Grant Support Management Specialist

Grant Support Management Specialist | UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Grant Support Management Specialist

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Remote | Copenhagen International ICSC-10 level Speaks English, French, Spanish

Application deadline: April 08, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The Grant Support Management Specialist at UNOPS plays a crucial role in shaping the organization's grant support framework and ensuring effective resource management. This position involves policy development, digital solutions implementation, and capacity building initiatives. The specialist will manage grant support projects, ensuring transparency and alignment with donor objectives while acting as a technical advisor and trainer. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to enhance grant management processes and support the achievement of sustainable development goals.

Candidate Requirements:

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in relevant fields

5-7 years of experience in grant support/management

Skilled in capacity building and training

Advanced proficiency in digital grant management systems

Experience in managing grants in fragile states

Fluent in English; Spanish and French desirable

General Information

Position Title

Grant Support Management Specialist

Job Category

Infrastructure and Project Management

Duty Station(s)

Copenhagen

Seniority Level

Mid Level

ICS Level

ICS 10

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 2

Posting Start Date

18-Mar-2026

Posting End Date

08-Apr-2026

Duration

Ongoing subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to shape UNOPS' grant support framework and contribute to the effective and transparent management of resources in diverse contexts. The position offers exposure to high-level policy development, digital solutions implementation, and capacity building initiatives, providing a platform to make a significant impact on UNOPS' operational effectiveness and partner relations.

About the Group

The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) provides policy, standards guidance and support in three UNOPS service lines of Project Management, Infrastructure and Financial Management Services (Grant Support and Fund Management). IPMG leads the design and implementation of a project, programme and portfolio management (P3M) system centered around the needs of UNOPS partners, beneficiaries and frontline personnel. IPMG also drives UNOPS efforts to leverage sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure and maximize local capacity through grant support management to achieve sustainable development. Through thought leadership, we aim to position UNOPS with its partners, foster innovative solutions for sustainable and inclusive development, and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This includes speeding up the implementation of urgent infrastructure and scaling up infrastructure service delivery, particularly in relation to climate action and energy. Our delivery approach to project management, infrastructure and grant support management prioritizes development needs, empowers institutions and communities, builds partners’ capacity, champions gender equality and social inclusion and reduces environmental impact. IPMG translates policy into practice by providing strategic direction, standards and oversight, while facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity-building for UNOPS teams globally.

Job Specific Context

Grant Support is defined in UNOPS policies as “a UNOPS project activity, which is outside the framework of procurement activities, and is undertaken by way of grants, credits or loans carried out through an implementing partner." UNOPS manages grant support projects and programmes, which can be small or large.  This involves:

Selecting implementing partners using various methodologies.

Disbursing and monitoring grants and funding across diverse contexts.

Ensuring resources are spent transparently and efficiently, aligning with partner (donor) objectives.

Building the capacity of UNOPS implementing partners for the efficient and responsible use of grants and funding.

The  Grant Support Specialist  is a critical role within IPMG, focused on strengthening the organization’s grant support policy and operational framework. This position serves as a technical advisor, trainer/coach and coordinator, ensuring that grant support-related activities—including credits, loans, and humanitarian rapid response—are delivered with high integrity and transparency in alignment with partner (donor) objectives. The specialist acts as a bridge between high-level policy and field-level execution, with a mission to build the capacity of UNOPS personnel and acts as the steward of the organization’s digital grant management system, Grant+. ***This vacancy is looking to fill a full-time open-ended position. However, as the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an International Individual Contractor Agreement, UNOPS may also use the results of this recruitment process to offer a full-time short-term, or a retainer (contract for intermittent work, subject to budget availability and business needs) contract.

***This position may either be office-based in Copenhagen, Denmark or based in the successful candidate's place of residence. The duty station is to be agreed upon finalization of the recruitment process in accordance with business needs and the candidate's individual circumstances. While this role offers the flexibility of based work, the successful candidate will be expected to maintain at least partial overlap with HQ Copenhagen working hours.

Role Purpose

The Grant Support Specialist independently manages projects/programs and adapts existing policies to meet emerging needs in the area of grant support, ensuring the organization’s grant support policy and operational framework are strengthened.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1.  Policy, Guidance, and Compliance

Contribute to the development and revision of UNOPS grant support policies, processes, tools, templates, and guidance materials.

Contribute to the development and implementation of emerging grant support modalities (e.g., results-based financing, cash and voucher assistance, credits, loans, and humanitarian rapid response).

Provide proactive, interdisciplinary support to projects/programmes to ensure they can deliver within the grant support policy, such as, but not exclusive to:

Review partner (donor) agreements that involve grant support activities and provide feedback for improvement.

Evaluate the quality of grant support standard operating procedures, calls for proposals, results frameworks, capacity assessments, and other grant support-related documents, tools, and templates and coach personnel in quality assurance and improvement.

Assist projects/programmes in applying due diligence requirements, specifically implementing the Capacity Assessment of Implementing Partners Requirements and the Implementing Partner Protocol on Protection of e.

Provide technical advice on routine monitoring of implementing partners, including appropriate monitoring tools, and guidance on narrative, data and financial reporting.

Provide technical advice on capacity improvement support to implementing partners and/or on the development of capacity improvement plans based on capacity assessment results.

Provide technical advice on the development of standard operating procedures related to tailored selection methodologies.

2.  Digital Solutions and Data Analysis

Coordinate the improvement and adoption of Grant+ (UNOPS grant management system) with the UNOPS Information and Technology Group (ITG) and project/programme teams.

Coordinate all grant support digital solutions with ITG and IPMG, and promote the use of artificial intelligence in UNOPS grant support. In collaboration with relevant business units, document business processes and system requirements for grant support of digital solutions.

Work with the Finance Group to develop and refine financial management and reporting processes and tools for grant support, and support the adoption of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Conduct quality assurance of IPMG grant support reports and data, and provide inputs into audits and evaluations.

Coordinate the analysis of results, risks, and needs to inform corporate controls and oversight of grant support, with a focus on fragile states and/or humanitarian contexts.

3.  Capacity Building and Training

Upon request from UNOPS Offices, train and coach UNOPS personnel and/or implementing partners on UNOPS grant support policy, procedures, and Grant+ at regional, country, and local levels.

Develop content for both online and in-person corporate training related to grant support, Grant+ and implementing partner management.

Mentor and coach UNOPS Offices on documenting and analysing compliance with the grant support policy and Grant+.

4.  Communications and Knowledge Management

In collaboration with colleagues, contribute to documenting UNOPS' emerging, promising, and good practices in grant support and implementing partner management.

Work with communications personnel to produce grant support project/programme and implementing partner profiles, success stories, and social media content.

Engage with UN interagency working groups on implementing partners, grants, and funding, and execute joint work plans.

Guide UNOPS grant support projects and programmes in organizing documentation for evaluations and audits.

Support other knowledge management initiatives across the organization related to grant support, as requested.

Skills

Capacity Development, Data Analysis, Knowledge Management, Policy Analysis, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Science, Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, Project Management, Communications  or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience OR

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 5 years of relevant experience is required

Experience Requirements

Required

A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in grant support/management is required. The experience must include: 

Capacity Building: Skilled in designing and delivering coaching/mentoring, training programmes (webinars, toolkits) for a global audience with varying levels of expertise is required.

Grant Management Systems: Advanced proficiency in digital grant management systems and the ability to translate user needs into a digital system is required.

Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze large datasets of qualitative and quantitative data to identify risks, trends, and compliance gaps is required.

Civil Society Engagement: Direct experience working with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) is strongly preferred. Experience prioritizing the needs of those the UN serves and ensuring projects align with the strategic goals of peace, dignity, and equality is required.

Challenging Environments: Direct experience managing grants and funding within fragile states and humanitarian contexts, with a focus on analyzing results, risks, and corporate controls is required.

Partnership Management: Deep understanding of the implementing partner and grant management lifecycle is required.

Desired

Policy & Process Development: Ability to draft and implement policies, technical standards, standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, and templates is strongly desired.

Multi-Donor Management: Experience in multi-donor or multi-agency grants and projects is preferred.

Financial Standards: Familiarity with IPSAS for refining financial management and reporting tools is desired.

Capacity Assessment: Direct experience implementing Capacity Assessments of Implementing Partners and protocols on the Protection of e (PSEA) is preferred.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement

English Fluent Required

Spanish Fluent Desirable

French Fluent Desirable

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be

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