Grant Management Officer

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background information – Job-specific

The “EU Civil Society Facility in Central Asia” project aims to enhance the participation and engagement of Central Asian CSOs in regional dialogues with each other, as well as the EU. This will include capacity development to CSOs to improve their competencies, including helping ensure that they have the abilities to deliver their work in line with the respective legislation, including regarding reporting and audit management capabilities.

Additionally, the project focuses on engaging young leaders, building on the momentum of the Young Voices of Central Asia Forum held in Samarkand in 2022. This will be done by enhancing the capacities of young leaders through dedicated training and knowledge exchange sessions, with focus on topics that are critical for sustainable development, including environment and digitalization.

UNOPS will develop and manage a Small Grants Facility for CSOs to support their work under its grants management framework. Such support will accordingly be provided through UNOPS-managed processes under UN/UNOPS rules and regulations, subject to issuance of call for proposals, technical and financial evaluation results, capacity assessments, reviews and approvals under UNOPS’ Delegation of Authority framework. Furthermore, support will only be provided to legal entities registered under the respective national laws in the Central Asia region. It is expected to provide a total of 30 grants of an average amount of 15,000 USD/each being for the entire project implementation period. The PMT will ensure that efforts are made to further target women-led CSOs to be included in this initiative.

Overall, the specifics of grants methodology and selection approach will be designed under UNOPS’ rules in consultation with the EU and the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR).

The project is carried out in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). UNOPS is responsible for the overall project management of the project, including monitoring and reporting to the EUD, and coordinating project activities under a dedicated project team with other implementing partners and relevant stakeholders.

• A Bachelor's Degree preferably  in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Social Science, Development Studies, Finance, or any other related fields is required or

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Social Science, Development Studies, Finance, or any other related fields is an added advantage.

• At least five (5) years of experience in project support, operations support, or project management out of which 3 years in grant management is required 

Desirable experience

• Experience working with civil society is desired.

• Demonstrable experience with partnership management and communication.

• Experience working in the development and humanitarian sector/working with UN, Donors, NGOs is desired.

• Demonstrated ability to conduct financial and budget analysis. 

• 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)

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete)  in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.