Historique

The Republic of Maldives is highly vulnerable to climate change due to its low-lying geography that makes it susceptible to flooding and inundation, and its dependence on economic activities that are sensitive to climate change, such as fishing and tourism. It is also highly dependent on imported fossil fuels for its energy supply and this represents a major source of greenhouse gas emissions for the country. Consequently, the Maldives has made significant commitments to the pursuit of a low emission climate resilient development agenda. However, ongoing decentralization reforms, fiscal crisis and low capacity at the sub-national level, mean that local planning is not reflective of national level commitments.

UNDP Maldives has been working very closely with the Government of the Maldives, notably the Ministry of Energy and Environment in developing and implementing a sizable portfolio on environment and climate.  Currently, UNDP Maldives has the largest climate change adaptation (CCA) portfolio in the Asia and the Pacific region.  A three year, US$9.2 million UN Joint Programme, “Low Emissions Climate Resilient Development (LECReD)” Programme, is one such programme that builds on the comparative strengths of the Participating United Nations Organizations (PUNOs) including UNDP, UNICEF, UNOPS, UNFPA, UN WOMEN, WHO and FAO.  The programme will assist the Laamu Atoll and its islands to realize low emission and climate resilient development by mainstreaming LECReD issues into local level development planning and service delivery for greater community-level ownership and sustainability of programme benefits. Towards this objective, the programme will support local councils, civil society, private sector and other local stakeholders to establish platforms for stronger partnerships, improved coordination, and enhanced participation in local planning for LECReD; it will strengthen data and knowledge systems for LECReD; improve local level LECReD development planning and management of service delivery; and through a learning-by-doing approach establish early lessons and build demand for LECReD planning and management for replication and scaling-up.

An Agreement was reached on 20 July 2015 between UNDP Maldives and Mangroves for the Future (MFF) to collaborate in delivering the LECReD Small Grants Programme. MFF is a unique partner-led regional initiative to promote investment in coastal ecosystem conservation for sustainable development. Co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, MFF provides a platform for collaboration among the many different agencies, sectors and countries which are addressing challenges to coastal ecosystem and livelihood issues. The goal is to promote an integrated ocean-wide approach to coastal management and to building the resilience of coastal communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Viet Nam.

At a regional level, MFF is managed by a Regional Steering Committee (RSC). This multi-stakeholder body is co-chaired by IUCN and UNDP, and comprises of representatives from MFF’s member country governments and institutional partners. The mandate for coordinating and overseeing MFF’s in-country activities lies with a National Coordinating Body in each member country, and works alongside existing national frameworks for managing coastal areas. The MFF Secretariat is based in Bangkok, Thailand, and works closely with the RSC, National Coordinating Bodies and the country offices of IUCN and UNDP. In the Maldives, the National Coordinating Body (NCB) chaired by the Environment Protection Agency of the Ministry of Environment and Energy is the decision making board for MFF programme in the Maldives.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager (LECReD) and with guidance from the MFF National Coordinator, the Small Grants Officer is:

1. Responsible to manage all aspects of the small grants component of the LECReD programme, including planning, budgeting, coordination, contract management between the grantees and the LECReD Project, monitoring and evaluation of the small grants projects and the production and management of the communications materials and knowledge management of the small grants component.
2. The UNDP LECReD Small Grants Officer will lead the execution of the LECReD Small Grants component with very close guidance on MFF requirements by the MFF National Coordinator, ensuring the standards, quality and other necessary requirements of the MFF modality is being followed during the LECReD small grants implementation process. The SGO will maintain a close functional reporting to the NC on the progress so that the NC can ensure the quality and requirements of MFF are followed through and that the reporting (at all levels) is fulfilled.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Summary of key functions:

• Contract Management of Small Grants Projects
• Monitoring and Evaluation of Small Grants Projects under the guidance of the National Coordinator for MFF, in close coordination with the Programme Coordination Unit based in Laamu Atoll and in line with the MFF requirements.
• Communications and Knowledge Management

Contract Management of Small Grants Projects

• Planning and budgeting and periodic review of the LECReD Small Grants Component in consultation with the Project Manager (LECReD) and in accordance with the MFF Agreement.
• Manage the contractual requirements between the Small Grants Projects and the community based organizations, councils, SMEs and other groups including timely management of deliverables as per contract.
• Timely delivery of the Small Grants projects based on the Small Grants Project Documents while ensuring compliance with grant modality used by MFF
• Ensure all budgetary requirements of the Small Grants Project Documents are met.
• Manage all the documentations for the Small Grants component of LECReD.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Small Grants Projects

• Monitor progress of all the Small Grants Project from a financial and operational point of view.
• Liaise with the LECReD M&E Associate based in Laamu to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation activities of the LECReD small grants and report back to the MFF NC as per monitoring requirements of the MFF.
• Ensure data and information required to monitor and evaluate the Small Grants Projects are met.
• Manage and liaise with grantees regarding reporting and performance.
• Check physical progress of the Small Grants Projects by conducting field visits.

Communications and Knowledge Management

• Lead and manage communications of all Small Grants related aspects of LECReD
• Contribute to the LECReD web application on the Small Grants components
• Prepare knowledge material based on the Small Grants Projects
• Promote and disseminate advocacy materials related to the Small Grants component

Compétences

Functional Competencies:          

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP’s mandate
• Develop project-level knowledge products together with relevant project staff

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly

Building Strategic Partnerships

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Resource Mobilization

• Analyzes information/databases on potential and actual donors
• Develops a database of project profiles.  Identifies opportunities for project proposals for presentation to donors
• Identify joint resource mobilization strategies together with UN agencies, Government, and Civil Society

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Generates new ideas and approaches, researches best practices and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies and new approaches
• Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments
• Demonstrates in-depth understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments

Global Leadership and Advocacy for UNDP’s Goals

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for advocacy for UNDP’s goals for a variety of audiences
• Identifies and takes advantage of opportunities for advocating for UNDP’s mandate
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback

Client Orientation

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity  
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Managing conflict
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.
• Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Qualifications et expériences requises

Qualification and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in development studies,  environmental science, management, project management, or related field with at least three years of experience OR Master’s Degree in related field with one year of related experience at the national or international level in development studies, environmental science, programme or project management, public relations, communication and or/advocacy.

Other Requirements

• Experience in working in the area of community development projects with focus on environmental management and knowledge management.
• Experience in working on communications, knowledge management and advocacy work.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
• Good knowledge of development issues in Maldives.
• Ability to manage, inspire and effectively delegate work within a team.
• Candidates with previous work experience with UN agencies will be an added advantage.
• Communication skills, in oral and written

Language

• Fluency in the English and Dhivehi.

To apply please submit the letter of interest, CV and P 11 form (can be downloaded from UNDP Maldives Website). Please upload all the documents as one file.

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance, and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selection is on merit.Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply. Only Short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Salary: Monthly take home pay of MVR 22,100