Team Lead - Technical Support Cell - TRILINK, SAMS, Andhra Pradesh
1. POSITION VACANT: Team Lead - Technical Support Cell - TRILINK, Andhra Pradesh, SAMS
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.
UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on the prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:
• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability
For more information about UNDP India, please visit https://www.undp.org/india
PROJECT BACKGROUND:
Andhra Pradesh is home to one of the largest tribal populations in India, with Scheduled Tribes (STs) constituting 5.53% of the state's population (Census 2011), representing over 2.7 million people. The state is home to 26 notified Scheduled Tribes, primarily residing in the tribal regions of Alluri Sitharama Raju, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Eluru, and other districts. Tribal communities largely depend on agriculture, horticulture, Minor Forest Produce (MFP), livestock, and traditional crafts for their livelihoods. Recognizing the need for inclusive tribal development, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has implemented several flagship programmes and welfare initiatives through the Tribal Welfare Department, Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), and Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) to improve livelihoods, enhance access to markets, strengthen community institutions, and promote the socio-economic development of tribal communities.
Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC) is the nodal institution responsible for promoting the economic development of tribal communities by supporting procurement of Minor Forest Produce, marketing of tribal products, supply of essential commodities, value addition, and enterprise development. Over the years, GCC has played a significant role in improving market access, creating livelihood opportunities, and enhancing income generation for tribal producers. As GCC continues to expand its operations and diversify its services, there is a growing need to strengthen its institutional systems and operational capacities to effectively respond to evolving market opportunities and emerging development priorities. GCC works closely with the Integrated Tribal Development Agencies (ITDAs), tribal producer groups, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, and community-based institutions across the tribal districts of Andhra Pradesh to strengthen procurement systems, promote value addition, facilitate market access, and support enterprise development. Through its extensive field network and partnerships, GCC plays a pivotal role in connecting tribal producers with sustainable livelihood opportunities while ensuring better price realization and economic empowerment.
As GCC continues to expand its role in promoting tribal livelihoods and enterprise development, there is a significant opportunity to further strengthen its institutional systems and operational capabilities to meet emerging market demands and leverage advances in digital technologies. Modernizing business processes, enhancing digital integration, strengthening financial and procurement systems, and adopting data-driven decision-making will enable GCC to improve operational efficiency, enhance service delivery, and respond more effectively to evolving market opportunities. Further investments in business intelligence, branding, retail marketing, and market linkages will strengthen the competitiveness of tribal products, expand market access, and create a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem for tribal livelihoods and enterprise development.
UNDP has been partnering with the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for the period 2024–2027 to provide technical assistance for strengthening the implementation of tribal development programmes across the state. The partnership focuses on enhancing institutional capacities, improving programme planning and monitoring, strengthening convergence, and supporting evidence-based implementation of key state and centrally sponsored initiatives. Building on the progress and strong collaboration established under the ongoing partnership, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified the need for dedicated technical support to further strengthen the institutional and business functions of Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC).
Accordingly, TRILINK – Tribal Livelihoods & Market Linkages Initiative is proposed as a focused technical assistance initiative under the broader UNDP–Tribal Welfare Dep, Government of Andhra Pradesh partnership. Through the establishment of a dedicated Technical Support Cell within GCC, the initiative will provide specialized expertise to strengthen digital transformation, financial management, procurement systems, business analytics, market intelligence, branding, and retail marketing. The initiative will also support improved planning, monitoring, stakeholder coordination, and institutional capacity, enabling GCC to operate more efficiently, enhance the competitiveness of tribal products, strengthen market linkages, and create an enabling ecosystem that contributes to sustainable livelihood opportunities and economic empowerment of tribal communities across Andhra Pradesh.
3. JOB PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF WORK (SOW):
It is proposed to engage a Team Lead – Technical Support Cell to lead the team under TRILINK – Tribal Livelihoods & Market Linkages Initiative at the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), Government of Andhra Pradesh. The Team Lead will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight to strengthen GCC's institutional systems a nd operational performance, with a focus on digital transformation, financial management, procurement, business development, branding, retail marketing, and market linkages to enhance sustainable tribal livelihood opportunities. The Team Lead will also drive institutional reforms, business process improvements, performance monitoring, and cross-functional coordination to strengthen GCC's operational efficiency and service delivery across procurement, value addition, retail operat ions, and market development.
