Grants Management Specialist

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.
Working with us
We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.
Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

Under the overall guidance of the Senior Project Manager and in close coordination with the Project team members, the incumbent is responsible for performing a variety of interrelated activities, with focus on high quality and accuracy of work. The Procurement Specialist (Grants Management) will also be engaging with other project partners and stakeholders in all aspects relating to grant management services and general financial management. This includes relevant technical counterparts, Grant Delivery Partners at country level and internally with UNOPS HQ, Legal and Financial Units.

A key responsibility of the incumbent will be to support the Senior Project Manager in developing a comprehensive monitoring & evaluation system through which project related data and results can be compiled and assessed. The M&E system will also assist UNOPS and the World Bank in identifying key implementation challenges for Implementation Partners and type of capacity building and training can be designed to most adequately to address the challenges identified.

The GMS will be responsible for the internal knowledge management and communication of results, lessons learnt and best practices for the benefit of other UNOPS projects in the area of Grant Management Support.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Grant Management

Work closely with Senior Project Manager and project teams on timely preparation and quality management of the grant agreements;

Provide advice and quality support to the project in evaluating proposals and making recommendations;

Support the project in reviewing Grantees narrative reports;

Preparing other narrative reports and submitting to the project manager and donor periodically.

Financial Management

Work closely with the project team members on review of Grants budget and financial reports;

Lead on financial monitoring of the Project, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions;

Provide support and advice to the project team members on budget reallocation requests from Implementation Partners or analysis of financial reports;

Provide Support and advice in planning, budgeting and monitoring of the portfolio, tracking the use of financial resources;

Provide substantive support to the project team in coordination of audit reports and Grantee’s Financial Capacity Assessments (Due Diligences).

Monitoring and Evaluation

Work closely with Senior Project Manager on monitoring grants;

Assist and advice Project Team members on developing field monitoring checklists and reporting templates of grantees;

Assist in the active assessment of portfolio performance with a view to assure quality assurance, support the quarterly quality assurance process.

Knowledge building and Knowledge sharing

Assist project in harnessing latest available knowledge on technology for grants management;

Provide quality advice and support to the project team on periodic review and update of the Project Operational Manual and to reflect best practices;

Lead on updating necessary SOPs, guidelines and templates;

Assist in providing training and technology transfer to project personnel and advice on good grant management practices,

Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

Provide feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productivity.

General Support

Working in close collaboration with project teams and build collaborative team spirit;

Support the Senior Project Manager and project team to respond to relevant queries; extract and analyze information accordingly;

Draft inputs such as talking points, slide decks, blog entries and other type of informational/operational demands in coordination with other team members;

Contribute to identifying Risk, Lessons Learned and Issues;

Perform other responsibilities as may from time to time be requested by the Senior Project Manager

Skills

Auditing, Budget Analysis, Data Analysis, Financial Reporting, Grant Monitoring, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, Risk Assessment, Stakeholder Management, Finance Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) international relations, international development, economics, finance,business administration or a related field is required.

Bachelor degree in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

At least 5 years of experience (or more depending on academic credentials) in grant management, international cooperation and/or project management related m

Desired

Experience in private sector engagement, particularly in developing partnerships with private companies, and facilitating collaboration between private operators, local communities and public institutions.

Experience in agricultural or rural development projects, particularly those involving irrigation, agricultural value chains, rural livelihoods, or the delivery of infrastructure and services to farming communities.

Experience working in Afghanistan and familiarity with the Afghan private sector, including its key actors, business environment, and opportunities and challenges for private sector engagement in agricultural and rural development.

Demonstrated skills in dealing with large databases and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis.

Demonstrable exposure to development topics, knowledge of grant management.

Demonstrable experience in Partnership Management and communication.

Experience working with environmental issues such as plastic pollution is desired.

Experience working in the development and humanitarian sector/working with Private Sectors, UN, Donors, NGOs is desired.

Additional experience of project support functions (finance, human resources, procurement & logistics) is desired.

Strong computer skills, including internet navigation and office applications (Google Workspace/MS Office)

Language Requirements

Language

Proficiency Level

Requirement

English

Fluent

Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4958