Programme Management - Senior Officer (National Coordinator)

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement to implement the project activities for Small Grants Programme (SGP).

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Program (SGP), implemented by United Nations Development Program (UNDP), is a decentralized and country-driven program that seeks to provide maximum country and community-level ownership and initiatives for the achievement of the global environmental benefits. 

SGP has been operational for the past 25 years supporting projects from Civil Society Organizations in 125 countries.  SGP has supported over 21,589 projects globally.  SGP’s mandate is to support community based initiatives by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) including farmers’ organizations, scientific community, women’s groups and the youth and children organizations to address global environmental challenges.  To meet its objectives, SGP works closely with government, micro finance institutions, academic and research institutions, private sector, and local authorities.

Past reviews of SGP conducted by the Joint GEF-UNDP evaluation show that SGP is recognized as a cost-effective mechanism for delivering financial and technical resources to local communities, and has an established, well-tested modality for working with local communities. SGP’s operational modality consists of a decentralized decision-making body called National Steering Committee (NSC). The NSC’s are a very important institutional set up for the proper operation of the SGP. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

• Effective technical, financial, and operational management of the Global Environment Facility’s Small Grants Programme and its portfolio; 

• Effective managerial function, by building an effective SGP Country Programme team and foster teamwork within the SGP Country Programme team, the National Steering Committee members, and with the UNDP Country Office team;   

• Mobilize and leverage financial and other resources as well as establish strong partnerships at the programme and project levels for sustained and scaled up initiatives; 

• Effectively facilitate knowledge management, share and exchange knowledge on lessons learnt and best practices of SGP programme and projects. 

Managerial Functions (20%)

• Supervise the SGP Country Programme team members and provide necessary guidance and coaching;

• Promote and maintain effective teamwork within the SGP Country Programme team, the National Steering Committee members, and with the UNDP CO team; 

• Prepare and implement annual work plan, including strategic and/or innovative initiatives, with set delivery and co-financing targets; draft annual SGP Country Office administrative and project operational budget proposal;

• Set annual performance parameters and learning objectives for the SGP Country Programme team, assess their performance and provide feedback.

Programme/Portfolio Development and Management (40%)

• Keep abreast of national environmental concerns and priorities as well as the socio-economic conditions and trends as they relate to the SGP, and assess their impact on SGP’s work and programme;  

• Ensure formulation and implementation of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS), and its periodic review and update; 

• Manage the SGP grant allocations and country operating budget, maintain the financial integrity of the programme by ensuring adherence to SGP Standard Operating Procedures as well as UNDP and UNOPS rules and regulations, and ensure timely and effective use of SGP resources;

• 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 civil society organizations (CSOs) and local communities, and potential applicants and other stakeholders to inform about SGP and its Strategic Initiatives; 

• Work closely with CSOs and CBOs in preparation of project concepts and proposals to ensure that projects fit with the SGP Strategic Initiatives, Country Programme Strategy, and technical guidance notes;

• Authorize and manage project planning grants as required;

• Prepare annual project implementation reports (PIRs) and other progress reports, as required; 

• Oversee ongoing SGP grant projects, and conduct periodic project monitoring field visits and provide technical and operational support and guidance to SGP grantees as required;

• Plan and serve as secretary to the National Steering Committee meetings. Support and closely coordinate with the National Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Group where relevant, in the process of project proposal review, selection and approval, especially the initial appraisal of proposals and assessment of eligibility;

• Foster programme, project, and policy linkages between the SGP and the full or medium-sized GEF projects, planned or underway in the country, as well as those of other government, donors and development partners;  

• Report periodically to both UNDP Regional Technical Advisor (RTA) and Upgraded Country Programme (UCP) Global Coordinator, on programme implementation status, including annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and update the relevant UNOPS and SGP databases;

• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of SGP Country Programme and projects, and grantmaker initiatives, in coordination with NSC, CPMT as needed, and both UNDP RTA and UCP Global Coordinator;

• Perform and coordinate administrative tasks (i.e. procurement, travel) adhering to SGP SOPs procurement rules and regulation; as required for programme implementation.

Resource Mobilization and Partnerships (20%)

• Establish and maintain close working relationships with stakeholders as well as promote the value, comparative advantages, and ensure visibility of the SGP;  

• Assess interest and priorities of key donors and other development partners, and develop/update and implement the resource mobilization and partnership strategy to mobilize resources from and develop partnerships with the government, donors and other partners to best leverage SGP resources and develop programme level partnerships;

• Support SGP grantees in securing co-financing and project level partnerships, and assist in identifying opportunities and resources for sustaining and scaling up projects. 

Knowledge Management (20%)

• Document programme/project stories, lessons learned, and best practices in SGP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight; 

• Access SGP and other global and regional knowledge, distill best practices and facilitate their dissemination and incorporation within SGP Country Programme and projects, UNDP CO, and to counterparts and partners; 

• Support capacity building and networking of grantees to facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote uptake through Knowledge platforms, Knowledge fairs etc.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Sound SGP programme results and impacts, in alignment with national strategies and priorities and SGP strategy and approaches, that contribute to transformational change in society and economy to conserve the global environment and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Innovative, technically sound and socially inclusive grant portfolio is developed and implemented.  Effective and efficient use of resources to create maximum project/programme impact.  Increased trust by clients and donors and increased opportunities for visibility, partnerships and co-financing.

Impact of Result

Sound SGP programme results and impacts, in alignment with national strategies and priorities and SGP strategy and approaches, that contribute to transformational change in society and economy to conserve the global environment and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, Innovative, technically sound and socially inclusive grant portfolio is developed and implemented.  Effective and efficient use of resources to create maximum project/programme impact.  Increased trust by clients and donors and increased opportunities for visibility, partnerships and co-financing.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 
Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (L-ICA 9)
Contract duration: Until 30 June 2025 (renewable subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance)

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Small Grants Cluster

UNOPS executes the UNDP-implemented Small Grants Programme though the Small Grants Cluster. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the Small Grants Programme efficiently channels direct grants to non-governmental and community-based organizations to help them cope with climate change; conserve biodiversity; protect international waters; reduce the impact of Persistent Organic Pollutants; and prevent land degradation. Helping communities with their initiatives for sustainable livelihoods while generating global environmental benefits is the core inspiration of the Small Grants Programme.