Grant Support is defined in UNOPS policies as “a UNOPS project activity, which is outside the framework of procurement activities, and is undertaken by way of grants, credits or loans carried out through an implementing partner.” UNOPS manages grant support projects and programmes, which can be small or large.
This involves:
Selecting implementing partners using various methodologies.
Disbursing and monitoring grants and funding across diverse contexts.
Ensuring resources are spent transparently and efficiently, aligning with partner (donor) objectives.
Building the capacity of UNOPS implementing partners for the efficient and responsible use of grants and funding.
The Grant Support Specialist is a critical role within IPMG, focused on strengthening the organization’s grant support policy and operational framework. This position serves as a technical advisor, trainer/coach and coordinator, ensuring that grant support-related activities—including credits, loans, and humanitarian rapid response—are delivered with high integrity and transparency in alignment with partner (donor) objectives. The specialist acts as a bridge between high-level policy and field-level execution, with a mission to build the capacity of UNOPS personnel and acts as the steward of the organization’s digital grant management system, Grant+.
***This vacancy is looking to fill a full-time open-ended position. However, as the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an International Individual Contractor Agreement, UNOPS may also use the results of this recruitment process to offer a full-time short-term, or a retainer (contract for intermittent work, subject to budget availability and business needs) contract.
***This position may either be office-based in Copenhagen, Denmark or home-based in the successful candidate’s place of residence. The duty station is to be agreed upon finalization of the recruitment process in accordance with business needs and the candidate’s individual circumstances. While this role offers the flexibility of home-based work, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain at least partial overlap with HQ Copenhagen working hours.
The Grant Support Specialist independently manages projects/programs and adapts existing policies to meet emerging needs in the area of grant support, ensuring the organization’s grant support policy and operational framework are strengthened.
1. Policy, Guidance, and Compliance
Contribute to the development and revision of UNOPS grant support policies, processes, tools, templates, and guidance materials.
Contribute to the development and implementation of emerging grant support modalities (e.g., results-based financing, cash and voucher assistance, credits, loans, and humanitarian rapid response).
Provide proactive, interdisciplinary support to projects/programmes to ensure they can deliver within the grant support policy, such as, but not exclusive to:
Review partner (donor) agreements that involve grant support activities and provide feedback for improvement.
Evaluate the quality of grant support standard operating procedures, calls for proposals, results frameworks, capacity assessments, and other grant support-related documents, tools, and templates and coach personnel in quality assurance and improvement.
Assist projects/programmes in applying due diligence requirements, specifically implementing the Capacity Assessment of Implementing Partners Requirements and the Implementing Partner Protocol on Protection of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
Provide technical advice on routine monitoring of implementing partners, including appropriate monitoring tools, and guidance on narrative, data and financial reporting.
Provide technical advice on capacity improvement support to implementing partners and/or on the development of capacity improvement plans based on capacity assessment results.
Provide technical advice on the development of standard operating procedures related to tailored selection methodologies.
2. Digital Solutions and Data Analysis
Coordinate the improvement and adoption of Grant+ (UNOPS grant management system) with the UNOPS Information and Technology Group (ITG) and project/programme teams.
Coordinate all grant support digital solutions with ITG and IPMG, and promote the use of artificial intelligence in UNOPS grant support. In collaboration with relevant business units, document business processes and system requirements for grant support of digital solutions.
Work with the Finance Group to develop and refine financial management and reporting processes and tools for grant support, and support the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).
Conduct quality assurance of IPMG grant support reports and data, and provide inputs into audits and evaluations.
Coordinate the analysis of results, risks, and needs to inform corporate controls and oversight of grant support, with a focus on fragile states and/or humanitarian contexts.
3. Capacity Building and Training
Upon request from UNOPS Offices, train and coach UNOPS personnel and/or implementing partners on UNOPS grant support policy, procedures, and Grant+ at regional, country, and local levels.
Develop content for both online and in-person corporate training related to grant support, Grant+ and implementing partner management.
Mentor and coach UNOPS Offices on documenting and analysing compliance with the grant support policy and Grant+.
4. Communications and Knowledge Management
In collaboration with colleagues, contribute to documenting UNOPS’ emerging, promising, and good practices in grant support and implementing partner management.
Work with communications personnel to produce grant support project/programme and implementing partner profiles, success stories, and social media content.
Engage with UN interagency working groups on implementing partners, grants, and funding, and execute joint work plans.
Guide UNOPS grant support projects and programmes in organizing documentation for evaluations and audits.
Support other knowledge management initiatives across the organization related to grant support, as requested.
