Project Management Support - Senior Associate (Grant Management)

Contract

This is a LICA-7 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

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.

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

Background Information - Sri Lanka

UNOPS in Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability and accountability of Projects. Key projects in Sri Lanka include the Technical Project Management support for the Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strengthening Project in Matara District, Sri Lanka funded by KOICA.

UNOPS Sri Lanka also facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund

Project Information: UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called SACEP ( South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the WB-funded PLEASE Project in South Asia. UNOPS signed a Project Agreement with SACEP (South Asia Co-operative Environment Programme) on 9 June 2022. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the Plastic free Rivers & Seas for South Asia Project (PLEASE). In Particular, UNOPS is expected to assist the PIU in implementing RBG (Regional Competitive Block Grant) under Component 1 of PLEASE.

Under the overall Supervision of the UNOPS Grant Management Expert. The Incumbent will support the SACEP PIU and provide Technical Assistance in Implementation of the Component 1 of PLEASE Project, especially in activities listed below

Functional Responsibilities

1. Grant Management

- Support and advice to the Grant Management Specialist and SACEP PIU in shortlisting (including: technical evaluation, feasibility evaluation, assessment of ToC, underlying assumptions, extended outcomes, capacity of Grantees to deliver); - Ensures preparation of necessary documentation related to shortlisted proposals for SACEPS PIU/’s submission to respective RBG Selection Committees in conjunction with the Grant Management Specialist and SACEP PIU - Provide administrative support to the Grant Management Specialist and SACEP and PIU during elaboration of full proposals and coordination with Grantees; - Provide administrative support during the the process of proposal evaluation; - Support SACEP and PIU in reviewing Grantees narrative reports; - Collaborates with the preparation of other narrative reports and submitting to SACEP and PIU periodically;

2. Financial Management

- Provide support to SACEP and PIU during review of Grants budget and financial reports; - Ensures proper financial monitoring of the Project, identification of operational and financial problems, and development of solutions - Provide support to PIU and SACEP on budget reallocation requests from Delivery Partners or analysis of financial reports; - Provide oversight in planning, budgeting and monitoring of the portfolio, tracking the use of financial resources; - Liaise with SACEP and PIU to coordinatinate audit reports and Grantee’s Financial Capacity Assessments (Due Diligences).

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

- Provide support to SACEP PIU during monitoring grants; - Assist SACEP and PIU on developing field monitoring checklists, recommendations and reporting templates of grantees; - Collaborate in the assessment of portfolio performance with a view to assure quality assurance, support the quarterly quality assurance process.

4. General Support

- Working in close collaboration with PIU/ SACEP teams and build collaborative team spirit; - Support/ Assist the Grant Management Specialist, International Project Manager and SACEP/ PIU to respond to relevant queries; extract and analyze information accordingly; - Recommends inputs such as talking points, slide decks, blog entries and other type of informational/operational demands in coordination with other team members; - Support the Grant Management Specialist in identifying Risk, Lessons Learned and Issues; - Perform other responsibilities as may from time to time be requested by the International Project Manager.

Impact of Results: The effective and successful achievement of results by Project Manager Support Senior Associate directly impacts on achievement of the projects and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

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. Functional competencies:

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrates results orientation and focus on solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with clients, donors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan work in a collaborative manner and to manage priorities
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the project and in accordance with UNOPS shared goals
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Technical competencies:

The Project Manager Support Senior Associate is responsible for keeping abreast of new developments in Grants/ Fund and project management.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Secondary Education (High School or equivalent) - Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Development Economics, Public Relations, Statistics or other related field is desirable and may substitute some years of relevant experience or - First Level University Degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Social Sciences, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Development Economics, Public Relations, Statistics or other related field is desirable and may substitute some years of relevant experience

Experience: - At least 7 years of experience (or less depending on academic credentials) in international cooperation and/or project management related matters is required.

Desirable experience: - Demonstrated skills set in dealing with large database, spreadsheet. - Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis. - Demonstrable exposure to development topics Knowledge on Grant Management. - Demonstrable experience with 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 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: - Fluency English is required. - Sinhala and Tamil is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Support

Contract level: LICA-7 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

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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.