Grants Manager in UNDP Project

New environmental project “Civic Engagement in Environmental Monitoring and Improving Environmental Management at the Local Level” (hereinafter - Project financed by the European Union and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme is launched.

The overall goal of the project is to stimulate efficient and inclusive environmental management through civic engagement in the development and implementation of measures aimed at improving the environment and monitoring of environmental risks, which includes sharing environmental information, in particular in the field of ambient air quality.

The project will be implemented in all six oblasts of Belarus and the city of Minsk. Environmental clubs will be established in all six oblasts and the city of Minsk with the participation of environmental civil society organizations (CSOs). Actions will be taken to expand the network of “green schools” involving the National Centre for Ecology and Local Studies, the Academy of Post-Graduate Education and environmental CSOs. Efforts will be made to engage the teaching staff of secondary schools of all 118 districts of the country in project activity, particularly, encourage their participation in trainings.

The strategy of project implementation is based on four main types of activities described as project components:

• Component 1: Establishing/providing support to at least six environmental monitoring clubs/public environmental coordinating councils in the regions of Belarus (at least one in each oblast):

The Project will assist in the support of oblast-level and national public environmental coordinating councils in terms of engaging environmental CSOs and volunteers/community environmentalists for the monitoring of the violations of nature protection laws on a voluntary basis.
The support will be provided through training and provision of relevant teaching aids on the topic, conduct of workshops and trainings for volunteers/community environmentalists and environmental CSOs in each oblast and the city of Minsk with the support of the Committees of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.
Opinion polls will be conducted at the beginning of the Project and when the Project will be drawing to its end to determine the extent of the public awareness of environmental problems.
The question of the establishment and further operation of environmental monitoring clubs in each oblast of Belarus and in the city of Minsk will be explored in the framework of the Project and respective proposals will be put forward.

• Component 2: Involvement of at least three civil society organizations in the design of educational programmes, organization of education on environmental issues, and educational activity at minimum 70 “green schools” of the country:

The existing study guide for the “Green schools” elective course will be complemented with units on the monitoring of air quality and published. An additional short guide on “green schools” (methodological recommendations) with examples from existing schools will be developed and published for the schools that do not offer “green schools” elective courses and for environmental children's centres. As regards biodiversity conservation, the existing textbook for the elective course "Wildlife of Belarus" will be updated and published. It will be used by “green schools” for the study and conservation of local flora and fauna in school yards and around schools.
At least three CSOs will be selected on a competitive basis to train teaching staff as part of the "Green Schools" Project (biodiversity, waste, wise use of energy and water, public initiatives), and additionally on monitoring air quality. The experts will organize 28 regional three-day trainings for at least 280 teachers. The trainings will be conducted across Belarus, and teachers from any district will have an opportunity to participate.
The review and monitoring of at least 200 annual reports of “green schools” will be organized. The schools that have successfully completed the task to be granted the "Green School" status will receive certificates signed by the Minister of Education and the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The existing national website dedicated to “green schools”, which is currently maintained by Belarusian Pedagogical Society NGO, will be updated and supported. To motivate teachers and children from “green schools”, and to facilitate sharing of experience environmental camp sessions will be organized for them as part of the project at two national children's health-improving centres – “Zubryonok” and “Nadezhda”. The sessions will be conducted two years in a row during 12 days. At least 100 children from each of the seven regions will participate in these sessions and will study some methods of environmental monitoring and nature conservation.
The "Green Schools" Project will be adapted for implementation at kindergartens. Several pilot kindergartens will be selected, and their teaching staff will be trained. A model kindergarten will be furnished and organized at one of the preschools as part of the "Green Schools" Project.
The National Rehabilitation Centre for Children with Disabilities will become a pilot facility for testing the Green Schools approach in such type of educational institutions.

• Component 3: Ensuring cooperation between at least 15 “green schools” and local bodies authorized , to perform environmental monitoring regarding data collection and management:

Nine resource centres for “green schools” will be established in Belarus to ensure support to “green schools” and to organize the monitoring of the environment with children participation. The national centre and six regional out-of-school environmental centres for schoolchildren will act as resource centres for Minsk and oblasts. Both all-season children's national health-improving centres “Zubryonok” and “Nadezhda” will also receive equipment for the resource centres. Resource centres will be furnished with sets of equipment for environmental monitoring, and their staff will be trained. The centres will promote the “Green schools” Project and provide consultations to schools.
Sixteen “green schools” including resource centres will be equipped to perform the basic monitoring of the quality of atmospheric air. Recommendations on using monitoring equipment for “green schools”, including for the interpretation of data and periodic reporting will be developed and published. The personnel of schools and pupils will be trained in the rules of using measuring instruments.
Besides, trainings will be organized to strengthen cooperation between “green schools” and divisions of Hydromet. A guide on environmental monitoring methods with a focus on air quality will be developed and disseminated as part of the project among “green schools”.

• Component 4: Involving civil society organizations in regular consultations with government bodies responsible for environmental issues regarding such activity, and the operation of these CSOs as reliable partners in the implementation of relevant activities:

The experience of two Belarusian Aarhus centres as part of the Project will be analysed, and recommendations will be prepared to improve their efficiency. The centres will be furnished with the necessary equipment, furniture and materials, and consultations and training of personnel will be organized.
Information materials for the general public explaining the provisions of the Aarhus Convention and the relevant Belarusian laws will be developed, published and disseminated.
The Project will provide support to the local pilot initiatives of CSOs aiming at the wise use of natural resources, ecotourism, biodiversity conservation, waste management, improving the quality of atmospheric air, etc. by allocating grants in the amount between EUR 50,000 and 100,000.
In order to establish international relationships in the field of nature conservation and enhance the working capacity of Belarusian organizations (including CSOs) engaged in the monitoring of air quality and environmental education, their representatives will be offered an opportunity to participate in relevant international events, such as meetings of the Conference of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention and the Espoo Convention, meetings, etc. Besides, four study tours will be organized to EU countries to explore public participation in environmental monitoring and issues related to “green schools”.
In order to improve the efficiency of the Public Environmental Coordinating Council as a platform for discussing environmental policies, at least four meetings of the Council outside Minsk will be supported.
Support will be provided to the annual environmental forum organized by environmental CSOs and the National Ecoforum organized by the MNREP on a biannual basis to promote cooperation between Belarusian CSOs, central and local authorities.
The communication strategy will be developed at the beginning of the project. PR events will support the activities to contribute to the improvement of air quality such as cycling and public transport promotion and planting of trees.

