Background:
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
Established by UN General Assembly Resolution 50/166 in 1996, the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) is the first and remains the only global UN funding mechanism dedicated exclusively to providing direct grants to civil society organizations working to prevent and end all forms of violence against women and girls (EVAW/G). Since 2010, UN Women has administered the UN Trust Fund on behalf of the UN system, providing a strong institutional foundation and field support through a global infrastructure of country and regional offices.
With nearly three decades of experience, the UN Trust Fund has become a key global mechanism for funding initiatives that aim to eliminate violence against women and girls. It plays a critical role in fostering collaboration across governments, UN agencies, and civil society to address the root causes and consequences of violence, aligning its work with broader international policies and frameworks. The UN Trust Fund focuses on providing long-term grants to organizations that work in diverse contexts, particularly those representing marginalized groups, such as indigenous women, women living with disabilities, and women from rural or conflict-affected areas. Its investments are survivor-centered and aim to have sustainable, long-term impacts. Since 1997, the UN Trust Fund has funded over 700 initiatives in over 140 countries and territories, significantly contributing to global efforts to end violence against women and girls.
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Capacity Development and Grants Operations Manager, the Grants Operations Specialist guides the UN Trust Fund to EVAW (UNTF) Operations Team and fosters collaboration within the UNTF micro-teams with a client-oriented approach. The Grants Operations Specialist works in close collaboration with programme teams, providing close guidance to programme staff who perform adjunct operations functions, ensuring that such staff are knowledgeable of rules and procedures governing programme finances, donor reporting, and personnel. She/he also works in collaboration with operations staff in other UN Agencies, UN Women Regional Office and HQ staff and UNTF granteess to successfully deliver operations services.
Key Functions and Accountabilities:
1. Manage the operations of the UN Trust Fund to EVAW
Support the Capacity Development and Grants Operations Manager to implement team workplans and monitor progress against performance benchmarks. Participate in review meetings and assess the managerial and operational capacities of grantees in collaboration with the grants programme team. Manage business process mapping and establish internal standard operating procedures in all areas of the Operations Team’s and Unit’s functions. Manage the implementation of corporate, budget, financial, procurement, and HR policies and systems and ensure adequate training of staff and project personnel on these issues. Ensure a continuous and up-to-date flow of information between the UNTF and COs/MCOs/ROs and HQ. Support the Capacity Development and Operations Manager in overseeing all operations activities, including finance, human resources, procurement, transport, IT, security, administration and ensure they follow UN Trust Fund and UN Women rules, regulations, policies and procedures. Manage Finance and Programme associates in the Operations Team, including finalizing performance plans and evaluation standards, conducting performance assessments and providing feedback and coaching. Foster a collaborative and results-oriented team environment, promoting professional development and capacity building2. Oversee planning, expenditure tracking and auditing of financial resources
Ensure the effective allocation and use of the UN Trust Fund Secretariat’s financial resources. Lead the preparation and implementation of the Secretariat’s budget in alignment with strategic priorities. Apply rigorous financial controls to uphold compliance with UN Women’s regulations. Provide inputs and support during the preparation of financial reports for stakeholders. Monitor adherence to the Internal Control Framework, Delegation of Authority, and other organizational policies3. Manage the Financial and Operational Oversight of UNTF Grantee
Oversee the financial and operational management of UNTF grantees and the UNTF unit, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with grantee partner agreements. Review and provide feedback on applicant budgets prior to grant approval and assess completed NGO implementing partner forms for compliance. Manage grants operations by conducting timely reviews of advance and liquidation packages and ensuring accurate setup and maintenance in the Quantum system. Lead business process mapping efforts and establish comprehensive internal standard operating procedures for grants operations and financial management. Actively contribute to process optimization to improve grantee support mechanisms and strengthen accountability measures. Facilitate operational and financial training sessions for grantees to promote compliance, strengthen reporting standards, and build organizational capacity. Ensure risk management matrices for all relevant grantees are updated on time and in compliance with UNTF and UN Women guidance. Oversee the impartial, risk-based audit cycles for grantees in collaboration with the Audit Finance Analyst as well as other audit requests received by the Unit.4. Oversee information and communications technology (ICT) management
Oversee the implementation of ICT systems in collaboration with the Project Coordination Specialist. Ensure staff have access to Quantum functionality for improved business results and improved client services. Mange maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries.5. Serve as the focal point for security issues and ensure safety and security of staff
Brief supervisor and UN Women personnel on security and safety matters and disseminate relevant information as advised by UNDSS, brief UN Women visitors on security. Ensure full security and safety compliance with the UN and UN Women regulations and processes. Liaise and work closely with Country Security Specialist, Regional Security Specialists and Global Security Advisor across all UNTF Hubs. Ensure that personnel request appropriate security clearance for travel. Develop and maintain Business Continuity Plan.6. Support Knowledge Sharing and Inter-agency Collaboration
Participate in inter-agency operational initiatives to promote UN Women’s interests and enhance operational synergies. Facilitate the exchange of operational best practices and lessons learned across country offices. Contribute to the development of training and capacity-building resources for internal and external stakeholders.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the UNTF and the Organization.
Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: The incumbent will be responsible to manage six (6) Finance and Programme Associates (G staff/consultants) of the Operations team.
Competencies :
Core Values:
Integrity; Professionalism; Respect for Diversity.Core Competencies:
Awareness and Sensitivity Regarding Gender Issues; Accountability; Creative Problem Solving; Effective Communication; Inclusive Collaboration; Stakeholder Engagement; Leading by Example.Please visit this link for more information on UN Women’s Values and Competencies Framework:
Functional Competencies:
Strong knowledge of operation, finance, procurement, human resources, ICT, and security systems and processes, particularly in the UN system is an asset; Ability to provide advice and support; Ability to lead formulation and monitoring of management projects; Ability to handle confidential information Good negotiating skills Strong IT skills.Recruitment Qualifications:
Education and Certification::
Master’s degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, HR, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.Experience:
At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level, in office management, operations or finance; Experience in leading a team is required; Experience in the financial management of grants is desirable: Experience in working in a computer environment using multiple office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and ERP systems, preferably Oracle Cloud is required; Professional background in programming/ projects management is desirable. Experience in the UN system is desirable.Languages:
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).Statements:
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
Diversity and inclusion:
At UN Women, we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. UN Women recruits, employs, trains, compensates, and promotes regardless of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, national origin, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, competence, integrity and organizational need.
If you need any reasonable accommodation to support your participation in the recruitment and selection process, please include this information in your application.
UN Women has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UN Women, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to UN Women’s policies and procedures and the standards of conduct expected of UN Women personnel and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. (Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.)
Note: Applicants must ensure that all sections of the application form, including the sections on education and employment history, are completed. If all sections are not completed the application may be disqualified from the recruitment and selection process.