Grant Management & Finance Coordinator
About UNDP & The Global Disability Fund (GDF)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works globally to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities. Within UNDP, the Global Disability Fund (GDF) (formerly UNPRPD) is a multi-partner trust fund dedicated to advancing disability-inclusive development globally. It supports the implementation of the CRPD and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing technical assistance, policy guidance, and financial support to governments, UN agencies, civil society, and businesses. The GDF is hosted within the UNDP Governance team in the Bureau of Policy and Programme Support (BPPS).
Position Purpose (Job Summary)
The Global Disability Fund (GDF) is seeking a highly qualified Grant Management & Finance Coordinator to lead its end-to-end grant management and financial oversight. This P4 level role, based in New York, ensures effective proposal development, donor compliance, financial governance, and risk management in alignment with the 2025–2030 GDF Strategy, which advances disability-inclusive development and global partnerships. The Coordinator will oversee grant lifecycle management, foster strong grant accountability and financial stewardship in a complex multi-stakeholder environment, ensuring funding is secured, allocated efficiently, and aligned with disability inclusion priorities. The ideal candidate brings expertise in international development, grant and financial management, pooled funding, and multi-stakeholder governance. This position requires a strategic professional adept at navigating complex funding landscapes and reports to the Head of the GDF Secretariat.
Background
The GDF Secretariat operates in accordance with its own Strategic Plan and agreed annual work plan approved by its Steering Committee. As GDF expands its strategic reach and portfolio, it is essential to ensure that its impact, effectiveness, and accountability are continuously monitored and evaluated. The Grant Management & Finance function within the UN Global Disability Fund MPTF operates in accordance with UN financial regulations, donor requirements, and the 2025–2030 Strategy. The function has been strengthened to address the increasing scale and complexity of programmes and the growing diversity of the donor base. The Grant Management & Finance Coordinator role ensures enhanced financial oversight, risk management, and policy compliance.
UNDP provides integrated programmatic, policy and financing solutions to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Crisis Bureau (CB) are key anchors of UNDP's Global Policy Network (GPN).
Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinate Proposals (pre-Grant)
- Manage relationship with the Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) Office on grant-related financial and administrative matters.
- Develop Terms of Reference (TOR) for proposals and liaise with the technical team to ensure alignment with programme goals.
- Manage end-to-end planning, launch, and implementation of funding rounds for country programmes in alignment with the GDF Strategy.
- Launch and manage the end-to-end proposal submission process, securing necessary approvals from MPTF and programme committees.
- Oversee due diligence on non UN entities before grant allocations.
- Ensure proposals align with donor requirements and UNDP financial and operational policies.
- Input into programme design in collaboration with the technical team to align funding with strategic objectives.
- Manage contract drafting and negotiations, guiding agreements through internal approval processes.
- Mediate contract review/negotiations with third parties to ensure alignment with funding and programme needs.
- Liaise with the UN Country Teams on financial and administrative issues related to grant development.
- Maintain working knowledge of the fund agreement process (for both contracts and grants), ensuring proper template usage.
- Support the engagement with donors and the development of proposals for resource mobilization.
Manage End-to-End Grant Management Lifecycle (post-Grant)
- Grant Financial and Administrative Management: Manage all financial and administrative aspects of grants, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and monitoring. Monitor grant disbursements and fund utilization including preparing variance and risk analysis. Liaise with UN Country Teams on related matters.
- Monitoring and Reporting: Develop and maintain a comprehensive dashboard. Oversee annual reporting from countries. Provide weekly updates to Head of GDF Secretariat. Ensure timely responses to financial inquiries.
- Programme Adjustments and Closure: Coordinate grant extensions and cost modifications. Oversee programme closures. Collaborate with MPTF on contract amendments.
Ensure Governance and Financial Compliance of Grant management
- Ensure adherence to GDF governance processes and MPTF financial rules.
- Provide ongoing financial guidance to Technical Teams.
- Monitor programme grant budgets and expenditures.
- Prepare financial analysis and forecasts.
- Advise grantees on risk mitigation strategies.
Donor liaison and Financial Updates
- Donor Engagement: Monitor use of donor funds, coordinate financial audits, support donor engagement strategies.
- Supporting resource mobilization: Identify funding opportunities, prepare financial proposals and investment cases.
- Work closely with grantees on financial reporting. Ensure timely submission of financial reports.
- Support annual and interim financial reviews of country-level grants.
Input for Donor Proposals & Additional Funding
- Support preparation of donor proposals, ensuring alignment with GDF’s strategy.
- Develop detailed budgets and financial projections for new proposals.
- Provide financial modeling and scenario analysis.
- Track financial commitments from donors.
- Support the Fund’s Global Progress Report, leading the financial section.
Team Capacity Building
- Provide financial guidance to Technical teams.
- Provide strategic oversight and mentorship to the Finance Specialist.
- Support capacity building by guiding the Finance Specialist in grant financial management.
Competencies
Core Competencies: Achieve Results, Think Innovatively, Learn Continuously, Adapt with Agility, Act with Determination, Engage and Partner, Enable Diversity and Inclusion (Level 3 for this P4 role - details on UNDP site).
People Management Competencies: (Refer to UNDP site for details).
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: System Thinking, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Project Management, Financial reporting and analysis, Financial risk management, Integration within the UN.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university (Master’s degree) in International Development, International Relations, Public Administration, Public Policy, Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field OR
- A relevant first-level university (Bachelor’s degree) in a relevant field AND two additional years of relevant work experience is required.
Experience:
- Minimum seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in funding grants management and multi-stakeholders’ initiatives on disability inclusion design and implementation including a minimum 5 years of management responsibility in financial oversight, compliance, and risk management in a multi-stakeholder development setting.
- Hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development programs on human rights issues with a strong understanding of disability inclusion applied to the development context.
- Sound knowledge of pooled funding mechanism rules and regulations as well as UNDG guidance on joint programming.
- Proven experience in developing MPTFs strategic and financial planning.
- Proven experience in budget planning and monitoring of pooled funds.
- Experience in managing donors’ relations and strategic resource mobilization for MPTFs.
- Sound knowledge of UNDP/MPTFO financial rules, donor requirements, and policy frameworks.
Desirable:
- Demonstrated expertise in conducting grant monitoring, financial compliance and developing risk mitigation strategies.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and provide strategic recommendations.
Language:
- Proficiency in English is required.
- Knowledge of other UN languages is a strong asset.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Probation: For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA) of more than one year, continuation beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon successful completion of a probationary period.
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HOW TO APPLY
Posting Date: May 30, 2025, 05:00 PM (EDT)
Application Deadline: June 14, 2025, 06:59 AM (EDT).
Interested candidates who meet the requirements should apply via the UNDP careers portal using the link below.
