Organisation: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Location: UNDP Eswatini Offices, Eswatini
Job Category: Programme Management / Environment and Climate Change
Programme: Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme
Contract Type: Not specified in the supplied job description
Application Deadline: Not specified in the supplied job description

1. Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Eswatini is implementing its Country Programme for 2026–2030, focusing on good governance and social cohesion, alongside sustainable and resilient economic development.

Within the sustainable development portfolio, UNDP implements the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP), which provides direct grants to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community-based organisations (CBOs). The programme supports community-led initiatives addressing climate change, biodiversity conservation, international waters, persistent organic pollutants and land degradation, while promoting sustainable livelihoods and global environmental benefits.

Following the transition of the programme to full UNDP oversight in 2026, UNDP Eswatini seeks to recruit a National Coordinator to oversee the implementation of the SGP in Eswatini.

The successful candidate will also dedicate approximately 50% of their time to supporting other country-level initiatives on adaptation and resilience, particularly grant management, capacity development, monitoring, reporting and learning.

2. Key Duties and Responsibilities

A. Programme Team Management

Coordinate the work of the SGP Country Programme team.
Liaise with the Sustainable Development/Environment Programme Assistant on administrative support.
Promote effective teamwork among programme staff, National Steering Committee members and the wider UNDP team.
Prepare and implement annual work plans, including strategic initiatives and delivery and co-financing targets.
Prepare annual administrative and operational budget proposals.
Establish performance parameters and learning objectives, assess staff performance and provide feedback.

B. Programme Development and Management

Monitor national environmental priorities, socio-economic conditions and trends relevant to the SGP.
Formulate, implement, review and update the Country Programme Strategy (CPS).
Integrate gender analysis, gender equality actions and measurable targets into programme strategies and annual work plans.
Manage grant allocations and operating budgets in compliance with SGP Standard Operating Procedures and UNDP rules and regulations.
Ensure the effective and timely use of programme resources.
Review project concepts and proposals and monitor implementation progress and results.
Organise stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for civil society organisations, local communities and potential applicants.
Provide gender-responsive capacity development and communication support to enable the participation of women and marginalised groups.
Support CSOs and CBOs in developing project concepts and proposals aligned with programme priorities and technical guidance.
Authorise and manage project planning grants where required.
Monitor ongoing grant-funded projects through field visits and provide technical and operational guidance to grantees.
Assess gender-related results and risks during monitoring visits and document lessons learned.
Organise and provide secretariat support for National Steering Committee meetings.
Coordinate proposal review, appraisal, eligibility assessment, selection and approval processes.
Promote gender-responsive grantmaking and advise the National Steering Committee on gender equality gaps, risks and opportunities.
Establish linkages between the SGP, GEF projects, government initiatives, donors and development partners.
Prepare programme implementation, monitoring, financial and audit reports.
Maintain relevant programme databases and coordinate monitoring and evaluation activities.
Coordinate procurement, travel and other administrative activities in accordance with programme procedures.

C. Locally Led Adaptation and Resilience Initiatives

The Coordinator will dedicate approximately 50% of their time to supporting adaptation and resilience interventions under the UNDP Environment Portfolio.

Responsibilities include:

Support implementation of adaptation grants and ensure complementarity with other UNDP initiatives on catchment resilience and nature-based solutions.
Develop and coordinate the grants pipeline for adaptation and resilience initiatives.
Conduct targeted outreach to eligible community-based organisations, civil society organisations, cooperatives and other local entities.
Support the preparation of concept notes and proposals aligned with programme priorities and grant criteria.
Review and document grant proposals in accordance with donor requirements, UNDP Low-Value Grant procedures, social and environmental safeguards, gender and inclusion standards, and fiduciary due diligence.
Strengthen grantee capacity in project design, financial management, procurement planning, safeguards, gender-responsive implementation, monitoring, reporting and verification.
Conduct field monitoring and quality assurance visits.
Track progress against agreed outputs and indicators, identify risks and document lessons learned.
Prepare inputs for donor and partner reporting, audits, knowledge products and regional learning processes.

D. Gender Mainstreaming

Integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment into programme planning, grantmaking, implementation, monitoring and reporting.
Identify and address barriers affecting women’s access to grants and adaptation resources.
Provide targeted outreach and capacity support for women-led organisations and groups.
Ensure programme activities and partnerships are safeguarding-sensitive and address risks relating to sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment in line with UNDP requirements.

E. Resource Mobilisation and Partnerships

Establish and maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and development partners.
Promote the value, visibility and comparative advantages of the SGP.
Assess donor interests and priorities and develop and implement resource mobilisation and partnership strategies.
Mobilise resources from government, donors and other development partners.
Support grantees in securing co-financing and project-level partnerships.
Identify opportunities to sustain and scale up successful projects.
Develop partnerships that support gender-responsive community climate and biodiversity initiatives.

F. Knowledge Management and Communication

Document programme stories, lessons learned and best practices.
Identify relevant global and regional knowledge and facilitate its application within the country programme.
Support networking and knowledge exchange among grantees.
Promote learning through knowledge platforms, knowledge fairs and similar initiatives.
Ensure communication materials reflect gender-responsive results and women’s leadership.
Use inclusive language and obtain informed consent when using stories, photographs or quotations.

G. Monitoring, Reporting and Results Management

Ensure the development and implementation of a technically sound, socially inclusive grant portfolio aligned with national priorities and the SGP strategy.
Monitor programme performance and impacts in support of environmental conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Promote efficient resource utilisation and maximise programme impact.
Strengthen trust among clients and donors and identify opportunities for partnerships and co-financing.
Track and report gender-related results using appropriate indicators and sex- and age-disaggregated data where feasible.
Use monitoring findings to inform programme adaptation, learning and future grant cycles.

The incumbent may also perform other duties within their functional profile as required for the efficient functioning of the office and organisation.

3. Institutional Arrangement

The successful candidate will be based at the UNDP Eswatini offices.
The position will have a matrix reporting line to the Deputy Resident Representative and the SGP Regional Programme Specialist.
Day-to-day work will be overseen by the Sustainable Development Specialist to ensure coordination within the environment, climate and nature portfolio.
The incumbent will have access to relevant information, a workstation, laptop, internet, telephone and other necessary office facilities.

4. Required Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results – Level 2: Scale up solutions, simplify processes and balance speed with accuracy.
Think Innovatively – Level 2: Offer new ideas, embrace new approaches and demonstrate integrated thinking.
Learn Continuously – Level 2: Learn from others, step outside one’s comfort zone and support others’ learning.
Adapt with Agility – Level 2: Adapt approaches to new situations and involve others in change processes.
Act with Determination – Level 2: Persevere and manage multiple sources of pressure.
Engage and Partner – Level 2: Facilitate collaboration and build and maintain partnerships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion – Level 2: Bridge differences and incorporate diversity and inclusion into decision-making.

Cross-Functional and Technical Competencies

Strategic Thinking

Develop effective strategies and prioritised plans aligned with UNDP’s mission and objectives.
Analyse challenges, opportunities and risks.
Anticipate emerging trends and develop practical solutions.

Systems Thinking

Understand how interconnected elements operate within a wider system.
Assess how changes in one area may affect other parts of a programme or process.

Results-Based Management

Manage strategies, programmes and projects with a focus on performance and measurable results.

Communication

Communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally.
Tailor communication to different audiences.
Manage internal and external communications through appropriate channels, including media and social media.

Project Management

Plan, organise, prioritise and control resources, procedures and processes to achieve defined objectives.

Strategic Engagement

Build support and agreement among senior stakeholders, influential decision-makers and policy leaders.

2030 Agenda: Planet

Nature.
Local Action.

5. Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Education

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Public Policy, Law, Environmental Economics/Management, Advanced Community Development or a related field; or
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in one of the above fields, combined with an additional two years of qualifying experience in lieu of the advanced degree.

Required Professional Experience

A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience with a Master’s degree; or
A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience with a Bachelor’s degree.

Experience must relate to managing environmental or natural resource management projects or initiatives at national or local levels.

Required Skills

Experience using computers and office software packages.
Experience working with web-based management systems.

Desirable Experience and Added Advantages

Progressively responsible experience in project or programme management at international or national level.
Experience designing, managing, monitoring and evaluating UNDP programmes or development projects, including results-based management.
Experience in one or more of the GEF-SGP thematic areas at national level.
Knowledge of UNDP strategic programmes and operational policies.
Experience working with NGOs, CSOs, government institutions and other stakeholders in sensitive environments.
Experience supporting adaptation, climate or environmental programmes funded by the Adaptation Fund, GEF, UNDP or similar organisations, particularly those involving grantmaking, community grants, grantee capacity development, fiduciary follow-up, safeguards and results reporting.
Experience integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment into programme design, implementation and results-based monitoring.

6. Language Requirements

Fluency in English and Siswati is required.
Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

7. Equal Opportunity and Safeguarding

UNDP is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Recruitment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination or abuse of authority. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the organisation’s standards and principles.

8. How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit their applications through the official UNDP recruitment portal.

Application Link: https://estm.fa.em2.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/37579

Share this job

SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME COORDINATOR