Project Management Support - Senior Analyst (SUN Pooled Fund)

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- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from its offices and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries. It also includes the plans to launch the new SUN Pooled Fund 3.0.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises a personnel based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the SUN Global Support System - the GSS, consisting of four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors), the planned new Pooled Fund and the SUN Movement Secretariat, together with the SUN Movement Coordinator, work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Project Management Support - Senior Analyst (Pooled Fund)

The Project Management Support - Senior Analyst is part of the SUN Movement Secretariat Operations Team, with special focus on the Pooled Fund 3.0 operational set-up, grant and financial management. S/he is responsible for ensuring effective provision of support service for the Pooled Fund to ensure achievement of results, whilst driving compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity.

The Project Management Support - Senior Analyst (Pooled Fund) reports to the Head of Operations and provides a range of implementation support services to ensure rapid and compliant delivery for the SUN Pooled Fund 3.0, including programme management,, grant and financial management support..

He/she works in close collaboration with the Operations Team and colleagues across the SMS as well as interfacing with the Support Services function of the UNOPS Geneva Office, UNOPS HQ and other key stakeholders for successful service delivery.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Programme management support - Provide substantive inputs for the design and formulation of the SUN Pooled Fund 3.0 workplan and budget, including setting goals, targets and performance standards. - Monitor and follow up on expenditures provide analyses of previous years; estimate new requirements and prepare SUN Pooled Fund 3.0 budget plans. - Oversee the delivery of internal clients’ services, keeping them informed of the status of Pooled Fund activities. - Facilitate active interaction with internal clients to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction. - Provide support for procurement related to the Pooled Fund. This includes coordination with relevant colleagues, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments with different vendors/subcontractors/service providers. Initiate procurement processes and coordinate with the Operations Team and UNOPS Geneva Office to ensure viable procurement solutions that are cost-effective and meet operational needs. - Provide IT/administration related support to the Pooled Fund. This includes support to key events (e.g. conferences, Donor meetings) and asset management

2. Grant Management (operations) - Draft, review and take the lead in the development of the Operations Manual and templates for the set-up of the grant management mechanism under the Pooled Fund 3.0. - Draft, review and take the lead in Grant Support operations of the Pooled Fund. This includes preparation of various documents (CFPs, RFA, GSA etc.). - Initiate and lead within the operations team to conduct Due Diligence Assessments (DDAs) of potential Grantees, and manage follow-up actions related to financial recommendations. This may include performing basic evaluation and periodic capacity assessment. - Provide day-to-day help and guidance to the Grantees and ensure understanding of, and compliance with the operational guidelines, terms and conditions of the grant agreement, and UNOPS requirements; - Resolve operational and process issues related to grant management, and refer complex issues to the supervisor with recommendations for courses of action; - Highlight risks and delays to the supervisor and Operations Team as appropriate; - Initiate and take lead to update and maintain grants and contracts tools that will ensure timely review and deadlines of reports submission assigned by project and internal requirements.

3. Financial Management Support - Review grant budgets, and financial reports against approved budgets, to provide critical feedback to the implementing partners, SMS teams and supervisor, if necessary; - Monitor budgets in grant proposals and verify their consistency and reasonableness; assist in discussion/negotiation of costs/fees as required; - Verify reporting requirements are adhered to and ensure close liaison with the supervisor on any delays or other difficulties; - Review payment requests and ensure payments are processed based upon the grant agreement, agreed payment schedules, and fund availability; - Support the Head of Operations in budgeting and forecasting of grant related expenditures; ensure variances are communicated at an early stage; - Coordinate the process of operational and financial closure of grants and projects; - Contribute to the coordination and follow up on audits of Grantees.

4. Knowledge management - Actively seeks for, synthesizes, and documents best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to grant operations and programme/project management. - Actively contribute in the organisation and support of conducting training for the operations/projects personnel. - Actively compile lessons learned and best practices, and share knowledge and best practices on financial management with SMS as well as wider GVA office personnel working on grants projects.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - An advanced university degree ( Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is required. - A Bachelor Degree with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in general administrative, procurement, logistics, operations or support services in national or international public or corporate organizations.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office/Google Workspace and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Experience in the use of Enterprise systems is desirable.
• Proven experience in finance and grant management support is highly desirable
• Experience working with UNOPS is a strong asset.
• Prince2 certification is an asset.

Language: - Full working knowledge of English is essential. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, is considered an asset.

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

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Contract level: International ICA-1 (ICS 9)

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to 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.

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.

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.
• 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.

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.