Grants Associate

The “Balkan Climate Adaptation Futures: A Regional Innovation Initiative for Resilience” project, financed by the Adaptation Fund and implemented by UNDP, aims to strengthen climate resilience across Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia... UNDP seeks to recruit a Grants Associate. Based in the Regional Project Management Unit (PMU) in North Macedonia, the Grant Associate will provide dedicated operational and administrative support across the entire grant lifecycle for all participating countries. Duties and Responsibilities: Grant Evaluation and Selection Support: - Ensure the successful execution and completion of the preliminary screening of all incoming grant applications... - Facilitate the technical evaluation and shortlisting processes... - Consolidate evaluation results... prepare comprehensive selection dossiers for the Project Board... - Support the execution of necessary due diligence and background checks... Ensure Grant Administration and Compliance Management: - Serve as the PMU’s primary focal point for all grant administration procedures... - Support the preparation, processing, and issuance of formal grant agreements... - Establish and manage a centralized database for the entire grant portfolio... - Provide guidance and backstopping support to National Coordinators and Project Associates... Support Grant Monitoring, Reporting, and Quality Assurance: - Support the Regional Project Manager in the overall financial and results-based monitoring of the grant portfolio. - Collect, consolidate, and conduct a preliminary review of all narrative and financial reports submitted by grantees... - Monitor compliance with Adaptation Fund and UNDP Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESP) and gender mainstreaming policies... Ensure Coordination and Capacity Building Support and Facilitate Knowledge Sharing: - Act as the primary operational liaison between the PMU and the national teams... - Contribute to project visibility and knowledge sharing by documenting regional lessons learned, success stories, and case studies... Required Skills and Experience: Education: Secondary education is required, or University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent field will be given due consideration. Experience: A minimum of 7 years (with high school diploma) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible administrative or project experience is required. Required skills: Direct experience in grants process management, administration, monitoring and reporting is required. Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), and web-based management systems.