Project Lead-Scope PMU, SAMS,
Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
1. POSITION VACANT: Project Lead-Scope PMU, SAMS/UNDP
2. ORGANISATIONAL BACKGROUND:
Our Client, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
UNDP has been working 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. 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 support the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerate the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.
For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
In Andhra Pradesh, Scheduled Castes (SCs) constitute a significant share of the population, accounting for 16.41% as per the Census of India 2011 (post-bifurcation data for the present state), representing roughly 82 lakh persons. This sizeable demographic presence highlights their central role in the state’s social and cultural fabric. Yet, development indicators reveal continuing disparities. According to the Government of Andhra Pradesh (Socio-Economic Survey 2020–21), the overall literacy rate in Andhra Pradesh stands at 67.41%, compared to 64.47% among SC communities, reflecting a gap of about three percentage points. Gender disparities are sharper: Census 2011 data show overall female literacy at 59.15%, while SC female literacy is lower at 54.44%, underscoring persistent educational disadvantage among SC women.
Employment trends further point to structural inequities. Although workforce participation among SCs is significant—driven largely by engagement in agriculture and informal labour—the concentration in low-paid, insecure occupations limits economic mobility and access to social protection. SC women, youth, and persons with disabilities experience compounded barriers in education, employment, and access to services, while rural–urban disparities further widen development gaps. Limited availability of updated, disaggregated data and insufficiently targeted approaches within existing systems constrain efforts to effectively address these intra-group inequities.
Together, these patterns indicate that while SC communities form an integral and substantial segment of Andhra Pradesh’s population, sustained and evidence-based interventions in literacy, skill development, and equitable employment opportunities remain essential to bridging long-standing social and economic gaps.
Despite efforts by both central and state governments through welfare schemes and targeted programs, significant challenges remain in ensuring equitable access to opportunities for SC populations. While some progress has been made in reducing social exclusion and improving law enforcement responsiveness to crimes against SCs, the broader development gap in terms of income, education and socio-economic participation remains evident. To bridge this gap and accelerate inclusive development in Andhra Pradesh, a well-structured financial partnership with the Government is essential to amplify interventions that promote education, skill building, economic empowerment, and social equity for Scheduled Castes across the state.
To ensure the effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of targeted interventions for Scheduled Caste development, the establishment of a dedicated Technical Project Management Unit (PMU) is critical. A PMU will provide specialized expertise in project design, financial management, and impact assessment, bridging the gap between policy objectives and ground-level execution. It will enable systematic coordination among multiple stakeholders, including government departments, local bodies, and community organizations, ensuring that resources are optimally utilized and outcomes are measurable. Furthermore, the PMU will strengthen monitoring and evaluation frameworks, facilitate timely reporting, and support evidence-based decision making, thereby significantly enhancing the effectiveness, transparency, and sustainability of development programs for SC communities in Andhra Pradesh.
SCOPE – Scheduled Caste Operational Coordination & Empowerment is envisioned as a strategic institutional reform initiative to strengthen the governance architecture of Scheduled Caste development in Andhra Pradesh by embedding integrated planning, cross-departmental coordination, data-driven decision-making, and accountable implementation systems. The project seeks to enhance operational efficiency, build institutional and human capacities, and foster data-driven decision-making to ensure targeted interventions achieve maximum social and economic impact. By promoting partnerships across government departments, civil society, and other stakeholders, SCOPE aims to create a sustainable framework for inclusive growth, accountability, and continuous learning in SC-focused development initiatives.
3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):
It is proposed to engage a Project Lead-Scope PMU to lead the project management unit (PMU) at the Andhra Pradesh Scheduled Caste Cooperative Financial Corporation (APSCCFC), Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, and provide overall strategic direction, coordination, and leadership across all thematic areas including livelihoods, skill development, MSME promotion, infrastructure, financial inclusion, and governance reforms.
The Project Lead-Scope PMU will be part of the Project Management Unit and s/he will directly report to the Project Coordinator (NPSA) and will work under the overall supervision of Managing Director, APSCCFC, Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and project team members and day to day supervision on the implementation issues with the Government of Andhra Pradesh. S/He will ensure the engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Duties and Responsibilities:
(1) Provide overall technical support, strategic direction, coordination, and leadership for all SC
development initiatives under SCOPE in Andhra Pradesh.
