Job Description
The salary range for this position is $101,000 to $131,000.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
As a strategic partner of the United Nations, the United Nations Foundation brings together fresh thinking and diverse voices around innovative ideas to drive progress and tackle problems. Sometimes we work behind-the-scenes, shaping negotiations and connecting experts, advocates and decision-makers. Other times we drive public awareness and involvement through communications, campaigns, and convenings. Over the years we’ve developed a diverse and dynamic portfolio of capabilities, tools, and platforms to help the UN build a better world for everyone, everywhere.
JOB SUMMARY
The Director, Agreements & Accountability Partnership (AAP) serves as the Managing Director’s principal deputy and the operational lead.
The Director will manage the day-to-day operations of the AAP team, including agreement review, staff supervision, system improvements, and cross-functional collaboration. Working in close coordination with the Managing Director, the Director will identify, propose, and implement administrative systems to enhance efficiency, compliance, and user experience across the organization. The Director will collaborate with the Managing Director, AAP, and the Chief Operating Officer to advance organizational integrity and drive the team’s theory of impact by deepening partnerships across the organization, improving systems and processes, and building a robust community of practice.
The Director will report to the Managing Director, AAP with a dotted line to the Chief Operating Officer.
The position is based in Washington, DC (hybrid schedule).
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Agreements
- Guide the day-to-day processes surrounding review of contracts and agreements for the organization. As necessary, be a secondary reviewer of agreements
- Provide technical backing around the negotiation of agreements to minimize organizational risk and ensure compliance
- Serve as the initial focal point for agreements with complex issues and non-standard terms. Use judgment to advance said agreements for discussion or additional review with the Managing Director
- Cultivate and maintain partnerships with internal peers to provide technical assistance and guidance on issues pertaining to organizational agreements, including but not limited to standard clauses, organizational practices, procurement, and applicable laws and regulations
- Contextualize contract and agreement terms for staff so that they understand potential implications and risks
- Contribute to and/or lead on the execution of the accountability-partnership triangle to include frequent meetings between the appropriate Agreements, Finance or Operational, and Program team members to ensure a shared understanding and holistic approach to the agreement life cycle
- Lead in the development and implementation of all contracting trainings, both new hire, subject matter, and team focused
Innovation and Systems Development
- Manage a library of templates for all contracts and agreements used by the organization and the various alliances and initiatives. Work with the Managing Director on the drafting of customized templates and alternative language, as needed
- Manage innovations for the AAP team, by identifying, proposing and implementing new technologies, templates, and process improvements
- Champion technology adoption and process automation tools that enhance efficiency and compliance within the agreement process, including Salesforce and related systems
- Conduct regular assessments of AAP systems and tools to ensure they remain efficient and user-friendly
- Pilot and evaluate new systems under the Managing Director’s direction, ensuring alignment with organizational readiness and sustainability
Organizational Integrity
- Confirm adherence to the day-to-day application of both contracting and organizational policies, practices and procedures
- Identify potential risks as they arise and propose solutions to mitigate risk, elevating more complex situations, issues and questions to the Managing Director to develop and/or align on approach
- Assist with ad hoc projects, such as documenting continuity of operations practices and internal reviews on pan-organizational compliance functionality
- Provide support around the Organization’s due diligence process and responds to due diligence and compliance questions as applicable.
- Oversee the maintenance of all reference documents
- Develop and deliver periodic internal trainings and resources that strengthen staff understanding of contracting principles, compliance expectations, and integrity standards
Team Management
- Oversee and manage members of the Agreements & Accountability Partnership team, providing guidance, mentorship, and direction regarding workloads and prioritization to ensure smooth working relationships/communication with Alliances/teams · Identify, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) for the Agreements and Accountability Partnership team, including agreement turnaround times, review accuracy, and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Ensure back-up coverage for contract review and due diligence is in place during high-volume periods, vacations, and other absences
- Oversee performance management and professional development of direct reports.
- Other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Director, Agreements & Accountability Partnership (AAP) is a supervisory role.
EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION and/or EXPERIENCE
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required
- Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred
- 8-10 years of progressive experience in a related field, preferably in agreement and grant management, nonprofit management or operations. Previous experience in an international context helpful but not required.
- Experience implementing or optimizing digital tools that support contract management, compliance, or performance tracking is highly preferred . Knowledge of Salesforce as an agreements platform helpful but not required.
- Must be comfortable working in a complex system that meets risk with a solutions-oriented outlook and bring a background in elevating overall organizational performance through innovation and creativity.
- Demonstrated ability to contextualize complex language to real-world examples and advise multiple stakeholders in a diplomatic manner
- Outstanding interpersonal skills, with the demonstrated ability to work effectively at all levels of the organization; collaborative and inclusive, relationship builder.
- Demonstrated ability to drive projects from inception to implementation with a keen eye to detail
COMPETENCIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must demonstrate the professional behaviors and core competencies outlined below.
- Must be comfortable working in a complex system with a solutions-oriented outlook, bringing innovation and creativity to organizational performance
- Outstanding interpersonal skills; collaborative, inclusive, and effective relationship-builder at all levels of the organization.
- Ability to drive projects from inception to implementation with strong attention to detail.
- Ability to develop, maintain, and enjoy effective working relationships with people from diverse organizations and areas of expertise.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Flexibility and a team-player mindset.
DISABILITY SPECIFICATIONS
The United National Foundation will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.
The United Nations Foundation is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
BENEFITS AND COMPENSATION
For full-time, U.S. benefit eligible employees, UNF offers an excellent range of benefits, including:
- a choice between two health plans through UnitedHealthcare (PPO or HDHP with HSA)
- dental insurance
- vision insurance
- flexible spending accounts
- 403b retirement savings plan with a generous matching contribution
- group term and supplemental life insurance
- short-term disability
- long-term disability
- back-up care
- employee assistance program
Additionally, all benefit eligible employees have 12 paid holidays, 20 vacation days, 10 sick days, 3 personal days, and 8 weeks of family leave care.
