Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
Since the escalation to full-scale war in 2022, UNDP Ukraine has supported national and sub-national authorities in advancing early recovery, economic revitalization and resilience. The war has caused extensive loss of life, mass displacement, large-scale infrastructure destruction and deep socio-economic disruption, leaving millions in need of humanitarian assistance and protection while increasing exposure to poverty and economic vulnerability.
The Regional and Local Economic Development Programme (RLEDP) contributes to the UNDP Country Programme Document (2025–2029) and is implemented under the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth Portfolio. The Programme promotes inclusive, gender-responsive and sustainable local economic recovery, strengthening the resilience of war-affected communities and supporting alignment with national recovery and EU integration priorities. By 2029, the Programme aims to enhance the economic resilience of local communities through piloting and scaling integrated local economic development solutions that improve livelihoods and access to decent work, particularly for women, youth, veterans, internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups. It will expand access to finance and business development services for MSMEs, strengthen local business support ecosystems, and facilitate job creation and sustainable enterprise growth, including through green and digital transformation initiatives.
The Programme will further support modernization of vocational education and training (VET) institutions and strengthen linkages between education providers, employers and local authorities to ensure demand-driven upskilling and re-skilling. It will contribute to the adoption and implementation of inclusive economic policies and local development strategies that promote women’s economic empowerment, remove barriers to labour market participation, and foster enabling conditions for private sector development. Through pilot initiatives promoting green, circular and innovative economic models, the Programme will also strengthen institutional capacities at the sub-national level to drive long-term, sustainable and EU-aligned economic transformation.
Focusing primarily on oblast and territorial community levels, the Programme assists decentralized authorities in early economic recovery, development planning, and implementation. It advances innovative, green and inclusive governance practices; strengthens local economic ecosystems; and reinforces linkages between crisis response, SDG localization, human capital development and long-term economic transformation.
Through a portfolio-based and area-oriented approach, the Programme delivers integrated programmatic and operational interventions, including grant schemes, development financing instruments, procurement and partnership modalities. These interventions support MSME recovery and growth, livelihood restoration and skills development for vulnerable groups, institutional strengthening of local partners, and the promotion of transparent, accountable and results-based management of resources in accordance with UNDP policies and procedures.
In this context, UNDP seeks a Grants Management Associate (NPSA-7) to support the implementation and day-to-day administration of grant-making processes under RLEDP. The incumbent will contribute to the transparent administration of grant programmes, support compliance with UNDP policies and procedures, assist with risk-related tracking and reporting processes, and support capacity building of implementing partners to promote quality implementation of grants, under the supervision of the relevant grants management lead.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Grants Management Analyst, the Grants Management Associate will provide operational and technical support throughout the grants management cycle.
1) Support to Grants Cycle Management
• Assist in preparation, launch and administration of Calls for Proposals and grant selection processes.
• Support the initial screening of grant applications for completeness and compliance, in line with established procedures and under supervision.
• Support the preparation, processing and issuance of grant agreements, amendments and related correspondence, ensuring completeness of documentation.
• Maintain grants tracking tools and support accurate and timely updates in corporate systems (Quantum and internal trackers).
• Monitor implementation progress against approved workplans, budgets and performance indicators.
• Support the review of narrative and financial reports submitted by grantees for completeness and alignment with approved grant agreements, under supervision.
• Assist in organizing monitoring visits and documenting findings.
2) Support Compliance, Risk and Quality Assurance
• Support completeness and proper filing of grant documentation in line with UNDP POPP and internal SOPs.
• Support risk identification and tracking for grant portfolios.
• Assist in preparation of documentation for audits and verifications related to grants.
• Support processing of grant-related payments through preparation of supporting documentation and Note to Files.
3) Ensure Coordination and Partnerships
• Liaise with grantees, community-based organizations and civil society partners to support timely submission of required documentation and reports.
• Provide procedural and administrative support to grantees in relation to reporting and compliance requirements, in line with established UNDP procedures.
• Coordinate with Programme, Finance and Procurement teams to support timely processing of grant-related transactions.
• Support the organization of grant-related meetings, capacity development sessions and partner coordination events, including preparation of agendas, background materials and meeting records.
4) Facilitate Knowledge Management and Gender Mainstreaming
• Contribute to the systematization and documentation of lessons learned and good practices related to grant implementation under the Programme.
• Support internal knowledge sharing and dissemination of relevant grant-related information and materials.
• Assist in ensuring that gender equality and inclusion considerations are reflected in grant-related processes and documentation, in line with UNDP corporate standards.
• Promote a safe and enabling working environment in line with UNDP policies on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse and zero tolerance to misconduct.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organisation
Institutional Arrangement
Under the direct supervision of the Grants Management Analyst, the Grants Management Associate provides operational and administrative support to the implementation of the grant portfolio under RLEDP and works in close coordination with Programme and Operations units, as required.
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
| Thematic Area | Name | Definition |
| Business Management | Results-based Management | Ability to support monitoring of grant implementation against approved workplans and performance indicators; maintain tracking tools and documentation. |
| Business Management | Project Management | Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals. |
| Business Management | Risk Management | Identify and organize action around reducing,mitigating and proactively managing risks |
| Finance | Budget Management | Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets |
| 2030 Agenda: People | Gender | Gender Equality and Institutional Transformation |
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Secondary Education is required. Or
- A university degree (bachelor degree) in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Finance, Law, Social Sciences or other relevant fields will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with Bachelor’s degree) of relevant professional experience in grants management, programme/project support, finance, administration or related fields.
- Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel).
- Experience working with web-based management systems and electronic document management tools.
- Demonstrated ability to work with multiple stakeholders and manage competing priorities.
- Experience in grants management within UNDP or other international organizations.
- Experience engaging with civil society organizations and local partners. Experience working with UNDP ERP systems (Quantum) or similar financial management systems.
- Familiarity with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP).
Required Language(s) :
- Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.
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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