Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.
Background information โ Job-specific
The โEU Civil Society Facility in Central Asiaโ project aims to enhance the participation and engagement of Central Asian CSOs in regional dialogues with each other, as well as the EU. This will include capacity development to CSOs to improve their competencies, including helping ensure that they have the abilities to deliver their work in line with the respective legislation, including regarding reporting and audit management capabilities.
Additionally, the project focuses on engaging young leaders, building on the momentum of the Young Voices of Central Asia Forum held in Samarkand in 2022. This will be done by enhancing the capacities of young leaders through dedicated training and knowledge exchange sessions, with focus on topics that are critical for sustainable development, including environment and digitalization.
UNOPS will develop and manage a Small Grants Facility for CSOs to support their work under its grants management framework. Such support will accordingly be provided through UNOPS-managed processes under UN/UNOPS rules and regulations, subject to issuance of call for proposals, technical and financial evaluation results, capacity assessments, reviews and approvals under UNOPSโ Delegation of Authority framework. Furthermore, support will only be provided to legal entities registered under the respective national laws in the Central Asia region. It is expected to provide a total of 30 grants of an average amount of 15,000 USD/each being for the entire project implementation period. The PMT will ensure that efforts are made to further target women-led CSOs to be included in this initiative.
Overall, the specifics of grants methodology and selection approach will be designed under UNOPSโ rules in consultation with the EU and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR).
The project is carried out in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). UNOPS is responsible for the overall project management of the project, including monitoring and reporting to the EUD, and coordinating project activities under a dedicated project team with other implementing partners and relevant stakeholders.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Project Manager the incumbent provides operational support in relation to all grants management processes for the entire duration of the project e.g. determination of specifications, launch of Expressions of Interest and Request for Proposals, evaluation of bids and selection from UNOPS side as well as monitoring and evaluation of bidders' performance, especially in activities listed below 1. Grant Management
Draft specifications and launch Calls for applications.
Shortlisting (including technical evaluation, feasibility evaluation, assessment of ToC, underlying assumptions, extended outcomes, capacity of Grantees to deliver).
Preparation of necessary documentation related to shortlisted proposals.
Evaluate the bids and select from UNOPS side.
Monitor and evaluate the bidders' performance.
Support Senior Project Manager in reviewing Grantees narrative reports.
Support preparation of other narrative reports related to the small grant component.
2. Financial Management
Provide support to PMT during review of Grants budget and financial reports.
Provide support on financial monitoring of the Project, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions
Provide support to PMT on budget reallocation requests from Delivery Partners or analysis of financial reports.
Provide Support in planning, budgeting and monitoring of the project, tracking the use of financial resources.
Provide support to PMT in coordination of audit reports and Granteeโs Financial Capacity Assessments (Due Diligences).
3. Monitoring and Evaluation- Small Grants
Assist in the active assessment of portfolio performance with a view to assure quality assurance, support the quarterly quality assurance process.
Develop and maintain the M&E framework and tools including field monitoring checklists and reporting templates for small grants.
Ensure monthly, midterm and end term progress reviews of small grants, and contribute to produce reports to UNOPS and EU.
Compile the results of small grants to be presented in quarterly and annual reports, project dashboards, project websites and other wider communications across the partner countries and regions.
Ensure regular update to the Grant Management System reflecting management status and results of small grants.
4. General Support
Working in close collaboration with PMT teams and build collaborative team spirit.
Support/Assist the Senior Project Manager and PMT 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.
Identify Risk, Lessons Learned and Issues.
Perform other responsibilities as required. Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Grant Management Officer directly affects the overall efficiency of the project implementation and improves the lives of the communities the grant will be implemented in. Timely and accountable delivery of services ensures client satisfaction and promotes the image and credibility of the team and office as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPSโ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational 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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Local ICA retainer
Contract level: LICA 08
Contract duration: 3 years, in line with the project duration.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.