Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF)  Small Grants Programme (SGP) provides non-governmental and community-based organizations (NGO/CBO) in developing countries with grants to help them tackle climate change, conserve biodiversity, protect international waters, reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and prevent land degradation. With these environment-centered ‘grant projects’ the programme also seeks to generate sustainable livelihoods and reduce poverty in the world’s neediest countries and regions. The SGP motto is “Community Action – Global Impact!”.

Through UNDP/UNOPS, the Fiji GEF Small Grants Programme seeks to recruit a suitably qualified national for the position of Programme Associate.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support to Programme Implementation:

  • Provide overall programme planning, project design, appraisal and implementation support in line with the approved Country Programme Strategy of each SGP country in the sub-region and the SGP Operational Guidelines. This includes pre-screening of project concepts, appraisal of project proposals, workplan and budgets to ensure project soundness and cost-effectiveness;
  • Officially act as Officer-in-Charge during Sub-regional coordinator’s absence;
  • Develop necessary management and monitoring tools and systems to meet programme management requirements;
  • Advise potential grantees on technical project preparation issues, and Report to SRC and NSC/NFG on project development activities, as required;
  • Provide technical support and advise to National Focal Persons for the sub-region countries;
  • Provide technical and operational support to grantees and NFPs, as required, including completion of quarterly progress and financial reports;
  • Assist the SRC in project implementation and monitoring and actively participate in field visits for project preparation and monitoring;
  • Organize and manage SGP advocacy events, workshops, round-tables, missions for SRC and other SGP events;
  • Liaise with NGOs, governmental institutions, donors, other SGP stakeholders, and participate at events for SGP information dissemination purposes;
  • Prepare articles, publications, speeches, letters, memos and other documents on behalf of the SRC, and respond to queries on SGP programme matter;
  • Create and maintain SGP project database and SGP stakeholders database;
  • Prepare articles for and update the SG website, and contribute to the UNDP CO website with SGP information;
  • Support and assist the SRC and Programme Assistant as and when needed.

Financial Management:

  • Ensure the programme’s sound financial integrity through close monitoring of the overall SGP grant approvals, expenditures and commitments, and effectively manage the SGP sub-regional operational budget;
  • Review financial reports submitted by grantees and advise the SRC as required;
  • Prepare the annual administrative budget proposals for review by SRC and NFPs in the subregion and submission to CPMT/UNOPS;
  • Review payment requests from grantees and vendors, obtain necessary clearances and authorizations, and ensure prompt payments by UNDP CO;
  • Prepare and maintain the grant disbursement table and calendar;
  • Enter, extract, transfer data from ATLAS and SGP database and produce management reports as required;
  • Assist the SRC in managing funds from co-financiers and preparing periodic reports to these co-financiers;
  • Assist the SRC in reviewing progress quarterly or monthly reports from NFP’s on their work for SGP and provide summary to SRC;
  • Prepare all information requested by the SRC as per requirements of the Operational Guidelines and the SGP Monitoring and Evaluation Framework;
  • Provide other financial reports as required.
Administrative Functions:
  • Procure office equipment and furniture (including communication and audio equipment, supplies etc.);
  • Manage and organize everyday office work; 
  • Establish a proper filing system and maintain files and documentation in good order;
  • Draft routine correspondence and communications;
  • Prepare background information and documentation, update data relevant to the programme areas and compile background material for the SRC / NFP and NSC/NFG;
  • Ensure flow of information and dissemination of materials with all concerned;
  • Follow-up of travel arrangements and DSA payments for the SRC and NSC/ NFG members;
  • Follow-up on payments of honorarium to NFPs in the sub-region when they are due monthly;
  • Maintain personnel files, performance evaluation reports, leave records, and other pertinent personnel/consultant records;
  • Ensure all reporting and/or submission deadlines from HQs are met;
  • Provide logistical and other support to the local SGP team, including Programme Assistant, and visiting missions, as required.
Knowledge Management:
  • Actively support the SGP and the NSC/NFG teams in their effort towards knowledge management and participate in the SGP Knowledge networking;
  • Assist the SRC in compiling success stories and lessons learned for wider sharing globally;
  • Systematically enhance and broaden own knowledge in the five SGP focal areas to better support the SRC/NFPs and NSC/NFGs;
  • Take notes and prepare minutes within 72 hours of the NSC/NFG meetings;
  • Prepare all workshop reports for review and approval by SRC;
  • Prepare meeting agendas in consultation with the SRC.
General:
  • Collaborate with UNDP CO Programme Staff as deemed necessary;
  • Collaborate and maintain a healthy relationship with all UNDP Staff; and perform any other task related to this position as may be assigned by the SRC from time-to –time.

Competencies

  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
  • Excellent drafting and analytical skills required;
  • Good knowledge of budget control and financial management;
  • Excellent people skills and ability to work under pressure;
  • Team Orientation and good planning and organizing skills;
  • Honest; highly motivated and proficiency in English Language.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Completion of Secondary Education;
  • Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in an Environmental Management/Studies or relevant Science field and/or Business Administration would be desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:
  • At least 6 years relevant working experience with NGOs and/or Community Based Organizations and a progressively responsible administrative or programme experience is required at the national or international level;
  • Good knowledge of budget control and financial management;
  • Experience in workshop facilitation will be an asset.

IT Skills:

  • Excellent knowledge of MS Office, database and internet use;
  • Website management;
  • Spreadsheets / publishing programme (advantage).
Language requirements:
  • Fluency in English.