JOB DESCRIPTION

Background

The European Union Confidence Building Measures Programme aims to increase trust between people on both sides of the Nistru river by supporting joint activities in four core areas: 1) Economic development and decent job creation for women and men, 2) Enhanced cross-river thematic cooperation between the civil society from both banks, 3) Community Development and small-scale social infrastructure support, 4) Promotion of cultural heritage.

The Advanced Capacities for Trade Project funded by Governments of Sweden and the Great Britain aims at supporting an environment of trust and cooperation on both banks of Nistru River divide through capitalizing on the opportunities offered by the DCFTA and consolidating trade ties across the river and with the EU, while supporting economic growth that benefits the most vulnerable. To this end, the project facilitated the integration of Transnistrian businesses into the export promotion mechanisms on the right bank by reducing the information gap on DCFTA, enhancing the MSME competitiveness and supporting the development of the entrepreneurship culture, with a particular focus on the vulnerable.

The overall objective of the project is to secure that men and women on both banks of the Nistru River have better livelihoods and living conditions, due to improved cross-river cooperation to access the opportunities offered by Moldova’s external trade arrangements, contributing to an environment of trust and cooperation across the post-conflict divide.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Grants Coordinator (Analyst), under the overall supervision of the Project Managers and in collaboration with other Project Analysts and Project Associates, will provide high-quality expertise and coordination of granting processes within the incumbent projects. The Coordinator (Analyst) will ensure the provision of development services and products (commensurate with the scope of the project) of the highest quality and standards. All the work will be based on an appreciation of human rights and gender equality.

The Grants Coordinator (Analyst) will:

• Design activities for the timely and efficient delivery of outputs and products, leading to the achievement of expected results and ensure full compliance of all the actions with UNDP policies and procedures.
• Design and carry out capacity building activities for potential grants’ applicants to strengthen their institutional capacities to receipt and implement grants in line with UNDP procedures;
• Design and coordinate a comprehensive granting plan and the selection methodology tailored to the grant calls provided by the respective project documents;
• Guide and coordinate applicants throughout the application process, analysing and fostering efficiency and clarity in their submissions;
• Perform, along with the team, the evaluation and selection process, contributing his/her expertise to identify the most promising grant recipients;
• Analyse, develop, review, implement, and continually monitor the project”s grant allocation plan. Utilize appropriate feedback mechanisms and monitoring tools to ensure efficient resource allocation;
• Develop work-plans, periodic narrative progress reports (on a quarterly and mid-year, or more often as required by the project document), and expenditure status reports to the Project Board and UNDP Country Office;
• Apply UNDP programming tools and policies as explained in the Results Management Guide. Keep abreast of UNDP programming practices and maintain an optimum level of knowledge through continuous learning.
• In collaboration with the relevant administrative project personnel be responsible for compliant, effective and efficient utilization of the financial resources of the
• Project, including budgeting and budget revisions, as well as expenditure tracking and reporting;
• Along with other team members, be in charge of developing and maintaining a monitoring system to ensure effective information sharing, provision of feedback and elaboration of top-quality progress reports; ensure appropriate visibility of activities in mass media and with stakeholders;
• Be in charge of, plan and implement the evaluation related activities of the grants allocated to the respective CSOs;
• Draft and translate relevant correspondence as required;
• Design and lead activities in a designated area(s) of the project’s intervention;
• Perform any other duties connected directly with the implementation of the Project requested by the supervisor.

Institutional Arrangement

The Grants Coordinator (Analyst) will work under the guidance of the Project Managers (EU CBM and Ad Trade) andin close collaboration with the programme, operations, communications and other project teams in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to the resolution of complex programme/project-related issues and information delivery. The Grants Coordinator (Analyst) will also collaborate with other UN projects and other development partners and will engage in continuous collaboration with Project personnel on the delivery of joint initiatives and activities. The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies and strategies, as well as implementation of effective internal control systems.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results – LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively – LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously – LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility – LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination – LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner – LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion – LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business Direction & Strategy – Strategic Thinking

• Develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s mission and objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, opportunities and potential risks; link the general vision to reality on the ground to create tangible targeted solutions; learn from a variety of sources to anticipate and effectively respond to both current and future trends; demonstrate foresight.

Business Direction & Strategy – Negotiation and Influence

• Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Development – Knowledge Facilitation

• Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
• Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business Management – Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management – Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership Management – Relationship Management

• Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Communications – Social Media Management

• Ability to represent and promote the UNDP brand in virtual communities and networks.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree (master”s degree or equivalent) in development sciences, finances, business administration or public administration, or another relevant field is required; OR
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Applicants with a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant practical experience related to design, management and implementation of project-based activities, preferably related to the coordination and management of grants.

Required skills:

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired skills:

• At least (1) one assignment related to the coordination and monitoring of grant applicants.
• Demonstrated experience applying national accounting standards and submitting required financial reports
• Demonstrated experience to communicate well and interact with key partners in project implementation and delivery is an advantage.
• Previous experience in development projects or related work for a donor organization, governmental institutions, NGO or private sector /consulting firm or previous experience with UN agencies.
• Demonstrated experience in project-level or state/national-level monitoring and evaluation system implementation is an asset.
• Ability to perform and deliver expected results in a fast-paced working environment.

Required Language(s):

• Fluency in English and Romanian is required.
• Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Russian, Romani, Gagauzian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian and sign language, is an asset.

Professional Certificates:

• Additional training and/or certification in financial management and/or accounting would be an advantage.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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