Philanthropy Grants Manager (Home-Based) External Post level IPSA-11 Apply by Jul-2-25 Agency U[...]

UN News; New York (NY); Remote; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global development agency seeks an experienced Philanthropy Grants Manager to oversee philanthropic grants and enhance partnerships. This home-based position demands at least 7 years of grant management experience, with a strong focus on compliance and reporting to ensure successful donor engagement and impact assessments.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in grant management, preferably with foundations.
• Proficiency in managing grant lifecycles and reporting processes.
• Fluency in English required; knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of philanthropic grants from onboarding to closure.
• Ensure compliance with contractual terms and donor reporting requirements.
• Coordinate with various teams for effective grant management and reporting.

Skills

Grant management

Donor relations

Communication

Negotiation

Compliance

Education

Master’s Degree in Public Administration or related field

Job description

The position is home based. The candidates are not requested to work from the US. However, if the recommended candidate is from NY he/she might be asked to report to office

Background

Office/Unit/ProjectDescription

TheBureauforExternalRelationsandAdvocacy(BERA)isresponsibleforpositioningUNDPasthe world’s leading global development agency, working with 170 governments and hundreds of partnerstoachievesustainabledevelopmentthroughtheinterconnected issuesofpoverty,good governance,environmentalprotection,crisesstabilizationtonameafew.TheBureauforExternal RelationsandAdvocacyleadsandsupportsUNDPinbuildingandnurturingstrategicrelationships and alliances essential to achieving its mission.

BERA coordinates, sets the strategy and delivers functions of partnerships, marketing and communications within UNDP. BERA is positioned around three service lines: Public Partnership; Advocacy, Marketing and Communications; and Private and Finance Partners. BERA also delivers throughanetworkofRepresentationOffices(Brussels,Copenhagen,Geneva,Tokyo,Washington D.CandBerlin)andRegionalTeamMembersinfivehubs(Africa,ArabStates,AsiaPacific,Europe and CIS, and Latin America and the Caribbean) providing audience-centric communications and management and strengthening of relationships with public and private partners.

Cognizantoftheevolvinglandscapeofinternationaldevelopmentcooperation-includingtheshift in traditional ODA and a renewed emphasis on multilateralism to address global development challenges - UNDP is deepening its engagement with foundations and philanthropies. The upcoming Strategic Plan (2026-2029) envisions a revived platform for collaboration on shared goalsbyleveragingUNDP’sglobalpresence,multi-stakeholders/partnersoutreach,andextensive know-how and expertise across critical development areas.

WithinthePublicPartnershipsGroupofBERA,thePhilanthropyTeamleadsandfacilitatesUNDP’s work with foundations, donor collaboratives, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals to collaborate and co-invest for sustainable development outcomes.

ScopeofWork

Within the context of the Philanthropy Team, UNDP requires the services of an experienced International Expert who is responsible for overseeing the management of philanthropic grants.

The Philanthropy Grants Managerwill serve as a global focal point for the operational management of foundation and philanthropic grants. They will oversee the grant lifecycle from onboarding to closure, streamline donor reporting processes, , and support the development of enablingpartnershipframeworks.ThePhilanthropyGrantsManagerwillplayakeyroleinscaling up UNDP’s partnerships with philanthropies by cultivating strategic, co-created, catalytic, and long-term partnerships. The Philanthropy Partnerships Manager will work closely with the PhilanthropyTeam andother unitsin BERA, BureauforManagement Support (BMS), Central and Regional Bureaux, Country Offices, and relevant technical teams, and with external partners to fulfill the following responsibilities:

1. GrantsManagement

• Managethefulllifecycleofphilanthropicgrants,includingonboarding,tracking,and close-out and support Regional Bureaus and COs to do the same as needed
• ProvidesupporttointermediarypartnersthatareprocessinggrantsonUNDP’sbehalf.
• ServeastheprimaryliaisonwithUNDP OfficeofLegalServicesinBMS(BMS/OLS)to review, adapt, and finalize grant agreements and templates.
• Monitorandproactivelyaddresslegal,fiduciary,andcompliancerisks.
• Trackcompliancewithcontractualterms.
• Developandmaintainclean,audit-readyrecordsofallgrantdocumentationand milestones.

