Overview

Position Overview

This position description is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for performance of the position responsibilities. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements nor meant to exclude other duties as assigned.

The United Nations Foundation was created in 1998 as a US charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner. The Foundation uses innovative campaigns and transformative public-private partnerships to connect people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems, and it broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. The Foundation is driven by the belief that a better world is within reach and that everyone has a role to play in helping the UN make this vision possible.

The Officer, Grants and UN Relations is responsible for supporting the UN-UN Foundation relationship and UN relations functions of the New York Office. S/he also manages the Foundation’s UN-related grants and special projects. The Officer works closely with the Senior Vice President and the Vice President of Finance, as well as the New York office team. The Officer is part of the UN Relations team and reports directly to the Senior Director, UN Relations.

This position is based in New York, NY.

Essential Functions

UN Relations

  • Manage UN-UN Foundation relationship coordination and reporting mechanisms, including preparations for meetings of the UN-UN Foundation Joint Coordination Committee and UNFIP Advisory Board
  • Serve as a liaison to the UN Office for Partnerships/UNFIP and support regular reporting through UNFIP
  • Serve as internal resource for Foundation staff on UN-UNF relationship and UN relationship management
  • Strengthen Foundation relationships across the UN system, taking a cross-cutting and proactive approach to identify new areas for reinforcement and stewardship
  • Maintain active knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of the UN environment, key issues, and emerging areas

Grants, Contracts & Compliance

  • Manage UN-related grants and special projects, working in close coordination with the Director, UN Relations, and with guidance from UN Foundation’s Finance and Business Services Department as needed
  • Draft contractual agreements from existing templates; this includes but is not limited to consultant contracts, letters of intent, and grant agreements
  • Liaise with donors, vendors, consultants and grantees to process agreements and reports in a timely manner
  • Develop and maintain a grants reporting calendar and matrix for the team.
  • Ensure adherence with and compliance to all UN Foundation policies and donor rules and regulations
  • Maintain appropriate file documentation for all work products for programmatic ‘historical memory’.
  • Ensure timely and accurate responses to any audit requests on behalf of the New York Office
  • Maintaining working knowledge of the UNF agreement process (for both contracts and grants), and when to utilize the proper templates accordingly. (As applicable to the role)
  • Drafting and reviewing agreements and maintaining an understanding of all agreement terms and applicable flow-downs, consulting with UNF’s finance/contracts team as needed. (As applicable to the role)
  • Attending training sessions provided by UNF’s contracts team to maintain and keep up to date with UNF’s current policies and procedures. (As applicable to the role)
  • Maintain a strong knowledge of UNF’s Salesforce database to be able to process and track agreements, extract information and prepare reports. (As applicable to the role)
  • Other duties as assigned

Selection Criteria

  • Bachelor’s degree required
  • 5-7 years of experience in international relations, political science, or similar field.
  • Experience working with the UN system preferred
  • Knowledge of the UN system, priority areas of the UN Foundation, and global sustainable development agendas preferred
  • Excellent operations, project management, organizational, and logistical abilities
  • Experience developing various agreement types (contracts, grants, contributions, MOUs)
  • Experience working in a grants coordination or administrative capacity preferred
  • Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment, work well under pressure and prioritize multiple, competing priorities
  • Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team and with other colleagues across teams in an efficient, coordinated and flexible manner
  • Ability to drive projects from inception to completion and work independently as needed
  • Continuous learning skills and the ability to synthesize information
  • Proficiency in Word, PowerPoint and Excel
  • Demonstrated interest in managing administrative tasks
  • Ability to meet regular attendance/tardiness policy
  • Ability to work under pressure and handle stress
Apply for job