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 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 supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet.

UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our 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.

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

You are invited to join a team of future-smart development professionals to support India in achieving the national and globally agreed goals. As part of the UNDP team, your focus will be to work with diverse stakeholders to find country-specific solutions that lead to sustainable development and reach those furthest behind first.

More than half of all livelihoods in India is primarily dependent on agriculture. A massive 54.6% of the total workforce is engaged in agricultural and allied sector activities and 57% of the rural households are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the agricultural sector is facing various challenges like small landholding, declining productivity, rising input costs, declining farm income, the adverse impact of climate change, and decline in the percentage share of workers engaged in the agriculture sector. Agricultural production shocks have huge social and financial repercussions, impacting rural income levels, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and poverty rates.

The Government of India’s flagship schemes Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and KCC/MISS have become important tools to strengthen the resilience of Indian farmers. The schemes ensure maximum benefits for the farmers by providing financial risk protection against natural calamities and catastrophic events including pests, climate uncertainties and environmental shocks. Apart from providing comprehensive risk coverage for the entire crop cycle, PMFBY also enables direct claim transfer into farmers’ accounts through e- remittance. Additionally, to address agrarian distress, Kisan Credit Card/ Modified Interest Subvention Scheme (MISS) was introduced by the Government of India to provide cheap and hassle-free credit for millions of farmers and to ensure continued investment into agriculture to bring in mechanisation, modernise agriculture practices and eventually enhance productivity.

UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2023-2027) intended outcome 2 states that “By 2027, people will benefit from and contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth through higher productivity, competitiveness and diversification in economic activities that create decent work, livelihoods, and income particularly for youth and women”. UNDP leverages its expertise in systems strengthening to support the Ministry of Agriculture through setting up of Central Program Management Unit (CPMU) for the implementation of PMFBY and KCC, to improve institutional and programme responsiveness, increase coverage and better access among marginalised and excluded farm households, offering innovative measures and support mechanisms for Agri- value chain financing, risk management and reduced crop loss for the rural population in India. The PMU will also focus on providing Capacity Building and Training support to participating state-level government departments involved in PMFBY and KCC and advancing the scheme among new states for improved uptake.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting To: Specialist Non-Life Actuary (NPSA 10)

Repotees to this position (if applicable):

• Data Analysis & MIS Analyst (NPSA-09)
• Insurance & Banking Business Analyst (NPSA 8)
• MIS Support Assistant (NPSA 3)

The Data Analytics and Strategic Insights Analyst will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the National Programme Director-TSU. S/He will ensure engagement of all direct stakeholders and delivery of project objectives, in coordination with the Joint Secretary & CEO, DoA&FW, MoA&FW when needed.

Maintain and Strengthen the National Database for PMFBY and RWBCIS

• Work extensively on the National Crop Insurance Portal to ensure accurate, complete, and real-time data capture on underwriting, claims, enrolment, and notifications.
• Oversee data validation, integration of datasets from insurers, banks, and state departments, and ensure alignment with scheme guidelines and regulatory requirements.
• Support enhancements to the portal by identifying data gaps, system limitations, and recommending functional improvements to strengthen decision-making.

Assess and Improve Data Quality; Develop Analytical Platforms for Stakeholders

• Conduct detailed data quality assessments, including identifying inconsistencies, missing data, structural issues, and process-level reasons for poor data quality.
• Propose and implement actionable solutions such as automated validation rules, improved data governance, revised reporting formats, and standardized processes.
• Design and operationalize analytical dashboards and data platforms enabling stakeholders (States, insurers, banks, TSUs, MoA&FW) to run advanced analyses, generate insights, and support decision- making.
• Apply data engineering methods (ETL pipelines, warehousing, SQL/Python/R-based processing) to ensure seamless flow and availability of high-quality datasets.

Build Analytical Capacity of Implementing Agencies and State TSUs

• Support State Technical Support Units (TSUs) in developing in-house analytical capability for data interpretation, trend analysis, claim estimation, and notification design.
• Provide hands-on guidance, training, and capacity-building workshops on analytics tools, modelling techniques, data governance, and use of digital platforms.
• Develop SOPs, templates, and toolkits to institutionalize analytical processes within State-level PMFBY/RWBCIS operations.

Design and Implement Proof of Concept (POC) for Strategic Initiatives

• Conceptualize, pilot, and test innovative solutions such as digital data capture, remote sensing, behavioural nudges, and automation aligned with programme objectives.
• Develop evaluation frameworks to assess feasibility, scalability, cost-effectiveness, and operational impact of POCs.
• Document results, learnings, and recommendations to facilitate adoption and institutionalization by the Ministry and States.

Identify Project Delivery Issues and Coordinate Project Resources Effectively

• Track implementation risks, delays, partner performance issues, and operational constraints that may affect project outputs.
• Coordinate with internal teams, consultants, State partners, and national stakeholders to ensure timely resolution of issues.
• Manage assigned project components, ensuring alignment with timelines, quality standards, and contractual obligations.

Provide Timely Inputs for Reporting Requirements of UNDP and Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

• Contribute high-quality inputs for progress reports, MIS submissions, dashboards, technical notes, and review documents.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports to summarize achievements, challenges, data insights, and recommendations.
• Support presentations for Steering Committees, senior leadership meetings, and government reviews.

Perform Any Other Tasks Assigned by the National Programme Director – CPMU/TSU

• Undertake additional duties related to analytics, strategy, reporting, stakeholder engagement, capacity building, or programme innovation as required.
• Support cross-project coordination within UNDP to ensure synergies, knowledge sharing, and alignment across agriculture and livelihoods programmes.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

People Management:

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Data

• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real-Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision making

Digital

• Data privacy and digital ethics: Knowledge of ethical usage of digital technology (e.g. AI, robotics, automation) and data. Ability to assess ethical implications when using, combining or sharing data, when building or implementing AI systems, and when advising on robotisation and automation etc. Ability to design privacy protocols to ensure data is protected and used for legitimate purposes without unnecessary privacy risks.
• Data engineering: Ability in programming languages such as SQL, Python, and R, be adept at finding warehousing solutions, and using ETL (Extract, Transfer, Load) tools, and understanding basic machine learning and algorithms.
• Tech literacy: Ability to apply new digital tools or adapt their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it”s used as a “”means to an end””.

Business Management

• Monitoring and evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks. Ability to anticipate client”s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Digital Awareness and Literacy: Ability and inclination to rapidly adopt new technologies, either through skillfully grasping their usage or through understanding their impact and empowering others to use them as needed. Knowledge of the usage of digital technologies and emerging trends.

Business Direction & Strategy

• System Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master”s degree or equivalent) in Statistics/ Economics / Business Analytics/ Business Administration, or equivalent is required; or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in Crop Insurance and working experience with Govt. Sector.
• Strong understanding of India’s crop-insurance regulatory framework, with the ability to analyse large insurance datasets and apply insights to strategic planning, results-based management, and reporting.
• Comprehensive expertise in agriculture insurance- including product design, indemnity and index-based products, national schemes, and regulatory frameworks- combined with broad knowledge of risk management, rural insurance and finance schemes, stakeholder outreach, procurement processes, and environmental and social safeguards.

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

• Knowledge/ Working experience in data analytical tools such as Power BI, Tableau, SQL and advanced Excel.
• Experience engaging diverse stakeholders, leading consultative meetings and trainings at national and state level with partners and senior stakeholders to identify priorities and managing the timely delivery of project activities, and delivering results through strong project planning—while adapting effectively to complex and changing environments.

Required Languages

• Fluency in English and Hindi is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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