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.

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

The Plastic Waste Management Programme (PWM) is designed to minimize negative impacts of plastic pollution and its risks to environment and human health in India. The aim is to enhance sustainable plastic waste management (segregation/collection/recycling) practices through a socio-technical model in line with Swachh Bharat Mission in India, while ensuring compliance with regulations and ensuring improved use of resources. The project targets institutionalization of waste pickers (safai saathis) through improved governance mechanisms, capacity building and improved social conditions. The project also targets community engagement to enhance responsible waste disposal behaviour, and cross-stakeholder engagements for improved action on plastics.

To achieve the project objective and outcomes, the project is structured in 4 components:

Component 1 aims to strengthen policy frameworks, institutional systems, and data capabilities to improve national and urban governance of plastics and waste management.
Component 2 focuses on design and implementation of pilots for improved materials management in close coordination with project stakeholders through demonstration of scalable BEP/BAT models
Component 3 is directed mainly to improve socio-economic conditions for waste pickers by enhancing social protection, formal recognition, and gender‑responsive support systems through institutionalized service delivery mechanisms.
Component 4 aims towards developing knowledge management, monitoring and communication mechanisms based on in-built adaptive feedback system during the project duration.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main Purpose:

The Project Analyst, Gender and Social Inclusion, will support the integration of gender equality and social inclusion across UNDP’s waste, chemicals, and circular economy programmes, with a focus on improving livelihoods, safety, and access to social protection for informal waste workers. The role will work with government, private sector, industries, and civil society partners to ensure inclusive programme design, implementation, and monitoring, building on learnings from Project Utthaan and related initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) Integration in Project Design and Implementation:
- Lead the integration of GESI across project design, planning, and implementation by applying relevant frameworks and tools, and ensuring that inclusion dimensions are systematically embedded in project activities and outputs.
Social Inclusion Implementation and Programme Strengthening:
- Coordinate and oversee the implementation of social inclusion interventions for informal waste workers, focusing on enhancing access to social protection, occupational safety, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihoods.
- Concurrently, undertake analysis of project components and field-level implementation challenges to identify inclusion gaps, particularly for women, and support the development and operationalization of context-specific solutions to strengthen programme delivery across Circular Economy and Chemicals Waste Management initiatives.
Field Coordination & Implementation Support
- Provide technical backstopping and coordination support across project locations to ensure quality, consistency, and timely implementation of activities.
- Facilitate issue resolution and strengthen linkages between field teams and central project team.
Partnerships & Convergence:
- Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government counterparts, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector stakeholders.
- Facilitate convergence with relevant schemes and policies to enhance coordination and strengthen inclusive systems and service delivery.
- Support engagement and coordination with vendors and service providers, including providing technical inputs to procurement and partnership processes.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Impact Measurement:
- Support the development and operationalization of GESI-responsive indicators within project results frameworks and Annual Work Plans (AWPs).
- Contribute to baseline assessments, data collection processes, and periodic reviews to monitor progress, assess impacts, generate insights, and inform adaptive management.
Data, Reporting and Insights:
- Compile, analyse, and synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to generate actionable insights on inclusion outcomes.
- Contribute to the preparation of high-quality project reports, donor communications, and knowledge outputs to support evidence-based decision-making.
Policy, Capacity & Knowledge Development:
- Provide technical inputs to policy analysis, programme guidelines, and proposal development.
- Design and support capacity-building initiatives for stakeholders and develop knowledge products, including case studies and tools, to promote learning, replication, and scaling up of inclusive practices.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

Reporting to: Project Specialist, Circular Economy and Chemicals Waste Management, (NPSA 10)
Reportees to this position (if applicable): None

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy

System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexists within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.

Business Management

Monitoring and Evaluation
- Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results.
- Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming.
- Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
Communication
- 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

Audit and Investigation

Collection and analysis of evidence
- Ability to extract and analyze all relevant types of evidence and be able to draw reasonable inferences and conclusions.

2030 Agenda: Peace

Rule of Law, Security and Human Rights
- Human Rights for Sustainable Development

2030 Agenda: People

Gender
- Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Gender Studies, Development Studies, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related field is required, or
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience of working on gender equality, social inclusion, livelihoods, informal sector integration, social protection, or related development programmes, along with proven ability to coordinate effectively with government agencies, civil society organizations, and community-based partners.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

Experience in working on waste management, circular economy, urban livelihoods, or labour-intensive sectors, with exposure to informal or vulnerable worker groups.
Experience with social protection, occupational safety, worker welfare frameworks, and experience supporting policy analysis or advisory work related to inclusion or labour.
Experience in programme implementation, monitoring, reporting, and analytical writing.
Prior experience engaging with grassroots and field-based partners in UN agencies, NGOs/INGOs, donor-funded projects, or similar development institutions.

Required Language(s)

Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Professional Certificates

· None

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

Project Analyst, Gender & Social Inclusion [Open to internal and external applicants]