Project Management Support Specialist (Socio Economic & Grants)

• Provide solid guidance on the creation, implementation and management of grant schemes to support cultural and creative industries sector operators in the selected project target sites with a viewpoint of empowering local communities and contributing to increase of income generation, reducing poverty and reinforcing social inclusion. 
• Analyse and propose implementation approaches for soundness, feasibility and cost implications for Grants intervention areas. .

• Contribute to a strategy plan to stimulate local cultural operators and professionals to acquire and develop artistic, technical, technological and managerials skills and competencies to be engaged in economically viable activities, goods and services, with special focus on vulnerable groups and Youth engagement. 
• Identify potential clients and business partners to pursue new business opportunities.
• Provide guidance and support to all counterparts and partners on grant management issues, report any deviations and impact of changes or issues that arise during implementation, suggesting a range of solutions where possible.
• Manage the effective information flows with internal and external stakeholders, including established, consistent and consolidated reporting formats .
• Foster collaborative work environment within the Project team and different partners in monitoring implementation of grants by coordinating projects implementation plans, cost implications, timely start, progress and completion of all activities and proactively highlighting for discussion and action the activities that are at risk of processes being delayed.

• Ensure effective and compliant grant management implementation in line with agreed scope, timelines, budget and UNOPS mandate, mission and vision. 
• Establish priorities, targets and performance standards; develop business plans with measurable short and long term targets, and monitor progress to measure performance against these. 
• Coordinate  integration of the work stream into the overall program engagement/project.
• In coordination with relevant stakeholders, develop Calls for Proposal (CfP) with consideration of selection  criteria, targeting economic, cultural and innovative tourism, cultural or environmental activities, Lead the CfPs process in line with UNOPS policies and procedures, including dissemination and outreach activities of CfPs, preparation for review by grant selection committee, preparation of evaluation reports and the submission to relevant authority for awards.
• Coordinate contracting of grantees with support from operations units and teams, management of the respective legal instruments, disbursements to grantees and extension or closure of the appropriate contracts.
• Manage day to day administration of the grant management activities with support from operations units and teams, track the progress of grantees, as well as the collection and assessment of their narrative and financial reports. 
• Conduct substantive grant performance monitoring in accordance with the approved proposals and defined milestones, including during inception, delivery and closure of grants. 
• Assist with maintaining the project issues, risks, lessons learned, quality registers and other relevant products as per UNOPS’ legislative framework and Grants Management Manual.
• The incumbent will be required to report to the supervisor on programme performance, including preparing reports to be provided to the Project Board and other stakeholders, ensuring consistency with UNOPS rules, regulations and requirements, as well as the terms of the relevant project and grants contracts.
• Perform other related duties and tasks as needed for effective implementation of grants, narrative reports, financial reports, grant closure procedures and targets as related.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies or a relevant area. 
• A first level university degree in Project Management, International Relations or related fields with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. 

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in designing and managing grants elements of projects or programmes is required, preferably with a focus on socio-economic development. 
• Experience with administration, fund management, project management, or procurement is desirable .
• At least 3 years of demonstrated progressive experience in developing and managing relationships with bilateral and multilateral public and private partners is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in Gender mainstreaming in the public sector is desirable;
• International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) or PRINCE2 foundation is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations with regards to grant making is considered an asset.
• High proficiency with computers, and other software/ platforms related to the positions field of expertise. Good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is preferred.

• Fluency in English and Albanian is required

Contract type: Regular, Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: ICS-10 / LICA-10

• 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.