Project Officer - Forest Rights Act (FRA)

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About the Organization

As the lead United Nations agency on international development, UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty and reduce inequality. We help countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnerships and institutional capabilities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Our work is centred around six core development areas, known as our signature solutions: poverty and inequality, governance, resilience, environment, energy and gender equality.

Job Description

UNDP proposes to hire a Project Officer-FRA to provide technical support to the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha for effective implementation and monitoring of the Forest Rights Act 2006.

The Project Officer - FRA will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the State PMU Coordinator, in close collaboration with Project Analyst, Tribal Rights, UNDP with functional support from the State head of Office, UNDP Odisha and the project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Odisha. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives in coordination with the Government of Odisha.

Job Responsibilities

Coordinate effective planning and implementation.

• Provide technical support in preparation of action plan to the ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare Department, Government of Odisha to fast-track implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.(FRA);
• Guide and support in development of mechanisms, systems and data generation & analysis for tracking and monitoring the implementation of Forest Rights Act 2006;
• Guide in roll out of the FRA digital portal in the State and ensure that all data and reports are captured effectively;
• Undertake and prepare research and background materials for developing guidelines for convergence of schemes for FRA right holders, and other provisions of FRA ;
• Facilitate in providing technical inputs for recommendations of various Committees, preparation of policy briefs/status reports, guidelines, clarifications, designing specific interventions etc. for effective implementation of Act and promoting livelihood programmes for FRA right holders;
• Lead in preparation of reports, including background notes, technical papers, presentations, knowledge products etc.; and assist in identifying research priorities and facilitate in conducting research studies;
• Undertake compilation and preparation of state/district specific progress report on implementation of Forest Rights Act.

Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy.

• Organize capacity building workshops, consultations etc. to expedite recognition and management of rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006;
• Bring in technical knowledge in preparation & issuance of guidelines, facilitative circulars/orders, policy briefs & legal clarifications;
• Prepare state annual action plan on training and capacity building based on need assessment of different stakeholders involved including FRA cells at the district and below;
• Technical support in preparation and review of training resource materials (modules, manuals, SOPs etc.) catering to the training needs of different stakeholders;
• Ensure Gender specific results and monitoring of the FRA implementation in the State;
• Support the  State department in identifying villages and monitoring of CFR management plans and their implementation;
• Identify and facilitate documentation of human impact stories, good case studies, project success and challenges and innovative models;
• Prepare any relevant documents to support the necessary capacity development activities.;
• Prepare a monitoring framework for the status, results, and milestones for the capacity development;
• Facilitation of knowledge building and management, producing and disseminating lesson learnt from designated projects and support to the promotion of cross-project, cross-unit knowledge.

Establish partnerships and open channels of communication.

• Institutional mapping of different stakeholders in the state, working on different issues/ levels/areas on Forest Rights Act and Tribal development;
• Identify and map different resource persons available at the State and other regions for supporting the capacity building programmes on FRA, PESA and other Tribal development issues ;
• Ensure that project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving and benefiting both women and men in its activities (gender mainstreaming).

Education Qualification/Required Skills & Experience

• An advanced university degree (master´s degree or equivalent ) in Foresty, Anthropology, Rural Development, Development Studies, Sociology, Social Work or related field is required. Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree,

Experience:

• 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 in capacity building on protective law relating to Tribal Rights and Developments.

Required skills

• Proven experience and domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, tribal affairs, social justice and social inclusion;
• Proven experience in leading comprehensive capacity building programmes, design, and delivery;
• Experience in establishing, building, and sustaining effective relationships, partnerships, and alliances, advocate effectively and communicate sensitively.

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

• Working experience in Government or relevant multilateral institutions;
• Demonstrated experience of working with on the protective legislation for tribal communities (Forest Rights Act, PESA etc.);
• Experience in policy analysis and planning related to Tribal issues, Natural resource governance;
• Experience in tribal development, monitoring of schemes and programmes;
• Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming;
• Demonstrated ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource is desired.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in English and Odiya is required.

For more information please check the Link

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