Senior Officer (National Coordinator)

Job Description

This Is a Local Position for Which only Applicants Who Possess the Nationality in Dominica Are Eligible for Consideration

Join UNOPS as a Senior Officer (National Coordinator) for the Small Grants Programme in Dominica. Lead technical, financial, and operational management, foster teamwork, and build partnerships. Drive impactful change through resource mobilization and knowledge-sharing, enhancing local environmental and development initiatives.

• Job Categories:Programme Management
• Vacancy Code:VA/2024/B5003/29432
• Department/Office: GPO, NYPO, SDC, Grant Management Services
• Duty Station: Roseau, Dominica
• Contract Type: Local ICA Specialist
• Contract Level: LICA Specialist-9
• Duration: Until 30 June 2025 (with possibility for extension subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance)
• Application period:19-Dec-2024 to 02-Jan-2025
  

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

The incumbent of this position will be a UNOPS supervised personnel.

Post’s Organizational Accountability:

• 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.

Responsibility

Under the direct supervision of the SGP Regional Focal Point, and with close coordination with the SGP Country Programme team, the National Steering Committee members, UNDP Country Office team and GMS team, the Programme Management - Senior Officer (National Coordinator) will contribute in the following way is her/his country of assignment:

Managerial Functions

• 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

• 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 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;
• 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 CPMT 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 and CPMT;
• 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

• 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

• 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.

Experience and Qualifications

*Female Candidates Are Strongly Encouraged to Apply*

*Candidates with No United Nations or Unops Experience Are Strongly Encouraged to Apply*

Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in environment or natural resource management, environmental economics, development, business administration or other related discipline is required.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent), preferably in environment or natural resource management, environmental economics, development, business administration or other related discipline with four (4) years of relevant experience may be considered.

Required work experience

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible in environment and development work, which should inlcude programme management, preferably with an extended specialized experience in any of the GEF-SGP thematic areas at the national level.

Managerial Skills

• Excellent teamwork, people management and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills
• Strong negotiation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English (write, read and speak) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages is considered an asset.

IT Skills

• Proficiency in standard computer software (word-processing, excel, presentations, databases and internet)

Nationality

• The candidate should be a national or naturalized citizen of the country.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Benefits and Others

Contract type, level and duration

• 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)

APPLY HERE: https://jobs.unops.org/id=29432