Officer, Global Disability Fund (GDF)

Job Posting Organization:
The Global Disability Fund (GDF), formerly known as UNPRPD, is a multi-partner trust fund dedicated to advancing disability-inclusive development on a global scale. The GDF supports the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by providing technical assistance, policy guidance, and financial support to various stakeholders including 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). The GDF Secretariat operates according to its own Strategic Plan and an annual work plan that is approved by its Steering Committee. As the GDF expands its strategic reach and portfolio, it is crucial to continuously monitor and evaluate its impact, effectiveness, and accountability. In 2025, the GDF will launch a new strategy that builds on the successes of its unique model to accelerate transformative change at national, regional, and global levels regarding disability inclusion, while enhancing the leadership of persons with disabilities in development. A key component of this new strategy is to foster catalytic partnerships and collaborative approaches, particularly strengthening partnerships with the International Disability Alliance (IDA), which is a global network of organizations representing persons with disabilities.

Job Overview:
The GDF is seeking a highly organized and proactive Officer to support the Director and Secretariat in various capacities including partnerships coordination, conducting research, and performing administrative and procurement tasks. This role is essential for maintaining and expanding donor relationships, organizing events and meetings, ensuring workplan tracking, and providing day-to-day assistance to the Director. The position is designed for a motivated team player who possesses strong coordination skills, research capabilities, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. The Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the GDF's strategic objectives are met and that its operations run smoothly, contributing to the overall mission of promoting disability-inclusive development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Officer will be responsible for a variety of tasks including:

• Creating partnerships and engaging donors by conducting background research and analysis to identify opportunities for collaboration, including trends in global development and disability inclusion.
• Supporting the preparation and revision of partnership documents such as Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements.
• Assisting in donor mapping and profiling, tracking engagement levels, and identifying opportunities for collaboration.
• Maintaining and regularly updating the GDF’s contact and donor database.
• Supporting the Director with donor communications, including drafting thank-you letters, acknowledgments, follow-ups, and scheduling.
• Planning and delivering donor-related events such as briefings, webinars, and roundtables.
• Monitoring progress against the GDF annual workplan, tracking implementation timelines, and following up on actions.
• Providing coordination and documentation support for internal meetings and team retreats, including agenda preparation, note-taking, and tracking action points.
• Assisting with the Director’s participation in relevant external events and maintaining a calendar of strategic opportunities for engagement. 1
• Organizing GDF Board meetings, including coordination of dates, materials, invitations, note-taking, and follow-up on actions and decisions. 1
• Supporting procurement processes in line with internal procedures, including drafting Terms of Reference, reviewing applications, and managing correspondence with candidates or vendors.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Administration, Public Relations, Communications, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the aforementioned areas combined with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be considered in lieu of a Master’s degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience with a Master’s degree or 4 years with a Bachelor’s degree in international development, programme coordination, partnerships, or donor engagement. Required skills include experience in business development and/or donor engagement, communication skills, and experience supporting high-level events and dialogues. Candidates should also have experience supporting procurement and administrative procedures within a large organization.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Administration, Public Relations, Communications, or a related field. In cases where a candidate holds a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree), they must also have an additional 2 years of qualifying experience to be considered for the role. This educational requirement ensures that candidates have a solid foundation in the necessary skills and knowledge to perform effectively in the position.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position includes a minimum of 2 years of relevant work experience for candidates with a Master’s degree or 4 years for those with a Bachelor’s degree. This experience should be in areas such as international development, programme coordination, partnerships, or donor engagement. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record in business development, donor engagement, and supporting high-level events and dialogues, as well as experience in procurement and administrative procedures within a large organization.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of another UN language, preferably French and/or Spanish, is considered an asset. This language requirement ensures effective communication within the diverse international context of the UN and its partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to cover the cost of any official travel associated with performing the functions of the role. As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity and encourages qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. UNDP is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to the mission and benefit from career opportunities. The organization does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, or abuse of authority. Selected candidates will undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement and may retain applications for other similar positions. It is important to note that UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process.