Technical Expert Agriculture and Livelihood, SAMS, New Delhi
1. POSITION VACANT: Technical Expert Agriculture and Livelihood, SAMS, New Delhi
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:
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 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.
The Action for Climate and Environment (ACE) Unit at UNDP is organized around the thematic areas of climate change adaptation and mitigation, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, ecosystem & land restoration, disaster management and resilience, and access to clean and efficient energy. The Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity pillar of ACE is supporting the Government of India in meeting national development objectives along with commitments under important multilateral environment agreements especially the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). The programme/projects under the pillar have been supporting the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC), National and State level planning for land restoration and biodiversity conservation, habitat restoration, carbon sequestration through enhanced restoration, promotion of nature-based livelihoods and One Health approach.
UNDP is supporting the Ministry in the implementation of a GEF -7 project “Sustainable management and restoration of degraded landscapes for achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in India”. The project aims to achieve land degradation neutrality by creating additional carbon sinks through an ecosystem-based approach for restoring degraded agricultural, forest, pastoral lands, and surface water bodies. It involves enabling institutional frameworks and policies for integrated sustainable land management practices and up-scaling landscape-wide practices in 3 states Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh contributing to the national target of restoring 26 Mha of degraded lands by 2030.
The project being implemented over a period of five years will lead to the following outcomes: (1) Enhanced national, state and district-level enabling frameworks incentivizing SLM practices and supporting participatory multi-sector platforms to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation, biodiversity loss and climate mitigation; (2) Integrated participatory landscape design and financing models established in support of avoidance, reduction and reversal of land degradation, desertification, biodiversity loss and negative impacts of climate change to generates multiple sustained environmental and economic benefits; (3) Improved capacity for LDN monitoring, assessment and reporting to UNCCD in support of LDN target setting and evaluation of capacities of partners; allowing government institutions and other agencies to better document, analyse and disseminate effective intervention strategies for restoring productive landscapes and replication of best practices at national and state level, and at international level through improved South-South cooperation, knowledge and adaptive management.
3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):
The Technical Expert- Agriculture and Livelihood will Provide technical expertise in sustainable agriculture and livelihood enhancement strategies. Support integration of climate-smart agriculture, soil health management, and income-generating activities into project interventions. Ensure alignment of livelihoods with land restoration objectives. Assist in improving productivity while promoting sustainable land use practice.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the overall supervision of the National Project Manager, the Technical Expert- Agriculture and Livelihood will undertake the following responsibilities:
(1) Provide guidance on sustainable land management practices: Advise on adoption of sustainable agricultural practices such as conservation agriculture, integrated nutrient management, and agroecology. Ensure that interventions enhance productivity while restoring soil health.
(2) Review livelihood interventions for sustainability: Assess livelihood components to ensure they are environmentally sustainable and economically viable. Validate proposed activities against LDN objectives and long-term community benefits.
(3) Promote climate-smart agriculture models: Recommend climate-resilient cropping systems and farming practices that reduce vulnerability to climate variability. Support integration of risk-reduction strategies into farming systems.
(4) Validate agroforestry and diversification plans: Review and guide crop diversification and agroforestry initiatives to ensure ecological suitability and livelihood enhancement. Promote integrated farming systems.
(5) Integrate livelihoods with restoration goals: Ensure that livelihood activities are directly linked with land restoration outcomes. Promote models that deliver both ecological and economic co-benefits.
(6) Advise on soil health improvement strategies: Recommend interventions such as organic amendments, biofertilizers, and soil testing frameworks. Support restoration of soil fertility in degraded lands.
(7) Identify income-generating opportunities: Suggest innovative livelihood options such as NTFPs, eco-enterprises, and value chain development aligned with restoration. Enhance community income while reducing pressure on land.
(8) Ensure convergence with livelihood schemes: Facilitate linkage with schemes such as NRLM, MGNREGS, and PMFBY. Strengthen institutional support and financial sustainability.
(9) Promote inclusive and gender-responsive approaches: Ensure that women, smallholders, and vulnerable groups are actively included in livelihood interventions. Promote equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms.
(10) Support evidence-based adaptive management: Review performance of livelihood interventions and recommend improvements. Contribute to learning and scaling up of successful models.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
Master’s in Agriculture, Agronomy, Rural Development, or related field; 3–5 years’ experience in agriculture, rural livelihoods, or sustainable land management.
Experience:
(1) Minimum 3–5 years of experience in sustainable agriculture, rural livelihood development, or natural resource-based livelihoods.
(2) Proven experience in climate-smart agriculture, agroforestry, or soil health improvement initiatives.
(3) Experience working with government programmes such as NRLM, MGNREGS, or similar rural development initiatives, preferably in convergence settings.
Required Skills:
(1) Strong organizational, documentation and coordination skills with attention to detail.
(2) Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
(3) Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and basic project tracking tools.
(4) Good communication skills for coordinating with diverse stakeholders.
(5) Ability to work effectively as part of a team and support senior project staff.
(6) Knowledge of sustainable agriculture, agronomy, and rural livelihoods.
(7) Experience in designing climate-smart and resource-efficient farming systems.
(8) Understanding of value chains and income diversification strategies.
(9) Ability to work with communities and farmer groups.
(10) Monitoring and evaluation of agriculture-based interventions.
(11) Strong analytical writing and documentation skills.
Skills and Competencies:
Functional Competencies:
(1) Strong understanding of sustainable land management and climate-resilient agriculture practices.
(2) Ability to design and evaluate livelihood models linking ecological restoration with income generation.
(3) Good analytical and problem-solving skills in assessing socio-economic and environmental trade-offs.
Core Competencies
(1) Results-oriented and accountable approach to work.
(2) Ability to adapt to evolving project needs.
(3) Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, and scientific rigor in technical advice.
(4) Promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing across multidisciplinary teams.
(5) Maintains transparency and accountability in all advisory processes.
(6) Demonstrates commitment to inclusive, gender-sensitive development approaches.
(7) Encourages innovation and adaptive learning in livelihood strategies.
(8) Works collaboratively with stakeholders in a multidisciplinary environment.
Languages:
(1) Excellent command in written and spoken English and Hindi.
5. CONSULTANCY FEE:
The total consultancy fee budgeted for this position is INR 1,11,753 per month, subject to the candidate's qualifications, relevant experience, and demonstrated expertise. Applicable TDS will be deducted from the professional fees.
6. 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.
7. LOCATION: New Delhi
8. REFERENCE: TEAL-ND
9. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025
Phone Nos.: 011- 4081 9900; 4165 3612
www.sams.co.in
10. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to submit their applications using the link below, on or before July 22, 2026.
Application Link: https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/technical-expert-agriculture-and-livelihood-sams-new-delhi-strategic-alliance-management-services-private-limited-new-delhi/649