Programme Management – Senior Officer [National Coordinator Caretaker] – retainer Junior level

Job categories Project Management, Programme Management, Environment

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5003/27489

Department/office GPG, SDC, Grant Management Services

Duty station Lilongwe, Malawi

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-9

Duration Up to 200 working days – retainer contract

Application period 06-Feb-2024 to 20-Feb-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

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 Caretaker] will carry out the following activities:

• 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.
• Organize ‘call for proposals’, support and closely coordinate with the National Steering Committee, in the process of project proposal review, selection and approval, especially the initial appraisal of proposals and assessment of eligibility.
• 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.
• Review grantees’ progress and final reports and provide technical guidance to grantees to guarantee the quality of reports.
• Provide capacity building training to grantees on project cycle management to ensure adherence to SGP Standard Operating Procedures as well as UNOPS rules and regulations and ensure timely and effective use of SGP resources.
• Undertake monitoring and evaluation of SGP Country Programme and projects, and grantmaker initiatives, in coordination with NSC and CPMT.
• Report periodically to CPMT on programme implementation status, including annual monitoring reporting, financial reporting, audit, and update the relevant UNOPS and SGP databases.
• Perform and coordinate administrative tasks (i.e. procurement, travel) adhering to SGP SOPs procurement rules and regulations; as required for programme implementation.
• Document programme/project stories, lessons learned, and best practices in SGP programme/project development, implementation, and oversight.
• Develop SGP country programme annual report.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

* FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY*

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) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced university degree;

Experience required:

• At least three (3) years in the environment, development work, monitoring & evaluation, and/or related field (in example but not limited to NGO work, research, and programme/project management, inclusive growth, livelihoods, poverty reduction, natural resources management, and/or environmentally sustainable development);
• Experience in program/project management and/or evaluation at the national level is required.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in the official national language and English 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)