Grants & Contracts Analyst

Contract

This is a IICA-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, which is being hosted by UNOPS, is a cross-sectoral partnership with the goal of reaching 500 million additional people with assistive technology by 2030 to support them in participating in education, work, and everyday life. ATscale is hosted by UNOPS.

Today, over 1 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but over 900 million people (90%) do not have access to the assistive technology they require. The number of people who need assistive technology is expected to grow to more than 2 billion people by 2050.

Access to appropriate assistive technology enables persons with a loss of function, impairments, non-communicable diseases, and the aging population to participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to assistive technology has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without assistive technology, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate assistive technology causes poorer health outcomes including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all of which lead to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of assistive technology unlocks unrealised economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

Launched at the Global Disability Summit in July 2018, ATscale was developed in response to the need for a new, catalytic approach to overcoming the significant gap in access to appropriate, high-quality, and affordable assistive technology globally. As a cross-sector partnership for assistive technology, ATscale aims to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge.

ATscale is seeking a Grants and Contracts Analyst to join its team in assisting with the daily operations and first catalytic initiatives of its initial strategic phase. This new role provides a unique opportunity to be a part of the team that is building and moving forward a unique multi-stakeholder partnership to address one of the most significant and most underinvested issues of our global development agenda – the need for assistive technology.

Functional Responsibilities

The Grants and Contracts Analyst will be supporting the secretariat to achieve the annual workplan and will be embedded within the ATscale secretariat and implement best practices across the programme’s grants and contracts as they come on board.

The Grants and Contracts Analyst reports to the Programme Support Specialist, who provides direction and general supervision. The Grants and Contracts Analyst will ensure close collaboration and engagement with the teams within the ATscale Secretariat. He/she will manage the development of new grants/contracts and will be responsible to ensure and process timely and quality grant and contract management, knowledge and application of UNOPS relevant tools, systems, and processes. It is expected that over time, he/she will also develop the capacity of other units to oversee and manage grants and contracts. The Grants and Contracts Analyst is responsible to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility. This position will also act as a deputy in the absence of the Programme Support Specialist,

Specific tasks will include:

1. Grant Management

• Prepare and review grant awards requests, draft grant agreements and subsequent amendments, using the approved templates ensuring that all agreements and amendments are constructed and issued in line with UNOPS legal and financial rules and regulations;
• Review grant budgets, and financial reports against approved budgets, to provide critical feedback to the implementing partners (IPs), programme teams, support services, and supervisor, if necessary;
• Monitor budgets in grant proposals and verify their consistency with prevailing market rate; assist in discussion/negotiation of costs/fees as required;
• Verify reporting requirements are adhered to and ensure teams liaise closely with the ATscale Secretariat and the supervisor on any delays or other difficulties;
• Prepare payment requests and ensure payments are processed based upon the grant agreement, agreed payment schedules, and fund availability;
• Support the Finance Analyst and Programme Support Specialist in budgeting and forecasting of grant related expenditures; ensure variances are communicated at an early stage;
• Communicate with and provide guidance/advice to implementing partners on grant-related and financial matters, in collaboration with the Programme Support Specialist and the Geneva team
• Resolve operational and process issues related to grant management, and refer complex issues to the supervisor with recommendations for courses of action;
• Coordinate the process of operational and financial closure of grants and projects;
• Contributing to the coordination and follow up on the audits of Implementing Partners;
• Highlight risks and delays to the supervisor and team as appropriate

2. Capacity assessment and Capacity building

• Conduct Due Diligence Assessments (DDAs) of the IPs, and manage follow-up actions identified in the assessment reports.
• Organize and support IP capacity development and training in financial and organisational management.
• Provide day-to-day help and guidance to the IPs and coordinate with Program Unit to ensure IP understanding of, and compliance with any relevant operational guidelines, terms and conditions of the grant agreement, and UNOPS requirements.
• Actively liaising with other Geneva Officeo grants teams to align to the extent possible IP capacity development efforts as well as streamlining and harmonizing of practices and tools within UNOPS Geneva.
• Actively compiling lessons learned and best practices, and sharing knowledge and best practices within the UNOPS Geneva Office and with IPs, on financial and organizational management.
• Provide guidance to and share knowledge with the other members of the Secretariat to improve the overall team’s coherence and competency

3. Documentation:

• Monitor information related to contractual arrangements – on audits, inventories, utilization and all such elements in the contracts and grants
• Ensure that all records are collected and maintained, both hard copies and electronic copies for easy reference and retrieval
• Maintain a database/archive of all grant related information and documentation of all the implementing partners of the Programme.
• Keep the supervisor updated on progress and issues, and prepare timely briefing materials and reports as requested.

4. Procurement and other tasks:

• Assist in drafting of TORs for subcontractors and consultants; lead procurement solicitation process, manage proposals of suitable firms or institutions and individual consultants; evaluation of proposals received; recommendations for contract awards; negotiations with successful bidder
• Support in drafting of contract documents; administration of contracts and agreements and processing amendments, purchase orders and payments.
• Monitor compliance of procurement activities with UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control, analysis of parameters in support of proper design and functioning of a procurement management system
• Perform other related tasks as assigned by the supervisor

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University degree – (Master’s degree or equivalent) in administration, development studies, economics, project management, finance or an equivalent degree in related fields is required.
• Bachelor degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of post Master’s or 4 years post Bachelor’s degree relevant professional experience in contracts/grant management and/or project administration/support functions (finance, operations) is required.
• Good knowledge of UN contractual and accounting principles and modalities is strongly desirable;
• Previous experience with, and a good knowledge of the development and humanitarian sector/working with UN, Donors, NGOs is desirable;
• Previous experience with UNOPS is desirable;
• Additional experience of project support functions (finance, human resources, procurement & logistics) is desirable;
• Experience working with ERPs and specific knowledge of UNOPS systems is an desirable;
• Thorough knowledge of UN rules and procedures in budget or grant management and contracting is highly desirable
• Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis is strongly desirable
• Strong computer skills, including internet navigation and office applications (Google Workspace/MS Office); good knowledge in the use of Excel spreadsheets/Google sheets is desirable.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset (French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin)

Competencies

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

1. Contract type: International ICA
2. Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement Level 1
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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

*************This position is based in Switzerland and the contract fee is not exempt from Swiss laws, including but not limited to laws regarding taxation, social security, accident and health insurance.*************

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.