Since rolling out its operations in Fiji in 2003, the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) has assisted more than 100 projects, with almost a total grant amount of US$5 million. Projects range from national level policy contributions, institutional strengthening and community-led initiatives on environment conservation, adaptation work, capacity development as well as livelihoods and resilience building efforts. 

The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme operates its strategic term under the guidance of the Global Environment Facility’s four-year cycle and therefore SGP embarks on its new four-year cycle for Operational Phase 7 in 2019.

Under the supervision of the National Coordinator or the Officer in Charge (OIC), the SGP Fiji intern is required to work with the SGP team in the effective implementation of the programme work plan with certain specific responsibilities.  The SGP Fiji team includes the National Coordinator and Programme Associate and oversees the facilitation of at least 50 open projects and anticipates another 15-20 new projects by year end, 2021 through its grant management programme.

SGP Fiji office transitioned from its sub-regional portfolio in the past five years and therefore still needs work to fully sort and put in order some aspects of the transition.

While much of the work required of the intern is to provide support to the SGP staff, specific duties surrounding communications (social media updates) and monitoring of specific projects will be also prioritized for this placement.  

The internship placement is for a duration of 6 months, with two main objectives;

• Contribute to the work deliverable(s) of SGP Fiji in a supportive role and by providing necessary assistance to the programme staff.
• Enhance skills sets, gain work experience, training, and development for the intern.

The SGP Fiji Intern is expected to be on placement for six months to support the team in the following duties;

• Maintain filing requirements through both hardcopies and softcopies for the past years, back dating to 2018.  
• Maintain good level of visibility for Fiji SGP, through social media; ensure stories are done at least once a month.
• Create project profiles for all new OP7 projects.
• Maintain and update photo database of SGP Fiji.
• Work with Programme Associate on any areas that can strengthen Administration and Finance work for SGP.
• Monitor progress of 5 projects approved in OP7 cycle.
• Assist with the updating of the database, if and when necessary.  
• Assist the National Coordinator and Programme Associate in the organization of stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for NGOs, CBOs, and other stakeholders to explain the programme, and to assist designated potential applicants in making the link between local environmental problems and the global concerns of the GEF focal areas and operational programs.

Competencies

• Minimum work supervision required and flexible when working in team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communications (verbal and written) and networking skills.
• Interpersonal and negotiation skills.
• Understand basic environment, climate change issues and community development needs.
• Consistent with work productivity.
• Good work ethics and integrity

Applicants to the UNDP internship programme must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

(a) Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher).

(b) Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree programme (minimum bachelor’s level or equivalent);

(c) Have graduated with a university degree (as defined in (a) and (b) above) and, if selected, must start the internship within one-year of graduation.

• Persons in the development-related fields, preferably with a focus on environment/ natural resource management.
• Demonstrated interest in environmental issues and demonstrated academic ability in at least one of the GEF focal areas.
• Demonstrated interest in community-oriented environment and development programmes, and in project design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Excellent command of written and spoken English required
• Ability to think and work logically and work precisely with attention to detail
• Ability to write clearly and concisely
• Initiative, sound judgment and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with staff members of different national and cultural backgrounds. 
• Willingness to travel to and stay some or more days at project sites mostly in the Interior.