The Global Environment Facility (GEF), Small Grants Programme (SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia is inviting eligible candidates to apply for membership to the National Steering Committee.

Established in 1992, the GEF SGP operates under the principle that global environmental solutions are usually sustainable if local populations are actively involved, and direct community benefits and ownership are generated. It focuses on the following priority areas:

• 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.
• Catalysing sustainable urban solutions.
• CSO-Government-Private Sector Policy and Planning Dialogue Platforms.
• Enhancing social inclusion.
• Monitoring and Evaluation, and Knowledge Management.

The implementation of the GEF SGP is highly decentralised and implemenred in a democractic, transparent, and country-driven manner, facilitated by the National Coordinator.

Small Grants Programme grants are awarded based on decisions made by the voluntary National Steering Committee (NSC) guided by the Country Programme Strategy paper developed based on national environment and development priorities. The NSC is the central element of the SGP governance and contributes to the country programme and its strategic management. The NSC is composed of national government representatives, UNDP Country Office, and Civil Society members representing Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Community Based Organisation (CBO), academia, science/research, and the private sector, with a majority from the non-governmental sector.

The NSC oversees the development and implementation of SGP Country Programme Strategies (CPS) and approval of grants for projects. The NC facilitates and supports the entirely voluntary work of NSC members.

The GEF SGP in Zambia is pleased to announce a call for applications fromcandidates to be part of the SGP NSC. Participation in the NSC is a voluntary undertakingand attracts no monetary compensation. The NSC members and organizations they represent CAN NOT apply for or benefit from SGP grants.

Suitability of NSCmembers is based on the individual’s expertise in one or more of the  GEF focal areas, sustainable livelihoods, gender considerations, communications, resource mobilization, capacity development, to be able to contribute significantly to the work of the committee.

Eligibility

Zambian citizens from the Civil Society Organization (CSO) sector including NGO, CBO, academic and scientific/research institutions, indigenous peoples/local community representatives, women groups, private sector representatives, donor institutions.

Education

A university degree (Masters or higher will be an added advantage) or a minimum of 3 years’ experience in a subject related to natural resources management, environmental economics, development studies, or related field in the GEF focal areas .

Experience

• Must have high credibility and broad experience working with CSOs, CBOs, and vulnerable communities
• 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 specific themes such as gender, disability, sustainable livelihoods. Experts with proven experience in social inclusion, gender and disability are especially encouraged to apply.

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.

Selected candidates will be invited to serve as voluntary members of the NSC for three years. Interested and qualified individuals are invited to apply.

To demonstrate interest, applicants must submit electronic copy of their CV and a letter of expression of interest to become a member of the SGP, NSC no later than 16^th August 2024, 5:00pm to UNDP //www.undp.org/zambia/registry.zm@undp.org" style="box-sizing: inherit; transition: color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s, background-color 0.1s ease-in-out 0s; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(30, 115, 190);">registry.zm@undp.org and copy the National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme, Zambia gef.zm@undp.org.

For more information and to review the submission documents, download the documents on the UNDP website here.