Delhi