Small Grants Progrmme National Coordinator (Open to all applicants)

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

• Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
• Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
• Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
• Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

The United Nations Development Programme works in about 170 countries and territories, helping Governments achieve their own development solutions to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.

On October 21, 1974, the United Nations Development Programme and the Government of Barbados entered into an agreement to “support and supplement the national efforts of developing countries at solving the most important problems of their economic development and to promote social progress and better standards of life.”

Subsequently, similar agreements were entered with Governments of the ten countries and territories that the UNDP Multi-Country Office (MCO) for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean serves: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, the British Virgin Islands (BVI), the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) is implemented by UNDP on behalf of the GEF Partnership. UNDP oversees the Small Grants Programme (SGP) through the Vertical Hub and the Nature Hub of Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), 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.

Launched in 1992 as a corporate programme of the GEF, the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) has supported local action for over thirty years to address global environmental concerns.  SGP aims to deliver global environmental benefits in the GEF focal areas of biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, protection of international waters, prevention of land degradation, and elimination of persistent organic pollutants through community-based approaches. To date, SGP has funded over 29,000 community-based projects covering more than 120 countries. It has gained considerable experiences at the community level, including adapting to climate change while addressing issues of the GEF focal areas.  Further information can be found at: https://sgp.undp.org/ [link removed].

Scope of work

The National Coordinator will report through a matrixed structure to the Deputy Resident Representative and the SGP Regional Programme Specialist. The National Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the SGP at the country level and coordination of the National Steering Committee.

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

• 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 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 Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-based Organizations (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.
• 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 the Central Programme Management Team (CPMT) on programme implementation status, including annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and update the relevant SGP databases.
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of SGP Country Programme and projects, and grant maker initiatives, in coordination with National Steering Committee (NSC) and CPMT.

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

• 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. 

• 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 MCO, 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.

• 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.

    Minimum Qualifications of the Successful NPSA  

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection [link removed]

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