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Grant Management Assistant

7:16:00 PM
Background
In an effort to improve humanitarian and protection assistance to persons and communities affected by crisis and displacement, a number of innovations have been introduced over the past decade. These have been driven by a need for more cost-effective interventions as well as to more accurately reflect the needs, capacities and priorities of crisis-affected communities. One such initiative is Cash-Based interventions (CBIs) - building on the potential of markets to respond to humanitarian needs while increasing beneficiaries' dignity of choice.
Leading a consortium of NGO and UN partners, UNHCR has been allocated a grant through ECHO's Enhanced Response Capacity (ERC) facility to increase emergency preparedness and capacity to deliver multipurpose cash grants while taking into consideration the protection implications of doing so. Particularly, activities under the ERC grant will:
  1. elaborate additional processes, methodologies and operational tools to accommodate this relatively new response modality (the multipurpose cash grant); and
  2. build the evidence base and consolidating analytical, monitoring and evaluation tools to ensure humanitarian agencies both maximize the protection benefits while minimizing the potential risk of CBIs.
UNHCR's partners on this project include CaLP, various clusters and UN partners (UNOCHA, WFP, UNICEF), and key NGO partners (e.g. Oxfam, DRC, NRC, IRC, WV, Save the Children). Activities will be implemented until December 2015.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the overall guidance of the CBI Section (CBIS) within UNHCR's Division of Programme Support and Management (DPSM), the Grant Management Assistant is responsible for communication and coordination between project partners, monitoring the implementation and reporting on the achievement of planned targets and the effective and transparent management of the financial resources of the project approved by ECHO.
Key Functions
  • Communicate, coordinate and network with the consortium partners (CaLP, Oxfam, Save the Children, World Vision, IRC, DRC, NRC, WFP, UNICEF, etc.) to ensure inclusive and motivated primary actors with a shared vision and workplan.
  • Assist in drafting and concluding partner project agreements, ensure that ECHO’s Enhanced Response Capacity principles and regulations are included in the agreements and in the activities to be implemented by the partner organizations.
  • Maintain regular contact with partners for timely and sensible implementation and reporting, including on budget matters.
  • Coordinate and network with the broader cash and protection communities of practice, contributing to broader awareness of ERC-related activities to maximise synergies with complementary projects.
  • Ensure appropriate monitoring and follow up of the project including the drafting of amendments to the project/project partnership agreements if necessary.
  • Ensure appropriate reporting of activities, including consolidation and elaboration of financial and narrative reports to UNHCR and to ECHO.
  • Ensure appropriate management of the grant and provide an updated overview of the financial situation of the ECHO-related projects in accordance with UNHCR’s and ERC project cycles.
  • Design a database and input, maintain and update project budget and data related to ERC activities.
  • In consultation with CBIS in Geneva, the UNHCR office in Brussels and partners, prepare and submit for consideration the Final Report for ECHO at the end of the Project and any interim reports that may be needed
  • Address any question from ECHO in relation to the project.
During periods of low activity, the incumbent may contribute substantively to ERC activities directly implemented by UNHCR/CBIS, such as the organisation of workshops, preparation of stakeholder meetings, recruitment of consultants, etc.
Depending on workload, s/he may also be asked to contribute to other ongoing initiatives of the section.
Requirements
  • University degree in economics, finance, accounting, public or business administration, or other field relevant to the work. Master’s degree is an asset.
  • 2 to 4 years of experience in project management, preferably in project control.
  • Previous experience in donor relations, preferably ECHO.
Key competencies
  • Very strong communication and organization skills, experience working with a large group of stakeholders.
  • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office, esp. Excel.
  • Excellent written English. French an asset.
  • Flexible and ready to adapt to changing circumstances, to deliver to tight deadlines and to set own priorities.
  • Knowledge of Financial/Supply Chain, planning and budgeting applications is a great asset.
  • Knowledge of humanitarian aid and an understanding of cash-based interventions/cash transfer programming is an asset.
  • Knowledge of the humanitarian community, including donors, governments, the UN system and relevant international and regional organizations is an asset.
How to apply:
Please send your CV and letter of motivation to hqcash@unhcr.org no later than 31 August 2014. Clearly state "Grant Management Assistant" in the subject line. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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