PAF Support Senior Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio is part of the UNOPS Global Portfolio Office, based in Vienna with offices globally. Established to support key initiatives in fund management, project implementation, and administrative support, WEC has effectively managed a portfolio exceeding 500 million USD over the last 15 years. The organization focuses on climate action and environmental conservation, operationalizing partners' agendas through global and regional activities. It supports key multilateral environmental agreements, including the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, and collaborates with nearly 200 countries and institutions through the NDC Partnership to drive transformational climate action.

Job Overview:
The PAF Support Senior Associate will play a crucial role in supporting the Partnership Action Fund (PAF) process, ensuring smooth coordination, effective documentation, and timely execution of tasks across various functional areas. This position requires flexibility and adaptability to meet the dynamic needs of the PAF, including tasks related to proposal development, grant management, monitoring, and reporting. The associate will be responsible for updating guidance notes, managing data collection, preparing reports, and facilitating communication among stakeholders. The role is integral to ensuring that the PAF can respond effectively to the climate action needs of developing countries, particularly in fast-tracking the implementation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties of the PAF Support Senior Associate include regularly updating guidance notes for PAF Window 1, centralizing process questions, ensuring timely responses to queries, monitoring the status of requests, assisting with quarterly reports, and providing consolidated reports to the PAF Program Manager. For PAF Window 2, the associate will assist in preparing Calls for Proposals (CFP), managing data collection templates, organizing information sessions, and coordinating Evaluation Committees. Additional responsibilities include tracking grant processing timelines, monitoring grant implementation, supporting project closure, and preparing communication materials. The associate will also provide ad hoc support to the PAF Manager and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a secondary school diploma (High School or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master's degree in international development, economics, finance, project management, or a related field with at least 1 year of experience. A Bachelor's degree combined with an additional 3 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a secondary school diploma. Proficiency in Microsoft Office/Google Suite, particularly Excel, is required, along with experience in project management, operations management, and grant management.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a secondary school diploma with extensive relevant experience, or a Master's degree in a related field with some professional experience. A Bachelor's degree in a related discipline combined with additional relevant work experience may also be considered acceptable. Candidates should have a strong foundation in project implementation and delivery activities, particularly in international contexts.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience, particularly in supporting project implementation and delivery activities. Experience in project management, operations management, monitoring and reporting, and grant management is essential. Familiarity with international cooperation and stakeholder management is advantageous, as is previous experience with UNOPS or other UN agencies.

Languages:
Proficiency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of another official UN language, such as French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese Mandarin, is considered an asset and may enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
This is a local ICA retainer contract with a duration of one year, comprising 220 working days, with the possibility of extension. The position is home-based, preferably located in Bonn, Germany, but this is not mandatory. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and that applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and underrepresented groups. All personnel are expected to adhere to UNOPS policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals.