UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to tackle the injustices of poverty, inequality, and climate change on a global scale. Working with our broad network of experts, host governments and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP has been working in Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law. 

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure.  Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others. 

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country. 

The Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Management portfolio focuses on advancing Afghanistan’s climate resilience and energy sustainability in a fragile and under-developed context. The portfolio team works to influence climate change management strategies, adaptation plans, and address gaps in environmental assessments, greenhouse gas inventories, and hazard mapping. These efforts aim to create a comprehensive understanding of the country’s climate risks and vulnerabilities, paving the way for targeted interventions, technology transfer, and improved environmental governance. UNDP invests in a range of community-based infrastructure (dams, chek dams, irrigation systems, flood protection systems, afforestation initiatives, etc.) to enhance community resilience to climate change and natural hazards, and engages with local communities to develop disaster risk reduction frameworks and early warning systems. UNDP climate priorities align with UN Strategic Framework of Afghanistan where climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, and human rights violations among others is a cross-cutting pillar approach that builds the resilience of the most vulnerable and address the drivers of humanitarian needs, development reversals, and conflict and instability in Afghanistan. 

Given limited access to global climate funds, such as GCF and the Adaptation Fund, the portfolio team strives to lobby for and explore alternative financing avenues, including private sector engagement and innovative models like private partnerships to help mobilize resources. The team also advocates for donor collaboration to unlock critical funding from global vertical funds as well as traditional and non-traditional financing sources. The team addresses emerging priorities, including renewable energy and extractive industries, by working with a range of actors, including the private sector, and fostering partnerships to fill critical knowledge and resource gaps. Ultimately, the portfolio seeks to deliver sustainable, scalable solutions for Afghanistan’s adaptation and mitigation needs.

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 experience 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/.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The incumbent will be based in the UNDP office in Kabul with travel to provinces when deemed necessary.
• The incumbent will report line to the Deputy Resident Representative through the Climate, Energy and Environmental Management Portfolio and secondarily to the SGP Regional Programme Specialist, in accordance with SGP Operational Guidelines.
• The incumbent will be responsible for the supervision and development of the SGP Programme Associate/ Assistant 
• The incumbent will be given access to the relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment.
• The incumbent will be provided with a workstation (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and access to a reliable internet connection 

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (or Portfolio Manager) and secondary supervision of the SGP Regional Programme Specialist, the SGP National Coordinator will be responsible for the implementation of the overall work of SGP, the SGP Programme Associate/ Assistant, and the National Steering Committee at the country level.

Ensure effective management of the SGP Country Programme team 

• Supervise the SGP Country Programme Associate/ Assistant 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.

  Ensure 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 UNDP 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.
• Organise and coordinate periodic stakeholder workshops and project development sessions for civil society organisations (CSOs) and local communities, and potential applicants and other stakeholders to inform 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;
• Authorise 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.

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 mobilisation and partnership strategy to mobilise 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. 

Facilitate Knowledge Management and Communication

• 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.

Ensure 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.

Ensure Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion

• Ensure gender-responsive and socially inclusive design, implementation, and monitoring of the SGP Country Programme by 
• Integrate gender equality, women’s empowerment, and social inclusion considerations across the full SGP project cycle (design, selection, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation), ensuring alignment with UNDP Gender Equality Strategy and Gender Marker requirements.
• Ensure that SGP-funded projects actively promote women’s participation, leadership, and access to environmental and livelihood benefits, including targeted support to women-led CSOs/CBOs and vulnerable groups (e.g., female-headed households, returnees, persons with disabilities).
• Establish and monitor gender-responsive indicators and results (e.g., women’s participation, decision-making influence, access to resources, livelihood outcomes), ensuring data is sex-disaggregated and used for adaptive programme management.
• Strengthen capacity of SGP grantees and partners on gender mainstreaming, including gender-responsive environmental programming, safeguarding (PSEA/GBV risk mitigation), and inclusive community engagement approaches.
• Promote gender-transformative approaches where feasible by addressing structural barriers (e.g., mobility, norms, access to resources) and engaging men and community leaders to support women’s participation and leadership in environmental governance.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation. 

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
• Adapt with Agility:  LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making 

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies:

Business Direction & Strategy

• Strategic Thinking: Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight. 

Business Management

• Results-based Management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
• Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
• Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals

Business Direction & Strategy

• Systems Thinking: Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system

Partnership management

• Strategic engagement: Ability to capture and sustain attention, interest and agreement of high-level, influential policy and decision makers and secure their buy-in of high-level vision and objectives

2030 Agenda: Planet 

• Nature: Local Action

Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Economy, Climate Change, Civil Engineering, Development studies, Public Policy, Environmental Economics/Management, Business Administration or a related field is required. Or
• A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience at the national or international organization in project management, development and coordination, natural resource and environment management, climate change, liaising and coordination, capacity building, contract management, stakeholder management, proposal development, participatory planning, and implementation of community-based and small scales projects or other related fields.
• Relevant working experience with national and international organizations in programme and project coordination/management, Projects liaising and coordination, climate governance, research, and climate and environmental advocacy and capacity building is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

Desired Skills:

• Progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, planning and coordination or related area at international and/or national level is desirable. 
• Proven experience in managing and/or providing services for the design, management, coordination and monitoring and evaluation of UN/DP Programmes and/or development projects including results-based management a significant advantage
• Experience in any of the GEF projects thematic areas at the national level highly desirable
• Knowledge of strategic programmes and operational policies of UNDP is an asset. 
• Proven experience working in a sensitive environment requiring liaison and collaboration with multiple actors (e.g. NGOs, CSOs, government, etc.) is desired. 
• Strong analytical, planning, leadership, coordination and communication skills are an asset. 

Required Languages:

• Proficiency in English is required – both written and oral.
• Fluency in local language of duty station Pashto and/or Dari is required.

Interested applicants can apply by clicking the link below or by copying and pasting the link into their browsers to access the application for the post.

Small Grants Programme National Coordinator - UNDP Careers

Equal opportunity

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.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

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. 

Right to select multiple candidates

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.

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