Country Fund Portfolio Specialist

Job categories Project Management

Vacancy code VA/2022/B5149/23611

Level ICS-10

Department/office ECR, GVA, Sanitation and Hygiene Fund (SHF)

Duty station Dakar, Senegal

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-2

Duration Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

Application period 25-Mar-2022 to 21-Apr-2022

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

This vacancy has been cancelled.

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Background Information - Job-specific

The Sanitation and Hygiene Fund is a UNOPS Trust Fund committed to saving lives and improving the well being of people by improving access to sanitation, hygiene and menstrual health hygiene. The Fund will invest in country led programmes to accelerate progress and sustainable impact toward the achievement of SDG 6.2.

The Fund will maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of international development assistance and national investment. Staff at the Fund manage grants and other financial modalities, coordinate with partners,support countries, monitor and evaluate results, report on progress, manage donor relations and raise funds.

At the core of the new architecture is a country funding model designed to be an efficient and effective mechanism that can operate at scale and deliver impact and supported by a suite of policies that define how funding is to be invested. The SHF uses development and impact innovative finance mechanisms, including co-financing by recipient countries, to secure sustainable funding and the long term sustainability of its programs.

The SHF is looking for mission-oriented, collaborative, open minded and flexible candidates who are passionate about global development.

Functional Responsibilities

Role of the Country Fund Portfolio Specialist Reporting to the Country Fund Port...

Role of the Country Fund Portfolio Specialist

Reporting to the Country Fund Portfolio Manager, the Country Fund Portfolio Specialist is responsible for supporting the implementation of SHF’s funding application and programme cycle, including allocation and implementation oversight in the portfolio of assigned countries.

The Country Fund Portfolio Specialist delivers timely integrated, proactive support, identifies risk and elevates where necessary, to secure countries’ access to, and effective/efficient use of, SHF resources to achieve tangible results.

Functional responsibilities

A. Funding application

Within the portfolio of assigned countries:

Coordinate the compilation and analysis of complex data and qualitative information as required to support eligibility and prioritisation determinations per the SHF policy.
Draft relevant communications to countries, for example regarding eligibility status, allocation, and transition.
Prepare materials required (including managing appropriate translations) for SHF eligible countries to submit clear applications in line with SHF strategy and policies.
Manage timely responses to questions submitted by applicants regarding the funding process by liaising as needed across SHF teams.
Ensure the timely compilation of all materials, including the SHF eligibility list for publication on the SHF website.
Ensure relevant sections of the SHF website are up to date with the most current information for stakeholders on all aspects of the SHF funding processes.
Prepare relevant communications to national governments regarding co-financing and leveraging requirements.
Monitor and provide solutions for resolving SHF funding/co-financing issues arising on a country-by-country basis, escalating where required.
Track co-financing requirements for clear and transparent documentation.
Responsible for risk identification, manage through implementation of the SHF risk register(s) and manage or elevate appropriately.
Prepare and maintain country records, status and progress trackers, including for audit but also for decision making purposes.

B. Support to country application and review

Act as the focal point for preparing documentation required for application review processes for countries within the assigned portfolio, including applicant materials.

C. Grant management

Within the portfolio of assigned countries:

Provide technical advice with the delivery of all SHF pre-financing activities in eligible countries leading to the development of high quality investment cases and bankable projects.
Facilitate, coordinate and support all steps of the SHF funding process for grants and other types of investments (application, funding decision, disbursement, monitoring, renewal).
Coordinate and ensure the development of high quality and country-specific grant documents.
Deliver efficient and proactive coordination of all SHF processes with a country, including clear and comprehensive communications consistent with SHF strategy and policies.
Review and analyse key documentation from countries or partners; ensuring compliance with policies, requirements, agreed timelines, formats and quality standards.
Manage systems for maintaining organized documentation of all country correspondence.
Work in collaboration with the Finance Unit to advise on disbursements to SHF recipients.

D. Knowledge management, partnerships and innovation

Act as the focal point for capturing feedback and ensuring that lessons learned across countries, technical partners and other teams inform updated application materials.
Represent SHF in meetings and dialogue with relevant finance and development partners in the region, including the African Development Bank, financing organizations and UN agencies, for the purpose of gathering intelligence and establishing partnerships.
Manage the development and introduction of innovation to ensure SHF is continually incorporating best practice approaches.

This position is expected to travel frequently around the region and occasionally outside the region.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

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

a. Education Advanced university degree preferably in Business Administration,...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: Interna...

Additional Considerations

Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time Applications ...

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful imp...

This vacancy has been cancelled.

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APPLICATION TIPS

How to send a good application:

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

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.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.