PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

NIUA and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) are jointly implementing a GEF 7-funded project titled UrbanShift (Livable Cities in India: Demonstrating Sustainable Urban Planning and Development through Integrated Approaches). The project aims to transform Indian cities through integrated urban planning which would lead to reducing GHG emissions, air pollution and congestion, protecting and conserving ecologically sensitive areas by building capacity of state and city authorities. The objective of project is to demonstrate low emissions, resilient, nature-based inclusive sustainable urban development in selected cities and support scale-up nationally. The project would provide technical assistance and investment for undertaking the following activities in the target cities (Pune & Surat) and the replication cities (Agra & Puducherry):

• Evidence-based sustainable and integrated planning;
• Investments in low emissions, resilient, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and mobility;
• Innovative financing solutions for cities; and
• Knowledge management and capacity development: Knowledge products, good practices and tools would be made available to national, state and city authorities as well as other stakeholders through the National Urban Learning Platform (NULP).

The project will also focus on enabling gender mainstreaming practices and processes through inclusion of gender expertise, stakeholder consultations with women, adoption of gender responsive planning and budgeting processes and mandatory gender assessment of all urban development projects.

PROJECT STAFFING:

The project will be implemented through a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at city-level which will include a City Project Coordinator (CPC) and other subject matter experts. With this background, applications for the following PIU position is being invited:

1. City Project Coordinator (CPC), PIU – Surat, UrbanShift 

The project tenure is 4 years (till September 2026). For each of the above positions, one-year contract (renewable on a yearly basis, subject to performance evaluation) will be awarded at the time of employment.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

All applications should be submitted on the NIUA website and MUST contain a detailed resume, cover letter, writing sample and three professional references. The last date for applying is May 25, 2025. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted to appear for an interview. Candidates are encouraged to participate in the interview process in person. However, if a candidate is unable to travel for the interview, this should be mentioned in the cover letter so that necessary arrangements for a virtual interaction can be made.

1. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The City Project Coordinator shall contribute to executing GEF projects and help ULBs to execute the project as per the best practices in the relevant sector. The incumbent’s role is key to effective planning and implementation of the UrbanShift Country Project at their respective city. S/he will be responsible for coordinating all activities pertaining to the long-term planning/ reporting/ execution of each of the identified city-level GEF 7 projects and ensure their timely and quality implementation. S/he shall be responsible for the following activities:

1. 1. Work as team leader of Project Implementation Unit (PIU) set up at the city-level
   2. In consultation with the Project Implementation Lead (PIL)/ Team Lead (TL) at NIUA and City Project Director (CPD) at city-level, take lead in planning, coordinating, and monitoring the activities of the Project and reporting to PIL/ TL at PMU (NIUA).
   3. Ensure that project implementation is carried out according to the project design and the outputs are delivered and outcomes achieved to the required standard of quality within the approved timeframe and budget.
   4. Regular communication with city level governmental agencies, state level government agencies (as required), city Coordination Group members, and all other key stakeholders. Liaise with concerned State and local government bodies on a regular basis to ensure their active contribution and participation in the project.
   5. Support the PIL/ TL at NIUA in organizing project related workshops such as Inception Workshop, Project Steering Committee meetings and other project related meetings.
   6. Supervision of the city-level staff, experts, subcontractors, and implementing partners working on the project.
   7. Foster partnerships with State Level Training Institutions.
   8. Identify capacity development and training needs of various stakeholders and support PIL/ TL at NIUA to arrange for necessary trainings.
   9. Ensure that the knowledge products prepared under the Project are of high quality and are disseminated and used by the relevant institutions and stakeholders.
   10. Undertake field visits to track progress made in implementation of the project and take corrective actions as required.
   11. Identification of risks and opportunities, preparation and implementation of mitigations measures.
   12. Track project achievements against the Results Framework, Core Indicator worksheet and Gender Action Plan.
   13. Support to ensure effective financial management and reporting as per the UNEP financial guidelines
   14. Participate and actively engage in the periodic review meetings and discussions related to project implementation, monitoring and follow-up.
   15. Any other responsibility assigned by the National Project Director (NPD), PIL / TL (NIUA) and City Project Director (CPD).