Grants & Finance Specialist

Overview

The Grants & Finance Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing grant mechanisms and supporting the effective financial and operational management of grant-funded activities for the Private Sector Resilience Program.

Key Responsibilities

• Preparing and managing the Call for Proposals (CFP), conducting and managing the submission and evaluation of proposals.
• Managing day-to-day administration of grant management activities and implementing partners.
• Communicating with and providing guidance to implementing partners on grant-related matters.
• Coordinating due diligence processes, including capacity assessments and PSEA capacity assessment.
• Reviewing and consulting on implementing partner documentation and work plans, budgets, and results frameworks.
• Facilitating orientation sessions and routine dialogue with implementing partners.
• Coordinating the timely preparation and processing of grant award requests, amendments and implementing partner agreements.
• Monitoring the implementation of implementing partner activities based on the approved work plan, budget and results framework.
• Establishing and maintaining effective and professional working relationships with implementing partners.
• Coordinating and following up on implementing partner assurance activities.
• Facilitating the sharing of lessons learned between implementing partners.
• Establishing and managing effective information flows between implementing partners and team.
• Coordinating the process of the operational closure of implementing partner grants and UNOPS project closure.
• Establishing and maintaining effective financial management arrangements for grants and related project activities.
• Supporting the preparation, review and consolidation of grant budgets and relevant project financial plans.
• Monitoring grant expenditures, commitments, budget utilization, cash-flow requirements and financial forecasts.
• Reviewing grant payment requests, budgets, financial provisions and amendments.
• Monitoring advances, expenditures, liquidations and outstanding balances.
• Reviewing implementing partner financial reports for completeness, accuracy and compliance.
• Preparing consolidated project financial information, dashboards and management reports.
• Preparing regular project financial reports and managing their finalization and submission.
• Providing financial inputs to project and donor reporting, financial reviews and project closure.
• Leading the review, monitoring and updating of the UNOPS implementing partner capacity assessment and PSEA capacity assessment.
• Organizing and delivering IP capacity development and training in financial and organisational management and PSEA.
• Providing day-to-day help and guidance to the IPs and coordinating with the Project Team.
• Providing IPs with the required assistance in developing or strengthening their internal guidelines and policies.
• Standardizing IP capacity development efforts by UNOPS.
• Keeping abreast of and incorporating latest/best practices, approaches and technology.
• Institutionalizing and sharing best practices and lessons for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to align grant operations with changing environments.
• Leading the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of project personnel, implementing partners, clients and stakeholders.
• Coordinating with the UNOPS Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) and AFCO peers.
• Identifying and assessing potential risks associated with grant implementation, and developing mitigation strategies.
• Ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, procurement procedures, and relevant donor requirements.
• Supporting regular audits and conducting spot checks of grant activities.
• Overseeing and ensuring the implementation of the FundsChain blockchain platform.
• Serving as the primary point of contact for grantees.
• Facilitating communication and collaboration between grantees, UNOPS project team, and other stakeholders.
• Organizing regular meetings and workshops to share information, best practices, and lessons learned.
• Preparing regular progress reports and presentations for senior management and donors.
• Contributing to the development of new grant programs and initiatives.
• Evaluating the effectiveness of existing grant programs and recommending improvements.
• Conducting research and analysis on best practices in grant management and private sector development.

Required Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with a Master’s Degree; OR a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's Degree.
• Experience in project/programme management, with a focus on private sector development, grant management, or economic development in complex environments is considered relevant.
• Desired: Experience making grants to private sector entities and/or developing and managing complex grants.
• Desired: Experience working with the World Bank or other international financial institutions.
• Desired: Experience in FCV contexts.

Qualifications

Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field; OR a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field.

Other Details