UNDP Members of the GEF SGP National Steering Committee 148 views

The GEF Small Grants Programme was launched in 1992 following the principle that global environmental solutions are usually only sustainable if local populations are actively involved and direct community benefits and ownership are generated. The programme is funded by GEF as a corporate programme and implemented by the UNDP on behalf of the GEF partnership and is executed by the UNOPS.

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. SGP is rooted in the belief that global environmental problems can best be addressed if local people are involved and direct community benefits and ownership are generated.

The priority areas for SGP OP 7 are:

• Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security.
• Low-carbon energy access co-benefits
• Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species.
• Local to global coalitions for chemicals and waste management.
• Catalyzing sustainable urban solutions.
• CSO-Government-Private Sector Policy and Planning Dialogue Platforms.
• Enhancing social inclusion.
• Monitoring and Evaluation and Knowledge Management.

SGP is highly decentralized and implemented in democratic, transparent and country-driven manner facilitated by the National Coordinator (NC). SGP grants are awarded based on decisions made by the voluntary National Steering Committee (NSC) guided by Country Programme Strategy paper developed on the basis of national environment and development priorities. The NSC is the central element of the SGP and makes the key contribution to the country programme and its strategic management. The NSC composed of national government representatives, UNDP Country Office and civil society members representing NGOs, CBOs, academia, science and private sector, with a majority coming from non-governmental sector. The NSCs are in-charge of guiding the development and implementation of SGP Country Programme Strategies (CPS) and approval of grants for projects. National Coordinators and Programme Assistants facilitate and support the fully voluntary work of NSC members.

The main objectives of the GEF Small Grants Programme are to:

• Build the awareness and capacity of communities, community-based organizations, non-governmental organizations and other civil society groups to implement innovative and effective solutions that contribute to global environmental benefits.
• Promote a positive working relationship amongst various stakeholders, especially between civil society and government through its multisectoral decision-making mechanism as well as through its partnership-based projects.
• Develop and disseminate knowledge and effective implementation methodologies, particularly for community-based approaches, that can improve sustainable development practice and policy of both nongovernment organizations and government institutions, as well as other donors.

Structure of the GEF SGP Steering Committee:

The NSC is composed of voluntary members from NGOs, academic and scientific institutions, other civil society organizations, the UNDP CO, and government, with a majority of members coming from the non-governmental sector.

While certain institutions (the UNDP, and appropriate governmental ministry) will be represented in the NSC, members chosen will be individuals, including from the private sector and donor community, who will contribute significantly to the committee and the programme’s various expertise needs (e.g. on GEF focal areas, sustainable livelihoods, gender considerations, communications, resource mobilization, capacity development).

Expected Results:

• Quality consideration of the project applications submitted for financing from SGP;
• Timely and regular decisions to be made to approve or reject project applications;
• Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the SGP Country Programming Strategy

Functional Competences

Must have requisite knowledge in one or more of the following:

• Grant making/management, financial management, governance
• Community development, monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, project management,
• Research, policy, entrepreneurship development.

Core Competencies:

• Dedicated to assisting local communities in addressing environmental problems;
• Honesty and responsiveness;
• Ability to work in a team and be able to achieve consensus on disputable issues;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Sound judgment, fairness and strong client and results orientation;
• Diligence and punctuality.

Eligibility:

Local citizens who are:

• Voluntary members from the CSO sector (including NGOs, academic and scientific institutions, indigenous peoples, women groups, and others);
• Private sector representatives, donor institutions, experts.

Education:

• A degree (Masters or higher will be added advantage) or minimum 3 years’ experience in a subject related Natural Resources Management, Environmental Economics, Development Studies, or related field.

Experience:

• Non-governmental members must have high credibility and wide experience working with CSOs, CBOs, and indigenous peoples in Eswatini
• Must have the ability to represent the needs and interests of the constituency in committee discussions
• Must also have the requisite knowledge of GEF Focal Areas: biodiversity, climate change, international waters, sustainable land management and persistent organic pollutants and/or specific themes such as gender, sustainable livelihoods;
• Basic experience with computer programmes, such as MS Word, Excel, Web browsers and e-mail agents.

Language:

• Fluency in English and SiSwati.