Manager - Fund Operations and Coordination, UN India SDG Country Fund

Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

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 India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs.
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized.
• 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.

The UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC) is the designated representative of the UN Secretary-General to the Government of India. The UNRC leads the UN Country Team in advocating the mandate of the United Nations, while drawing on the support and guidance of the entire UN family. UN Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO) supports the work of the UN Resident Coordinator in India and coordinates activities of the UN Country Team in its engagement with the Government of India as defined by the Government of India-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). India is currently implementing the GoI-UNSDCF 2023-2027 which has outlined six thematic Outcome areas including: 1) Health and Well-being, 2) Nutrition and Food Security; 3) Quality Education; 4) Economic Growth and Decent Work; 5) Environment, Climate, WASH, and Resilience; and 6) Empowering People, Communities and Institutions. In addition, there are specific Outputs on SDG Localisation and South-South Cooperation, as well as cross-cutting enablers of the Cooperation Framework including Gender, Youth, Disaster Risk Resilience.

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 furthest behind first.

Office/Unit/ Project Description

UN India has set up a UN India SDG Country Fund as a pooled funding mechanism that aims to accelerate implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in India by supporting the Government’s development priorities as outlined in the Government of India – United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, 2023-27 (henceforth GoI-UNSDCF 2023-27, or Cooperation Framework). The Fund will draw up and mobilise financing for strategic interventions through which the UN development system can deliver in a more integrated and cohesive manner and contribute towards the implementation of the GoI-UNSDCF 2023 -27 and ultimately progress towards India’s ambitious vision for 2047. The Fund will operate thematic windows aligned to the Cooperation Framework and any of the above-mentioned Outcome areas, specific Outputs and cross-cutting enablers could be potential thematic windows in the Fund.

One of the priorities for the Government is taking India’s model of delivering development to countries of the global South through strengthening partnerships, collaboration and knowledge exchange in areas ranging from healthcare to digital public infrastructure. Importantly, in the current Cooperation Framework, for the first time South-South Cooperation (SSC) has been included as a key engagement priority and a specific Output, convened by the UN Resident Coordinator. The aim is strengthening South-South cooperation for accelerating achievement of the SDGs, including through codifying Indian best practices in key development areas, showcasing Indian models of development globally, as well as facilitating partnerships at national/ sub-national levels with other countries towards this goal.

As mentioned above, the Fund will operate thematic windows aligned to the Cooperation Framework. Following on the momentum unleashed by India’s Presidency of G20, as well as given the UN system in India’s long-term engagement with the government on the SSC and triangular cooperation agenda, one of the initial thematic windows would be on South-South Cooperation for acceleration of the SDGs.

A lean Secretariat, housed in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), will be created to service the UN India SDG Country Fund for the UN country team and facilitate management of proposals and implementation by specific UN agencies. To effectively manage the Fund's operations and assist with supported projects, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) is seeking to hire a Manager - Fund Operations and Coordination, UN India SDG Country Fund

This position will oversee the management of funds, including calls for proposals, due diligence processes, project appraisals and synthesis for the Steering Committees’/ Thematic Steering Committee’s consideration and decision. This position will also ensure the operationalization of the Fund, monitor project implementation and maintain proper governance and reporting through effective documentation and administrative processes.

This position will also be responsible to manage and monitor operational funds of the Secretariat, ensuring transparent utilisation of financial resources, in line with approved budgets and UN programme/financial policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Purpose:

The role involves providing all requisite support for administering the operations of the UN India SDG Country Fund, as well as all necessary Secretariat duties to ensure the proper functioning of the Fund, including administration, reporting, documentation and coordination. The role will also involve development and implementation of resource mobilisation and communications plan(s) and promotional campaign(s) for the Fund towards ensuring continuity of the Fund, under the functional guidance of the Head of Office, UNRCO and in coordination with the Partnerships Officer, UNRCO.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Ensure effective operationalization and administration of the Fund, budgets and processes

• Administer the operations of the Fund, including calls for proposals, due diligence processes, project appraisals and synthesis for the Steering Committee’s consideration and decision;
• Perform all necessary secretariat duties to ensure the proper functioning of the Fund, administration, reporting, documentation (including the preparation of agendas, invitations, minutes, filing system and all other administrative work that may arise);
• Prepare and update as required the Fund Operations Manual, Call for Proposals, and resource mobilisation plan, and other relevant documents as required;
• Prepare work plans including procurement plan, quarterly plans, and other plans as required for the effective implementation and administration of the Fund;
• Review project proposals to ensure conformity with policy guidance, eligibility criteria, and budget requirements; submission of project portfolios;
• Analyse the donor landscape and develop recommendations for potential collaborations;
• Prepare proposals in association with concerned and participating UN agencies for potential donors in coordination with the Partnerships Officer, UNRCO;
• Implement resource mobilisation and communications plan(s) and promotional campaign(s) for the Fund towards ensuring continuity of the Fund, in coordination with the Partnerships Officer, UNRCO.

Support resource mobilisation for the India SDG Country Fund

Ensure effective facilitation, evaluation, monitoring and reporting

• Prepare and facilitate required documentation for Administrative Agent i.e. the UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) for the Fund;
• Facilitate collaborations and communications with Participating UN Organisations (PUNOs) and other stakeholders to ensure projects/programmes are well coordinated and implemented effectively;
• Monitor expenditure to ensure that it is in line with approved budgets and UN programme/financial policies;
• Monitor project implementation and progress, operational risks and the Fund performance, and report to the SC accordingly;
• Ensure timely submissions and consolidation of financial and narrative reports of projects by Fund recipients and investigate anomalies.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic areas.

• Identify capacity building needs and opportunities. Ensure appropriate training, project workshops and other relevant activities are organized and implemented in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia.
• Ensure project reports capture results, lessons learned and good practices for possible wider application.
• Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on development and project related issues.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement[1]

Reporting To: Operations Manager, UNDP India

with matrix reporting to: Chief of Staff, UN Resident Coordinator’s Office

Reportees to this position (if applicable): Communications and Information Management Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation Analyst & Administrative Associate

[1] NPSA holders hired under a National implementation modality, remain under the administrative supervision of UNDP, even if daily supervision is ensured by the national counterpart.

Competencies

Core Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition Partnership Management

Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding

Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships,

and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms

Finance Accounting (General)

Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, frameworks,

standards, regulations, policies and trends, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations

Data Data Analysis

Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data to form meaningful insights and aid effective business decision making

Finance Due Diligence Management

Ability to conduct a comprehensive appraisal of an organization or opportunity to be undertaken by a

prospective investor or partner, especially to establish its assets and liabilities, as well as evaluate the potential opportunity and its related risks; knowledge of respective methodology and

tools

Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking

Ability to use objective problem analysis and

judgement to understand how interrelated

elements coexist within an overall process or

system, and to consider how altering one element

can impact on other parts of the system

Business Management Project Management

Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Finance, Economics, SocialSciences, the Sciences, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related field is required; or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.