 

The objectives of the assignment are as follows: (i) to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of grants to CSOs; (ii) to provide further technical and thematic assistance to the exiting Aarhus centers in Belarus; (iii) to broaden international cooperation and build the capacity of the organizations (including CSOs) of Belarus engaged in the monitoring of the quality of atmospheric air and environmental education; (iv) to provide support in conducting joint events for government bodies and the public,  in particular through organization of meetings of the Public Environmental Coordinating Council.

The Grants Coordinator assists the Project Manager for the successful implementation of project activities under component 4 of the Project. 

The Grant Coordinator will:

• Ensure effective engagement of CSOs and public into environmental decision-making and to support and further development activities of the existing Aarhus centers in the Republic of Belarus through provision of technical, advisory and thematic support;
• Ensure effective organization, coordination, completion and monitoring of the grants to CSOs;
• Organize trainings in the country and abroad, ensure further development of international cooperation in the field of CSOs engagement in environmental monitoring.
• He/she works under supervision of and in coordination with the Project Manager. The Grants Coordinator will be based in Minsk and report to the Project Manager. He/she supervises works being implemented by consultants and staff hired under relevant project activities.

Summary of key functions:

Overall components management:

• Assume primary responsibility for the daily 4th.  project component management (including further development of  the network of Aarhus centers,  full coordination of grants to CSOs, development of international cooperation and trainings for the organizations and stakeholders, including CSOs, organization of meetings of the Public Environmental Coordinating Council under auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection) - both organizational and substantive matters, budgeting, planning and general monitoring of the component implementation to ensure the results are in accordance with the Project Document and the rules and procedures established in the UNDP Programming Manual;
• Coordinate relevant project activities with other project activities and relevant technical assistance programs in Belarus.

Partnership building:

• Maintain regular contacts with the UNDP Country Office and the National Project Director on the component implementation issues within the respective competence;
• Liaise with relevant ministries, national institutes and other relevant institutions in order to involve their staff in the relevant project activities as necessary and gather and disseminate information relevant to the project tasks, which he/she is responsible for;
• Ensure adequate information flow, discussions and feedback among the various stakeholders of the relevant project activities;
• Support the Project Manager in planning and implementing the 4 project component activities.

Administrative and financial management:

• In consultation with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and UNDP, draft detailed work plans for the 4 project components, ensure implementation of the work plan, draft work plan revisions, if required;
• Draft and agree with the Project Manager, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and UNDP terms of reference for national and international consultants and subcontractors;
• Prepare and provide briefing and background materials to the Project Manager, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, UNDP and other relevant stakeholders;
• Monitor the expenditures, commitments and balance of funds under the relevant project activities’ budget lines;
• Organize and supervise workshops and trainings planned under the relevant project activities;
• Provide control over proper delivery of goods and services procured under the fourth. Project component (grants to CSOs, support to the network of Aarhus centers of Belarus, development of international cooperation and trainings, etc.);
• Coordinate transfer of assets procured under the 4th.  project component to the project beneficiaries in accordance with the UNDP rules and national regulations;
• Organize and supervise the whole process of grants to the CSOs,  including preparation of the Contest of the grants,  conducting the Contest, implementation of the grants,  and completion  and monitoring of each of the grants;
• Coordinate further development and capacity building of the network of Aarhus centers of Belarus, including technical, advisory, and thematic support, and procurement of the required goods and services;
• Coordinate development of international cooperation and building the capacity of the organizations (including CSOs) of Belarus engaged in the monitoring of the quality of atmospheric air and environmental education;
• Coordinate and organize joint events for government bodies and the public, in particular, meetings of the Public Environmental Coordinating Council held under the auspices of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

Reporting:

• Draft necessary progress and financial reports, as required by the relevant UNDP, EU and national procedures.
   

Staff supervision.

• Supervise respective consultants under the 4 project components;
• Guide the work of consultants and sub-contractors and oversee compliance with the agreed.

Other:

• Undertake any other actions related to the project as requested by the Project Manager.

• Job knowledge and expertise: knowledge and understanding of the job requirements;  practical knowledge of financial and budgeting processes;
• Leadership: determines appropriate resources, methods, partners, information and solution; actively shares experience and knowledge; generates individual commitment, excitement and excellence;
• Result Orientation: assesses the performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work; demonstrates ability to manage data and prioritize tasks;
• Communication: builds professional networks with partners, establishes and maintains contacts with various partners and stakeholders.

• University degree in economics, business administration, environmental management or any other related field.
• Advanced university degree would be an advantage but not a requirement;
• At least 3 years of relevant experience in socio-economic and regional development in public or private sector;
• Work experience in disbursement of grants and further monitoring of their implementation is an asset but not a requirement;
• Relevant working experience in international technical assistance projects, particularly in UNDP-EU projects is an asset  but not a requirement;
• Computer literacy and advanced knowledge of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Power Point Presentations, etc.);
• Fluency in written and spoken English, Russian and/or Belarusian, including the ability to draft, edit and finalize documents in English.
   

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: 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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.