Programme Management Senior Analyst (Grants)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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.

UNOPS team in Thailand supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Located in Bangkok, the team supports UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations, and governments throughout the region. We provide a range of services, including human resources (HR), financial management, procurement and project implementation services.

UNOPS Thailand delivers large-scale and high volume transactional HR services on behalf of global partners.

To best serve partners' needs, our team utilises standardised and unified systems and processes to ensure the highest quality of services and cost-effectiveness for partners.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Programme Manager and the Programme Management Senior Officer, the Programme Management Senior Analyst will undertake the following responsibilities:

Grant Management

• Prepare 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 submitted by implementing partners, verify their consistency with prevailing market rate; assist in discussion/negotiation of costs/fees as required; provide critical feedback to the implementing partners;
• Ensure that reporting requirements are adhered to and liaise closely on any delays or difficulties; Highlight risks and delays to the supervisor as appropriate;
• Review financial reports and inform the programme focal points or the supervisor on the findings;
• Work closely with the Finance Team on changes in the grants values, and update on payment schedules for cash flow planning;
• Review payment requests and ensure payments are processed based upon the grant agreement and agreed payment schedules;
• Communicate with and provide guidance/advice to implementing partners on grant-related and financial matters;
• Resolve routine operational and process issues related to grant management, and refer complex issues to the supervisor with recommendations for courses of action;
• Ensure operational and financial closure of grants in line with requirements;
• Contribute to the coordination and follow up on the audits of Implementing Partners;
• Improve efficiency and effectiveness of processes and procedures wherever possible, reducing burden on partners in line with localization principles;
• Work creatively to find solutions that are acceptable under the UNOPS procedures and well adapted to the reality of partners on the ground and principles of localisation.

Due Diligence Assessment and Capacity Building

• Implement supportive and inclusive Due Diligence Assessments (DDA) on all new implementing partners, liaising with other UN Agencies wherever possible to reduce partner burden. Develop comprehensive assessment reports based on DDA;
• Work with implementing partners to develop improvement plans and support their implementation, including ensuring available financial resources. Ensure completion of any follow-up actions in assessment reports;
• Actively liaise with other grants teams to align to the extent possible IP capacity development efforts as well as streamlining and harmonizing of practices and tools within UNOPS;
• Contribute to the overall knowledge sharing and collaboration within UNOPS on grant management, due diligence assessment and improvement plans.

Documentation and Others

• 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;
• Other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.

Programme Management Support

• Support the collection and aggregation of project level MEAL results and other project data into programmatic frameworks;
• Participate in programmatic and partner meetings as needed;
• Support in scheduling travel, accommodation and other support as needed by the programme team.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Master's degree preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Project Management or related field is required.
• Bachelor's degree preferably in the same above-mentioned subjects with minimum 4 years of experience in contracts/grant management and/or project administration and/or project support is considered an equivalent.
• Completion of PRINCE2 Foundation certificate is an advantage.

Work Experience

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in contracts/grant management and/or project administration and/or project support is required.
• Good knowledge of contractual and accounting principles and modalities is required.
• Strong computer skills, including the use of Excel spreadsheets is required.
• Prior experience, particularly in grant management, with UNOPS is an advantage.
• Prior experience in preparing and collaborating with internal and external auditors is an asset.
• Previous successful involvement with, and a good knowledge of the development and humanitarian sector/working with UN, Donors, or NGOs is an advantage.
• Experience with Google Workspace (G Suite) is an asset.

Language Requirement

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA Specialist-9 Contract duration: 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

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.
• This position is stationed in Bangkok, Thailand which is a family duty station.

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. 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.