Grants Officer

UNDP has been working with national and international partners in the Philippines on the issue of the circular economy. UNDP is working with the European Union in implementing the EU Philippines Green Economy Programme (The Programme). The Programme has the purpose of supporting the Philippines’ transition towards a green economy, including circular economy, reducing waste and plastic, as well as increasing energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment to support climate change mitigation. The Programme acknowledges that the transition to circular economy will have other added benefits such as reduction of the use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions, improve biodiversity and natural capital, decreased pollution levels, and climate change adaptation.

The Programme addresses three main levels:

• Establishing a Policy Dialogue Platform at the central government level to mobilize EU expertise to facilitate policy formulation, improve city-to-city collaboration through supporting the development of a National Circular Economy Strategy and Roadmap, extend the dialogue to promote renewable energy/energy efficiency, and to apply the dialogue’s outcomes;
• Working with local government units (LGUs) where EU expertise will support to define and implement circular economy, climate change, and energy policies with a human rights and gender-responsive perspective, outreach and support of local business and civil society, and support less advanced LGUs;
• Enhancing engagement of the private and financial sectors into the circular waste economy creating better conditions for private sector investment by supporting business-driven waste reduction strategies and circular solutions in the production process.

The Programme has 4 specific objectives:

SO1: Improved circular economy and climate change policies and reduced GHG emissions

SO2: Enhanced practices of the circular economy by the LGUs in collaboration with the private sector and civil society sector, with a focus on youth and gender equality

SO3: Enhanced engagement of the private and financial sectors in circular, waste-reduction economy

SO4: Increased energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment

UNDP is responsible for the implementation and execution of SO2 with the purpose of enhancing the capacities and practices of local government units (LGUs) on circular waste economy in collaboration with private and civil society organizations (CSOs), with focus on youth and gender equality.

Key results expected at the end of the Project include:

• Reduced volume of waste generated and sent to landfills in partner LGUs
• Greenhouse gas emissions reduced and avoided (tonnes of CO_2eq) from reduced waste and implementation of circular economy initiatives
• At least 20 LGUs have established circular economy models, including introduction of source separation and collection systems for wastes recycling, diversion, repurposing and other CE initiatives
• Additional number of organizations applying CE and sustainable consumption and production practices in partner LGUs
• Additional jobs (including green jobs) created across the circular economy value chain, disaggregated by gender and groups
• At least 10 LGUs in which nationally defined green procurement criteria have been applied
• About 15 LGUs that feed their NDC reporting with improved gender and youth sensitive data on co-benefits of CE

The above results shall be achieved through the following Outputs:

Output 1: Improved capacities of LGUs and stakeholders to design, implement and monitor resilient and inclusive circular economy strategies

Output 2: GEDSI-responsive local policies and regulations designed and applied to enable circular and green growth opportunities and practices

Output 3: Public and private financing effectively mobilized to implement gender responsive and inclusive CE strategies and programmes

Output 4: Enhanced community innovation and demonstration projects applied to address priority CE solutions in partner LGUs

Output 5: Enhanced CE behavior and practices of LGUs, private sector, communities and local stakeholders

Output 6: Informal sector, grassroots, civil society organizations, women, youth, and marginalized sector capacitated and integrated into the CE value chain

Output 7: CE-related knowledge management, MERL, GEDSI and safeguards in place to strengthen and replicate CE uptake in the Philippines

The Project shall be implemented in partnership with LGUs. A total of 20 Tier 1 LGUs will be supported directly, while 40 LGUs will be supported with targeted assistance on a demand-driven basis. Out of Tier 1 LGUs, 10 LGUs have been identified:

• Baguio City
• Pasig City
• Caloocan City
• Quezon City
• Iloilo city/Metro Iloilo
• Ormoc City
• Del Carmen municipality/Siargao islands
• Island Garden City of Samal
• Davao City
• Puerto Princesa City/Palawan

The remaining Tier 1 LGUs  will be identified during the first year of implementation.

UNDP Philippines takes overall responsibility and accountability for the delivery of the project outputs. It will be accountable for managing the project, including the monitoring and evaluation of project interventions, achieving project results, and for the effective use of resources, in compliance with UNDP rules and regulations, policies and procedures. These include relevant requirements on fiduciary, procurement, environmental and social safeguards, and other performance standards.

The day-to-day implementation of the project will be led by a Project Manager within a Project Management Unit (PMU) responsible for ensuring that the project achieves the expected targets to the required quality standards and within the specified time and budget allocations. ​​The Project Manager will be supported by a Deputy Project Manager, Project Assistants, technical staff and a pool of contractors and consultants to carry out the deliverables of the project.

