Job Description

The Position:

Project Manager, based in Patna, will be responsible for managing the ambitious Talim-i Naubalighan programme in Madarsas of Bihar in coordination with Implementing Partners and relevant stakeholders. He/She will lead a team of professionals based at State Resource Centre, which will be the main hub for coordination of implementation activities as well as for any policy reforms needed. 

As part of the work, the Project Manager, will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the Project, including support to State Head of UNFPA and Director of State Resource Centre in all substantive and administrative matters, working closely with Government counterparts, implementing partners, Madarsa Board, and will undertake field visits to the project geographies for program planning and management. 

You will report to the State Head of UNFPA in Bihar.

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s new strategic plan (2018-2021), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. 

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

India has made significant progress over the past 25 years towards its commitments to the Plan of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development, ICPD. However, disparities still persist and large pockets of people still do not benefit from these advances either due to their remote location, social class, gender, disabilities or other. With the right level of evidence-based advocacy and policy dialogue, coupled with an acceleration programme, India is well positioned to close the gaps towards the three transformative goals by 2030. UNFPA has been a partner of the Government of India and People since 1974 and is now on its 9th five-year Country Programme. UNFPA has a team of committed and driven staff in its main office in New Delhi, and four state-based offices. UNFPA is an integral part of the UN family in India and is fully committed to the UN Reform agenda to make the United Nations a relevant, agile and responsive partner to the Government and People. 

UNFPA is supporting Bihar Government, and Bihar State Madarsa Education Board in implementing Adolescence Education Program in Government aided/recognized Madarsas of Bihar. The project is being implemented across the entire Bihar State (38 Districts) covering approximately 2500 Madarsas and reaching out to 1.2 lakh adolescents in Madarsas annually. The Project is implemented in partnership with Bihar State Madarsa Education Board, Department of Minority Welfare, Department of Education, Government of Bihar, UNFPA and credible National institutions.

The Madarsa project is centred around the overall mandate of UNFPA to empower adolescents with age appropriate and gender responsive life skills education for informed decision making as well as to build their cognitive capital. The age and context specific teaching will be introduced from Grade VI – X, through a cascading training approach centred around 50 Regional Resource Centres (1 RRC/40 Madarsas) and a State Resource Centre through a period of three years.

You will be responsible for:

A. Project Management and Coordination

• Prepare monthly, quarterly and yearly project implementation plan with clear defined actionable and results
• Coordinate with Implementing Partners and teams at State and Regional Resource Centre to implement the implementation plan with high quality and standard.
• Network and liaise with government counterparts, especially Department of Minority Welfare and Bihar State Madarsa Education Board to keep them informed and solicit their support.
• Support UNFPA State Head in managing and coordinating project activities, from substantive, administrative and financial points of view, applying strategic planning and systematic coordination of project activities.
• Ensure supervision of the Project personnel and ensure effective communication and coordination between the Project personnel, Partners and UNFPA.
• Provide direction and leadership in advocating project objectives and in ensuring that all interested parties are well informed about the project activities and goals.
• Identify any support and advice required for the management, planning and control of the Project.
• Ensure timely preparation and compilation of the Project Annual/Quarterly Work Plans and Progress/Final substantial and financial reports and its submission 
• Support in Preparation of monthly reports on key project activities, issues and required action points. Prepare the project semi annual progress reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks and issues, expenditures), annual review report and final review reports as appropriate. 

B. Effective operationalization of State Resource Centre

• Understand the three tier structure of implementation and establish organic linkages of State Resource Centre with Regional and Madarsa Resource Centres
• Provide support to UNFPA and/or Director State Resource Centre to prepare the implementation and policy engagement initiatives and plan of State Resource Centre
• Provide substantive technical support in operationalisation of State Resource Centre in terms of institution building
• Provide technical backstopping and implementation support to the state and regional teams
• Support State Head of UNFPA and/or Director of SRC in anchoring the entire implementation through the State Resource Centre
• Develop infographics, briefs and reports on the Resource Centres for communication and advocacy
• Maintain and use data and evidences generated from implementation to strengthen the functioning of State Resource Centre.
• Undertake and support in any other work required for managing and/or operationalisation of State Resource Centre.

C. Training and Capacity Building 

• Identify training and capacity building needs of the state and regional resource team members
• Develop and/or support development of short training capsules for undertaking training and capacity building of state and regional teams as well as those of IP staff and personnel
• Develop training and capacity building calendar for the state and regional team and execute the trainings identifying trainers and/or resource person
• Develop short infographics, tools and material to communicate project activities, objectives and goals
• Develop tools and materials and capacitate state and regional teams to have one voice communication
• Identify execution, implementation, knowledge and skill gaps of state and regional teams and proactively plan training and capacity building session for addressing those gaps.

Others:

• Carry out any other duties as may be required by the supervisor and UNFPA leadership. 

Qualifications and Experience 

Education:  

Master degree or equivalent in social sciences, or other relevant field

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Minimum 2 years of relevant work experience
• Previous experience on Project Management and/or institution building is highly desirable
• Knowledge of Madarsa Education system and working is highly desirable
• Proven ability to draft, edit and produce results-focussed reports
• Proven experience working with Government, civil society, international organizations and donors
• Experience in the usage of computers with MS office.
• Excellent communication, facilitation and negotiation skills, and good emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary and culturally diverse teams.

Languages: 

Fluency in English & Hindi; knowledge of Urdu is desirable. 

Required Competencies 

Values:

• Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Functional Competencies:

• Management & Leadership
• Building strategic alliances and partnerships
• Delivering results-based programmes
• Training and Capacity Building
• Internal and external communication and advocacy for results mobilisation

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
• Communicating for impact 

Compensation and Benefits 

This position is pegged at Service Contract pay band, (SB-4)

Disclaimer 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Fraudulent notices, letters or offers may be submitted to the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm

UNFPA Work Environment UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.