UNDP Jobs - 11448- National Coordinator-Global Environment Facility

National Coordinator-Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme

Location :

Male', MALDIVES

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

03-Aug-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-9 (Service Contract)

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is establishing a Small Grants Programme (SGP) in Maldives to support projects consistent with global environmental priorities. The SGP will support activities of NGOs and Community-Based Organizations towards climate change abatement, conservation of biodiversity, protection of international waters, reduction of the impact of persistent organic pollutants and prevention of land degradation while generating sustainable livelihoods. The SGP will be hosted by the UNDP in Maldives and implementation will be funded by the Global Environment Facility.

Duties and Responsibilities

Managerial Functions

Supervise the national SGP team members and provide necessary guidance and coaching;
Promote and maintain a suitable environment for teamwork within the SGP team, the National Steering Committee members, and with the UNDP CO team;
Prepare annual work plan, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives to be undertaken/explored, and set delivery and co-financing targets;
Set annual performance parameters and learning objectives for the SGP team, assess their performance and provide feedback;
Build and maintain an effective relationship with key partners and stakeholders, and keep CPMT, UNOPS and UNDP CO informed as appropriate

Programme Development and Management

Keep abreast of the national environmental concerns and priorities as well as the socio-economic conditions and trends as they relate to the GEF-SGP and its focal areas, and assess their impact on SGP’s work and programme.
Contribute to the formulation of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS) and its biennium review and update;
Exercise quality control over the development of a portfolio of project ideas and concepts, and closely monitor the programme implementation progress and results;
Organize periodic stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for NGOs, Community Based Organizations (CBO) and local communities, and other stakeholders to explain about SGP, and to assist potential applicants in making the link between local environmental problems and the global concerns of the GEF focal areas and operational programmes;
Work closely with NGOs and CBOs in preparation of project concepts and proposals to ensure that individual projects fit the GEF-SGP Strategic Framework;
Authorize and manage project planning grants as required.
Conduct periodic programme monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to SGP grantees as required;
Work closely and support the National Steering Committee and its deliberations during the process of project proposal selection and approval, especially the initial appraisal of proposals and assessment of eligibility.
Foster operational and policy linkages between the GEF-SGP and the large or medium-sized GEF projects, planned or underway in the country, as well as those of other donors and development partners.
Manage the annual SGP allocations (administrative and grants), maintain the financial integrity of the programme, ensure most effective use of SGP resources;
Report periodically to CPMT on programme implementation status, including financial reporting, and update the relevant UNOPS and SGP databases

Resource Mobilization

Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders, advocate SGP policies, comparative advantages and initiatives, and ensure visibility.
Assess programme interest and priorities of key donors and other development partners, develop SGP advocacy campaigns and develop/update the SGP Resource Mobilization Strategy;
Identify opportunities and areas eligible for GEF-SGP support, and mobilize resources from the Government, donors and other partners to best leverage the GEF-SGP resources.

Knowledge Management

Assist in the preparation of SGP project/programme evaluation;
Document lessons learned and best practices in SGP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight;
Raise awareness of Programme Team on corporate strategic issues, plans and initiatives to maximize highest impact and effectiveness;
Access UNDP’s world-wide and regional knowledge, distill best practices and facilitate their dissemination within CO and to counterparts and partners;
Document lessons learned and best practices in SGP programme development, implementation, and oversight;
Access global best practices, share them with other local and international stakeholders and ensure their incorporation into the SGP portfolio and project design process.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office
In-depth knowledge on development issues particularly on environment management
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting
Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes and projects, mobilize resources
Good knowledge of the Results Management Guide and Toolkit
Strong IT skills
Ability to lead implementation of new systems (business side), and affect staff behavioral/ attitudinal change
Management and Leadership
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Masters) in environmental fields, Environmental Economics, Business Administration or similar field.

Experience

At least 5-8 years of relevant experience in development work, which should include programme management, preferably with an extended specialized experience in any of the GEF-SGP focal areas at the national level.
Excellent analytical and writing skills
Excellent teamwork and people management skills.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good negotiation and problem-solving skills
Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, excel, presentations, databases and internet)

Language Requirements

Fluency in the official national language (must be one of the 6 UN languages) and English or a second UN language.

Others-Only Maldivian nationals are eligible to apply