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 is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges.

In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock.

UNDP has worked in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development, from systems and institutional strengthening to inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods, as well as sustainable energy, environment, and resilience. UNDP’s programmes continue to fully integrate a global vision for catalytic change with India’s national priorities. With over 30 projects on the ground in almost every state, today UNDP India works to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by transforming traditional models to do development differently. In a rapidly changing global environment, the work of UNDP and the broader UN family aligns with the Government of India's new national development vision, India 2030, and builds upon the Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP India's country programme for 2018 -2022 has three major focus areas:

Inclusive growth
- Environment and energy
- Strengthening systems and institutions

These are supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, a pool of financial and technical resources for greater impact and scale, and South-South expertise.

You are invited to join a team of dedicated development professionals whose primary role is to support the India to achieve the 2030 Agenda. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with multiple stakeholders to find the country specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and to ensure no one is left behind - and we reach those furthest behind first.

UNDP is looking for individuals who have communication, analytical, planning and implementation capacities that can address links, choices and connections across many issues and sectors. We seek individuals who can apply global best practice to national contexts. We are looking for people who are enthusiastic, motivated, and committed to making a positive contribution to Development in India.

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.

Job Purpose and Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Specialist, Circular Economy and Chemicals Management, the incumbent will lead and provide strategic, technical, and operational support for the design and implementation of programme interventions under the Circular Economy portfolio. The position will be responsible for ensuring effective programme planning, implementation, performance management, and stakeholder coordination, in alignment with UNDP policies, donor requirements, and national priorities. The role will drive integration of circular economy approaches, climate co-benefits, and gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), while strengthening partnerships, policy engagement, and knowledge systems to deliver sustainable and scalable programme results.

Duties and Responsibilities

Programme Planning, Delivery and Performance Management
- Lead planning and end-to-end implementation of assigned project components in alignment with project documents, donor requirements, and UNDP policies.
- Ensure delivery of outputs and outcomes against approved workplans, timelines, and results frameworks.
- Analyse programme performance, risks, and challenges, and lead adaptive management to strengthen effectiveness and impact
Technical and Analytical Leadership
- Provide technical leadership to integrate circular economy approaches, climate co-benefits, social inclusion and SDG alignment into programme design and delivery.
- Develop analytical inputs, technical frameworks, and implementation tools to strengthen programme quality.
- Support innovation and application of best practices to enhance programme impact, scalability and sustainability.
Programme Operations and Resource Management
- Lead development and monitoring of Annual Work Plans (AWPs), ensuring alignment with budgets, procurement, and recruitment plans.
- Oversee end-to-end procurement processes, including development of Terms of Reference (ToRs), technical specifications, and participation in technical evaluations.
- Ensure effective contract management and vendor performance.
- Lead financial planning, budget utilization, and expenditure tracking to ensure efficient and compliant use of resources.
- Provide guidance and oversight to project staff and consultants to ensure effective delivery.
Partnerships and Resource Mobilization
- Establish and manage strategic partnerships with government, ULBs, private sector, civil society, and development partners.
- Identify and leverage opportunities for convergence, co-financing, and programme scale-up.
- Lead and contribute to resource mobilization through development of proposals, concept notes, and partnership frameworks.
- Participate in relevant technical forums, consultations, and stakeholder platforms.
Policy Engagement, Thought Leadership and Capacity Development
- Lead policy engagement, research, and advocacy in Circular Economy and related thematic areas.
- Provide strategic inputs to policy dialogue and support development of evidence-based policy and programme frameworks.
- Design and oversee capacity-building initiatives to strengthen institutional systems and stakeholder capabilities.
- Position programme insights to influence policy and sectoral discourse.

Ensure Knowledge Management, Inclusion, and Reporting
- Oversee development and dissemination of knowledge products, including case studies, tools, and best practices.
- Strengthen data systems and digital tools for monitoring and learning
- Ensure systematic integration of gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) across programme interventions and outcomes.
- Lead preparation of high-quality reports, donor communications, and visibility outputs demonstrating programme results and impact.
Risk Management, Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Ensure compliance with UNDP rules, audit requirements, and risk management frameworks.
- Identify and mitigate operational, fiduciary, and programme risks.
- Strengthen quality assurance mechanisms to ensure high standards in programme delivery and reporting
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): Operations and Finance Associate, NPSA 7 UNVs

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making
People Management: UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies Business Direction & Strategy

Strategic Thinking
- Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.
Systems 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
Effective Decision Making
- Take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one's authority, area of expertise and resources and take into consideration potential wider implications.

Business Management

Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
Results-based Management
- Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.

Partnership management

Relationship Mmanagement
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding

2030 Agenda: People

Gender
- Inclusive economies and the economic empowerment of women

Required Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements
- Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Social Science, Environmental Science or International Development is required; or
- A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Min. years of relevant work experience
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in the areas of circular economy, plastic waste management, environmental management or sustainable development programmes.
Required skills
- Proven experience to lead end-to-end implementation of complex, multi-stakeholder programmes, including planning, execution, monitoring, and delivery of results.
- Demonstrated experience in engaging and coordinating with government, private sector, CSOs, and development partners to drive programme outcomes.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
- Experience of working in the domain of plastic waste management, EPR, resource efficiency, or recycling systems.
- Experience in developing ToRs, conducting technical evaluations, and managing vendors/consultants.
- Experience contributing to policy dialogue, regulatory frameworks, or sectoral reforms.
- Experience in developing concept notes, proposals, and support donor engagement.
- Experience with indicators, impact measurement, and use of data systems/dashboards for decision-making.
Required Language(s)
- Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

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 Officer (Open to Internal & External Applicants)