(2) Lead and provide strategic guidance to the PMU team in effective planning, monitoring and
implementation of the SC Welfare Programmes in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
(3) Lead and strategize the advocacy work, identify research areas and develop capacity
building programmes for implementing officers and practitioners on the ground.
(4) Guide thematic leads and across livelihood, MSME, infrastructure, skill development, and
governance domains.
(5) Ensure alignment of departmental programs and AP SC Finance Corporation activities with
state and central government policies, and objectives.
(6) Strengthen coordination between SC Welfare Department, AP SC Finance Corporation, and
other line departments.
(7) Represent the State in central and state government meetings, workshops, consultations,
and review forums related to SC development.
(8) Undertake coordination with the SC Welfare Department knowledge partners for initiating
partnerships etc.
(9) Organize workshops, seminars and round tables to share project outputs with stakeholders
involved. Render support to related UNDP thematic activities such as publications,
knowledge sharing and group discussions.
(10) Monitor implementation of project components, analyze problems that hamper their
implementation and take appropriate measures to ensure timely delivery of project’s
resources (inputs) for the achievement of programmatic results.
(11) Ensure that the project produces the results specified in the project document to the
required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost. Maintain
the production of project outputs through activities.
(12) Prepare the Quarterly/ Annual Project Reports (progress against planned activities, update
the Project Assurance team, Annual Work Plans (AWP), Annual Plans of Activities and
Procurement Plans for the project’s implementation period.
(13) Provide guidance on strategic resource allocation and prioritization of SC development
investments.
(14) Identify implementation risks, systemic bottlenecks, and institutional gaps; recommend
mitigation strategies.
(15) The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary
for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
(1) A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) with/or a Master's degree), in Social Sciences, Rural Development, Development Management, Social Work, Public Policy or related field is required. or related field is required.
Experience:
(1) A minimum of 2 years (with a Masters's degree) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of work experience in public policy, rural development or relevant related field is required.
Skills & Competencies:
(1) Strategic Thinking: Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities, linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
(2) Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources,
procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals
(3) Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
(4) 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
Required Skill:
(1) Prior experience and domain knowledge in areas like governance, convergence, SC Welfare, social justice, and social inclusion.
(2) Demonstrated experience of addressing challenges pertaining to SC development.
(3) Experience in project management in the fields of SC development, laws and policies,
innovations in governmental or non-governmental organizations.
(4) Prior experience in research and analysis of policy and programmes related to Tribal
development
(5) Experience of working with the Central Government/ State Government is essential.
(6) Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming is an asset.
(7) Brings visibility and sensitizes decision makers to relevant emerging issues.
(8) Ability to use information and communication technology as a tool and resource.
(9) Residents of Andhra Pradesh will have an added advantage.
5. LANGUAGES:
(1) Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is essential.
(2) A good working knowledge of local language (Telugu) of the duty station will be needed.
6. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: Twelve months (Renewable based on performance and other factors)
7. CONSULTANCY FEE:
The gross monthly consultancy fee for the position shall Rs. INR 150,000 PM. The professional fee will be subject to withholding taxes, as applicable.
8. NATURE OF ENGAGEMENT:
The selected candidate shall be engaged as a Consultant on the rolls of SAMS, a third-party payrolling agency, for a full-time consultancy engagement for a period of one year. It is explicitly clarified that this consultancy engagement does not constitute a promise or guarantee of future employment, with SAMS, or our client, or any other organization associated with the project.
9. LOCATION: Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
10. REFERENCE: PL-SDG-AP
11. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
B-18, Sector-06, Gautam Buddh Nagar,
NOIDA, Uttar Pradesh -201301
Phone Nos.: 0120- 4161355/56
www.sams.co.in | www.samsconsult.com
12. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to upload their applications, using the link below, by or before April 24, 2026:
https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/project-leadscope-pmu-sams-hr-consulting-vijayawada/502