Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF Partnership. UNDP oversees the Small Grants Programme (SGP) through the Vertical Hub and the Nature Hub of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.

Launched in 1992 as a corporate programme of the GEF, the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) has supported local action for over thirty years to address global environmental concerns.  SGP aims to deliver global environmental benefits in the GEF focal areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation, and elimination of persistent organic pollutants through community-based approaches. To date, SGP has funded over 29,000 community-based projects covering more than 120 countries. It has gained considerable experience at the community level, including adapting to climate change while addressing issues of the GEF focal areas.  Further information can be found at: https://sgp.undp.org/.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Resident Representative (or Deputy Resident Representative) and under a matrix reporting to the of the SGP Regional Programme Specialist, the SGP National Coordinator will be responsible for supporting the management and implementation of the overall work of SGP and the National Steering Committee at the country level.

The incumbent contributes substantively to programme planning, portfolio management, monitoring, and knowledge exchange, ensuring effective liaison with grantees, the National Steering Committee (NSC), and relevant partners.

Programme Coordination and Technical Support
• Provide technical and operational support in the formulation, review, and implementation of SGP-funded projects, ensuring consistency with SGP strategic priorities and the Country Programme Strategy (CPS).
• Support the development and monitoring of the annual Country Programme work plan and budget, ensuring timely implementation of approved activities.
• Maintain accurate and updated portfolio and project monitoring data, including grantee contact information, project status, and co-financing contributions.
• Liaise regularly with grantees to support proposal refinement, reporting, and problem-solving on technical and operational issues.
• Maintain working linkages between SGP community projects and relevant national initiatives, including full- and medium-sized GEF projects, as well as related government programmes and policies, to ensure information flow and complementarity.
• Assist with field monitoring, site visits, and documentation of implementation progress and results.

Partnerships, Engagement and NSC Liaison 
• Support development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with the full range of Small Grants Programme stakeholders including government agencies, donors, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, and other UNDP and GEF initiatives, to ensure coordination and complementarity of efforts.
• Support implementation of the SGP partnership and resource mobilization strategy in close coordination with the Country Office and the SGP Regional Programme Specialist.
• Assist in identifying opportunities for co-financing and partnerships at both project and programme levels, and provide guidance to grantees in developing joint initiatives or scaling up successful projects.
• Engage and act as liaison with the National Steering Committee (NSC), supporting its operations, facilitating communication between members and other stakeholders, and ensuring that NSC recommendations are reflected in programme coordination and outreach.
• Provide inputs to communication and visibility efforts that showcase the comparative advantage and results of the SGP within the wider UNDP and GEF portfolios.
• Facilitate the participation of partners, grantees, and NSC members in knowledge exchange, policy dialogues, and national or regional events relevant to SGP objectives.

Programme Monitoring and Reporting
• Contribute to the preparation of periodic progress reports, financial updates, and annual monitoring submissions to the SGP Central Programme Management Team (CPMT) and the Country Office.
• Support data compilation and quality assurance for project tracking, indicators, and outcome documentation.
• Assist with audits, evaluations, and compliance reviews by providing background information, documentation, and follow-up on findings.

Operational and Administrative Support
• Prepare and process documentation related to project grants, payments, procurement, and travel in line with UNDP and SGP procedures.
• Monitor and report the status of financial transactions and coordinate with the Country Office operations team to ensure timely processing.
• Maintain organized records and archives for all SGP operational activities.
• Provide logistical and administrative assistance for meetings, workshops, and field visits.
    
Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communication
• Document programme/project stories, lessons learned, and best practices in SGP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight. 
• Access SGP and other global and regional knowledge, distill best practices and facilitate their dissemination and incorporation within SGP Country Programme and projects, UNDP CO, and to counterparts and partners; 
• Contribute inputs to resource mapping and partnership initiative.
• Support capacity building and networking of grantees to facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote uptake through Knowledge platforms, Knowledge fairs, etc.

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

Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will be based in the UNDP [enter name of CO] offices;
• The incumbent will have a matrixed reporting line to the Resident Representative (or Deputy Resident Representative) and to the SGP Regional Programme Specialist, in accordance with SGP Operational Guidelines;
• The incumbent will be responsible for the supervision and development of the SGP Programme Associate/ Assistant {where applicable}
• The incumbent will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• The incumbent will be provided with a workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and access to reliable internet connection

Competencies

Achieve Results:
LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:
LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:
LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:
LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination: 
LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:
LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:
LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies  

Business Direction & Strategy - Strategic Thinking: 
• Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources  to anticipate and  effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight

Business Management - Results-based Management:    
• Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools

Business Management - Communication:    
• Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Business Direction & Strategy - Systems 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

Business Management - Project Management:    
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Partnership management - Strategic engagement:    
• Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

2030 Agenda: Planet - Nature:    
• Local Action

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA

Min. Education requirements
    
• High School Diploma or equivalent or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in in Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Economy, Public Policy, Law, Environmental Economics/Management, Business Administration or a related field will be considered in lieu of required years of experience

Min. years of relevant work experience     

• Seven (7) years of relevant professional experience in managing environment / natural resource management projects / initiatives at national or local levels
• Applicants with Bachelor’s Degree in relevant field may be considered with four (4) years relevant experience.

Required skills 
    
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems is required.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section
    
• Progressively responsible experience in project or programme management or related area at international and/or national level is desirable. 
• Proven experience in supporting and/or providing services for the design, management and monitoring and evaluation of UN/DP Programmes and/or development projects including results-based management a significant advantage
• Experience in any of the GEF-SGP thematic areas at the national level highly desirable
• Knowledge of strategic programmes, Results Based Management and operational policies of UNDP is an asset
• Proven experience working in a sensitive environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors (e.g. NGOs, CSOs, government, etc.) is desired.

Required Language(s) 
    
• Fluency in English and the national language of the duty station required 
• Knowledge of other UN language is an advantage

Professional Certificates    

• N/A
 

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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