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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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).
- Fluency in English.