As part of key activities, the EU-GEPP SO2 Green LGUs project will provide grants in support for 1) CSO led CE initiatives with special attention to GEDSI groups and 2) CE education and awareness-raising activities for behavioral change.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Project Manager and the direct supervision of the   Project Specialist (Planning), the Grant Officer will work together, closely with the PMU for coordinating and managing the Grants Component of the EU-GEPP SO2 project in liaison with DILG, DENR and EU.

The Grant Officer(s) will also work closely with all relevant stakeholders (i.e national and subnational government partners, other SO implementing partners, UNDP CO, etc.), in the identification, design and implementation of grant component activities for GEPP.  The position will also require engagement, partnership building with national partners, including civil society and non-governmental organizations, women’s organizations and networks, bilateral and multilateral donors, and private sector actors.

Summary of key functions:

• Co-Design and launch calls for grants
• Ensure timely implementation and monitoring of the grants program
• Lead and coordinate capacity-building initiatives
• Contribute to knowledge management and information

Co-Design and launch calls for grants 

• Assist in the design and prepare calls for grant proposals including target groups, selection criteria, evaluation committee, evaluation process and outreach strategies ensuring adherence with the UNDP rules, policies and procedures and contractual agreements with the EU.
• Develop materials, including relevant templates related to the evaluation of applications and implementation of grants.
• Design and deliver ideation and capacity-building workshops to foster innovative ideas from local innovators, and introduce them to the EU-GEPP and grant schemes. This may include but not limited to ideation, brainstorming sessions, writing workshops for grant proposals, and interactive group activities to share, question, and validate their ideas with one another.
• Design and support launching events and communication outreach for the grant call, in collaboration with the Communication Specialist.
• Facilitate the selection process in cooperation with the evaluation committee.
• Finalize grant agreements with awardees including work plans.
• Make announcements of successful applications via social media.

Ensure timely implementation and monitoring of the grants program

• Ensure timely and effective monitoring and implementation of the awarded grants according to the performance indicators and the approved budget and work plans adhering to relevant EU and UNDP procedures.
• Prepare narrative and financial progress reports.
• Update the risk log and identify mitigation measures.
• Liaise with the relevant national and international stakeholders.
• Lead logistical, financial and contractual-related work.

Lead and coordinate capacity-building initiatives

• Assess the capacities of the grantees.
• Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives to address their needs and gaps.
• Ensure implementation and monitoring of capacity-building initiatives.
• Organize training to grantees during implementation: planning and execution, proper record keeping, and reporting of results.
• Coordinate with respective colleagues within UNDP to provide regular orientations and practical sessions on UNDP’s reporting requirements.
• Ensure timely reporting from the grantees following UNDP reporting guidelines.
• Ensure quality of work through technical review of the deliverables, spot checks and field visits, program and financial monitoring, identify implementation challenges and propose possible solutions.

Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing 

• Document best practices and lessons learned and assist in producing publicity materials on community-based planning,circular economy and other thematic areas in collaboration with the Communication Specialist.
• Contributes to knowledge networks where applicable.
• Preparing all reports and other deliverables of Grants Program and checking translations of them.
• Proactively share information in the UNDP country office.
• Preparation  of grant program status reports to the Project Board, Inter agency Technical Working Group, Programme Steering Committee, EU DILG, DENR and UNDP.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for theefficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
• Learn Continuously:  LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Direction & Strategy:

• Business Acumen – Ability to understand and deal with a business situation in a manner that is likely to lead to a good outcome; Ability to make good judgments and quick decisions within such frameworks Knowledge and understanding of the operational frameworks in the organization

Partnership management:

• CSO engagement – Knowledge and understanding of CSOs and the ability to engage with CSOs

2030 Agenda:

• Planet – Climate – Circular economy and green economy

Business Management:

• Risk Management – Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
• 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
• Monitoring & Evaluation – Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively.; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results; Ability to make independent judgment of the management and results of strategies, programmes and activities based on set criteria and benchmark, keeping in mind the needs and concerns of client, current and upcoming; Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools.; Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks; Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.

Finance:

• Financial planning and budgeting – Ability to create and manage processes to achieve UNDP’s long and short-term financial goals, including through planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysing and reporting.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Political/Social Sciences, Land Sse Planning or Design, Climate Change Adaptation or Environment Management or Disaster Risk Reduction or related field is required.  Or
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas mentioned above, in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.