Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

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 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.

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager, and the direct supervision of Management Specialist (planning), the Grants Officer(s) will be responsible 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.

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, CSOs, 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;
Ensure that workplans of each grantees are complete, coherent, and in full alignment for each specific LGU circular economy portfolios;
Conduct due diligence activities for each grantee before contracting stage;
Finalize grant agreements together with the procurement team;
Make announcements of successful applications via social media;
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;
Conduct meetings and monitoring activities in accordance with the grants playbook schedule;
Maintain and routinely update the online monitoring system for each grantee;
Review monthly financial reports including attachments and means of verification;
Review submitted narrative reports and distribute to relevant team members for comments and suggestions;
Update the risk log and identify mitigation measures;
Liaise with the relevant national and international stakeholders;
Lead logistical, financial and contractual-related work;
Ensure timely implementation and monitoring of the grants program.

Lead and coordinate capacity building initiatives

Assess the capacities of the grantees;
Organize training to grantees during implementation: planning and execution, proper record keeping, and reporting of results;
Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives to address their needs and gaps;
Ensure implementation and monitoring of capacity-building initiatives;
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 the efficient 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 and 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, analyzing and reporting

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Engineering, Political/Social Sciences, Land use 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.

Experience:

Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in providing management advisory services, and/or hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects.

Desired Skills:

Experience in management of at least 3 grant programmes with national and local governments would be an asset'
Experience with managing grants programmes under UNDP/ UN systems is an asset;
At least two (2) years of demonstrated experience in the areas of circular economy, green economy, environment and climate change is an asset;
At least two (2) years experience in procurement, processing of payments, project budgets, and other administrative and operations processes in development organizations is a plus;
Demonstrated capabilities in risk management is an asset;
Prior experience of knowledge of UN or UNDP financial rules, policies and procedures is an asset.

Required Language(s):

Fluency in English and Filipino is required.

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.

Use of AI by candidates

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Grants Officer [Open to internal and external applicants]