The Team Lead will head the Technical Support Cell and will report directly report to the Project Coordinator -SMPN (NPSA) and overall report to the Managing Director/Vice Chairman, Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC). S/He will work under the overall guidance of the Department of Tribal Welfare, Government of Andhra Pradesh, and UNDP, while coordinating closely with GCC officials, project team m embers, ITDAs, and other key stakeholders. The incumbent will ensure effective planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and delivery of project outputs, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and provide strategic and technical advisory
support to a chieve the objectives of the TRILINK initiative. 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:
The Team Lead – Technical Support Cell will be responsible for the following:
(1) Provide strategic leadership to the Technical Support Cell and oversee the overall planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring, and delivery of the TRILINK initiative in line with agreed objectives, work plans, and timelines.
(2) Lead institutional strengthening and business process improvement initiatives to enhance GCC's operational efficiency, governance systems, service delivery, and organizational performance.
(3) Provide strategic and technical guidance to the Technical Support Cell in implementing activities related to digital transformation, financial management, procurement, business analytics, value chain development, branding, retail marketing, and market link ages.
(4) Develop annual work plans, implementation strategies, monitoring frameworks, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and performance dashboards in consultation with GCC, the Department of Tribal Welfare, UNDP, and other key stakeholders.
(5) Provide strategic advisory support to GCC on tribal livelihoods, enterprise development, producer collectives, value addition, market systems, business intelligence, and institutional reforms to strengthen the competitiveness of tribal products.
(6) Establish and maintain effective coordination with GCC, ITDAs, Government departments, private sector organizations, financial institutions, producer organizations, and development partners to strengthen convergence, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
(7) Undertake regular field visits to procurement centres, tribal habitations, processing units, warehouses, retail outlets, and producer organizations to monitor implementation progress, identify operational challenges, and recommend practical solutions.
(8) Oversee project monitoring, reporting, quality assurance, and knowledge management, ensuring timely preparation of progress reports, presentations, policy briefs, and other knowledge products.
(9) Promote innovation, digital transformation, and data-driven decision-making by facilitating the adoption of modern technologies, integrated information systems, business intelligence tools, and digital platforms across GCC operations.
(10) Strengthen monitoring and review mechanisms by analysing programme performance, tracking key operational indicators, identifying implementation risks, and recommending corrective actions for continuous improvement.
(11) Promote gender-responsive planning and implementation by ensuring that women tribal producers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and vulnerable tribal communities are effectively integrated into project interventions and benefit from livelihood and enterprise development initiatives.
(12) Perform any other responsibilities assigned by UNDP and the Government of Andhra Pradesh to support the effective implementation and achievement of the objectives of the TRILINK initiative.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualification:
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:
A minimum of 2 years (with a Master's degree) or 4 years (with a Bachelor's degree) of relevant professional experience in programme management, tribal development, rural livelihoods, value chain development, institutional strengthening, public sector management, or related fields is required.
Required Skills:
(1) Prior experience in programme management, institutional strengthening, and implementation of development projects, preferably in livelihoods, rural development, tribal development, or public sector programmes.
(2) Experience in providing strategic and technical advisory support on digital transformation, business process improvement, financial management, procurement, or institutional reforms.
(3) Experience working with Government departments, public sector organizations, development agencies, or international organizations is highly desirable.
(4) Demonstrated experience in tribal livelihood promotion, producer collectives, value chain development, market systems, branding, and enterprise development.
(5) Strong analytical, strategic planning, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
(6) Excellent stakeholder coordination, partnership building, communication, report writing, and presentation skills.
(7) Knowledge of project planning, monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and evidence-based reporting systems.
(8) Knowledge of and experience in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion is desirable.
(9) Experience in monitoring organizational performance, developing Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and supporting institutional reforms will be an advantage.
(10) Ability to effectively use information and communication technology, digital platforms, and data management tools to support programme implementation and decision-making.
(11) Knowledge of Telugu and familiarity with the socio-economic context of Andhra Pradesh will be a strong advantage.
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: forge multi-Knowledge and ability to stakeholder partnerships and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi- stakeholder funding platforms.
(5) Business Process Improvement: Ability to identify operational gaps, strengthen institutional systems, improve workflows, and enhance organizational performance through innovative and practical solutions.
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 monthly consultancy fee for the position shall be commensurate with the Government norms, as applicable for the position. 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.
09. LOCATION: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
10. REFERENCE: TL-TSC-AP
11. 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
12. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in the position are requested to upload their applications by or before August 12, 2026.
Link: https://www.samsstc.com/Jobs/job-description/team-lead-technical-support-cell-trilink-andhra-pradesh-sams-strategic-alliance-management-services-private-limited-visakhapatnam/677