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. To date, 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 Coordination Specialist is responsible for (1) coordinating the UNTF to EVAW’s operational side of the Grant-making Programme to ensure compliance with UNTF timelines, requirements and quality standards; (2) coordinating with national partners and other stakeholders in all operational aspects related to grant-giving and grant selection processes; (3) managing and maintaining grants management systems utilized by applicants and grantees to report on their projects to the UN Trust Fund; and (4) supporting activities at the UNTF-EVAW and UN Women corporate level as requested.

Key Functions and Accountabilities:

1. Manage and maintain Grants Management Systems (GMS) utilized by applicants and grantees to report on their projects to the UN Trust Fund:

• Coordinate the smooth operation and maintenance of the GMS, ensuring functionality and troubleshooting issues.
• Manage system redesign and enhancements, including quality assurance and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) in English, French, and Spanish.
• Oversee capacity development activities related to all type of system users, including webinars, guidance materials, in person and online training.
• Maintain and update system user guides and ensure timely updates of grant-related documentation.
• Coordinate the system set-up for the new grant-making cycle, evaluate system feasibility, and oversee the implementation of changes to the system configuration.

2. Coordinate end-to end operational aspects of the Grant-making Programme:

• Coordinate the implementation of operational components of the Grant-Making Programme in line with the 2021–2025 UNTF Strategic Plan and Call for Proposals timelines.
• Coordinate the recruitment and payments for the Technical Review Group.
• Oversee and manage budgeting and expenditure tracking of the operational elements related to the Call for Proposals.
• Coordinate the Partner Agreement process in compliance with UN Women rules.
• Oversee fund allocation and disbursement to new grantees within the current grant cycle.
• Maintain high-quality documentation for all operational aspects and lead periodic process evaluations to enhance efficiency.
• Prepare finance and operations related documentation for the annual Call for Proposal.
• Coordinate with national partners and other stakeholders in all operational aspects related to grant-giving and grant selection processes.
• Coordinate operational and system-related guidance to grant applicants, including webinars, FAQs, and guidance materials.
• Facilitate NGO capacity assessment documentation for pre-selected applicants and liaise with UN Women offices to address identified capacity gaps.
• Review and analyze NGO assessment results to ensure timely and accurate processing.

3. The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

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 coordination and programme implementation skills.
• Strong budget and finance skills.
• Strong knowledge of Results Based Management.
• Ability to synthesize program performance data and produce analytical reports in order to inform management and strategic decision-making.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Good knowledge of UN programme management system.

Recruitment Qualifications:

Education and certification:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Political Science, Development, Public Administration, Gender Studies 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.
• A project/programme management certification would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience at the national or international level in managing complex and multi-component programme interventions with national partners, related to Grant-making and Operations is required.
• Experience in coordinating, implementing, monitoring and evaluating development programmes and projects is required.
• Experience in Grants Management is required.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable (Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, or Russian).

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.)

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements