SGP National Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) was launched in 1992 with the mission to provide financial and technical support to civil society and community-based organizations (CSOs/CBOs) to deliver global environmental benefits while improving local livelihoods. The program focuses on biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable-land-management" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">sustainable land management. In Tajikistan, the SGP is implemented by FAO, which aims to harmonize environmental sustainability with local livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">food security through grassroots innovation. The current phase, known as 'SGP 2.0', leverages FAO’s expertise in agrifood systems, forestry, and fisheries to strengthen the link between environmental sustainability and food security. FAO country offices, led by an FAO Representative, assist governments in developing policies and programs to achieve food security and reduce hunger and malnutrition, while promoting sustainable use of environmental and natural resources.

Job Overview:
The SGP National Coordinator (NC) will be based in FAO Tajikistan in Dushanbe and will report directly to the FAO Representative. The NC will work closely with designated SGP focal points in FAO Tajikistan, the Global Program Management Team (GPMT), and the National Steering Committee (NSC). The primary responsibility of the NC is to oversee project activities in Tajikistan, ensuring that all work is conducted in close coordination with government partners and other national stakeholders. The NC will lead the national SGP workforce, support capacity building, and track team performance. The role requires the development of the Annual Work Plan, coordination of the Country Programme Strategy, and monitoring of national environmental and socio-economic conditions relevant to the GEF SGP programme. The NC will also provide guidance and support to SGP grantees, ensuring compliance with FAO ethical and financial standards, and will be responsible for documenting lessons learned and promoting knowledge sharing to inform future programming.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the SGP National Coordinator include leading the national SGP workforce, coordinating closely with FAO Tajikistan and other stakeholders, supporting the NSC throughout the project cycle, developing the Annual Work Plan, monitoring national environmental and socio-economic conditions, pre-screening SGP proposals, providing day-to-day guidance to SGP grantees, overseeing the country SGP allocation, ensuring due diligence and compliance with contractual agreements, providing oversight and quality assurance across the SGP portfolio, supporting monitoring and evaluation processes, documenting lessons learned, strengthening synergies with other projects, leading advocacy and resource mobilization efforts, and acting as the main SGP focal point at the country level.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Economics, Public Policy, Law, Environmental Economics/Management, Business Administration, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in the above fields combined with two additional years of relevant experience is acceptable. Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a Master’s degree or 7 years with a Bachelor’s degree in managing environmental/natural resource management projects at national or local levels. Additionally, candidates must be a national of Tajikistan and have a working knowledge of English and Tajik.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Environmental or Natural Resource Management, Economics, Public Policy, Law, Environmental Economics/Management, Business Administration, or a related field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in these fields is also acceptable if combined with additional relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in managing environmental or natural resource management projects at national or local levels, which can be reduced to 7 years if the candidate holds a Bachelor’s degree instead of a Master’s degree. Candidates should have progressively responsible experience in project or programme management at national and/or international levels, as well as proven experience in the design, management, and monitoring and evaluation of UN or development projects.

Languages:
Candidates must have a working knowledge of English and Tajik. Knowledge of Russian is considered an advantage, but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. FAO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from institutions accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED). The appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, as well as any residency or visa requirements and security clearances.