2. DonorReporting–Financial,Programmatic&MonitoringEvaluationandLearning(MEL)

• Ensuretimelyandaccuratedeliveryofall philanthropicgrantsreportingrequirements, including narrative progress reports, financial reports, and evaluations and learning deliverables.
• Maintainacentralizedcalendarofreportingdeadlinesacrossallphilanthropicgrants.
• CoordinateinputgatheringfromUNDPRegionalBureaux,CountryOffices,programme teams, and finance staff.
• Ensuredonorreportsreflectbothfinancialstewardshipandprogrammaticimpactaligned with grant agreements.

3. EnsureOperationalCoordination&SystemStrengthening

• ActastheoperationsfocalpointwithinthePhilanthropyTeam withtherespectiveunits within BMS, BERA, and other Bureaus as needed.
• LiaisewithBMSandacrossUNDPteamstocoordinatefundreceipt, projectsetup, procurement alignment, and reporting.
• Troubleshootgrantimplementationchallengesandoperationalbottlenecks.
• Supportinternalsystemstrengthening(e.g.CRMtracking,workflowandreportingtools).
• Trackfeedbackfromphilanthropieson UNDPprocessesandworkwithBMStoimprove processes and address bottlenecks.
• Promotetrust-based,long-termrelationshipswithpartnergrantmanagersandtheir organizations,ensuringconsistentengagement,listening,andsharedvaluecreation.

4. EnsureMonitoringEvaluationandLearning(MEL)IntegrationandKnowledgeSharing

• CollaboratewithMELcolleaguestoembedappropriateindicatorsanddatacollection methods into grants.
• Assistinevaluatinggrant-fundedprogrammes,documentingkeyoutcomesand lessons learned.
• Contributetointernalandexternalknowledgeproducts,impactstories,anddonor-ready summaries.

5. FacilitateCapacityBuilding&InternalGuidance

• Developinternalguidanceandtemplatesforgrantmanagementandreporting.
• DeliveronboardingandrefreshertrainingsforUNDPstaffrelatedtograntsmanagement and reporting, in line with philanthropic partners’ expectations.
• SharebestpracticesandsupportalearningculturewithinthePhilanthropyTeamand across regional teams.

Theincumbentperformsotherdutieswithintheirfunctionalprofileasdeemednecessaryforthe efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

InstitutionalArrangement

The Philanthropy Grants Managerwill be based in the Philanthropy Team within the Public PartnershipsGroupoftheBureauforExternalRelationsandAdvocacy(BERA).Theincumbentwill report to the Philanthropy Team Leader and receive day-to-day guidance from the Partnership Portfolio Specialist—Foundations and Philanthropies, per the agreed work plan and expected deliverables. The incumbent will be responsible for processing and managing grants to UNDP.

Aspartoftheteamandinsupportofthecollectiveandindividualresults,theincumbentwillwork closely with the Philanthropy Reporting, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist and the PhilanthropyPartnershipAnalyst,amongotherteammembers.He/shewillalsoworkcloselywith the BERA Advocacy, Marketing, and Communications Team (ACGM), BMS/OLS,central and regional bureaux, and country office teams involved in implementing philanthropic partnerships.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:	LEVEL3:Setandalignchallenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects,havelastingimpact
Think Innovatively:	LEVEL3:Proactivelymitigatepotential risks,developnewideastosolve complex problems
Learn Continuously:	LEVEL3:Create andacton opportunitiestoexpandhorizons, diversify experiences
Adaptwith Agility:	LEVEL3:Proactivelyinitiateand championchange,managemultiple competingdemands
ActwithDetermination:	LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriersandtakeactiontoachieve greaterresults
Engageand Partner:	LEVEL3:Politicalsavvy,navigate complexlandscape,champion inter-agency collaboration
EnableDiversityandInclusion:	LEVEL3:Appreciatebenefitsof diverseworkforceand champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional &Technical competencies

ThematicArea	Name	Definition
Partnership Management	Relationship management	Ability to engage with a wide range of philanthropic partners, build, sustain and/or strengthenworkingrelations,trustandmutual understanding.
Partnership Management	Resource mobilization	Ability to identify funding sources, match funding needs (programmes/projects/initiatives) with fundingopportunities,andestablishaplanto
Partnership Management	Multi- stakeholder engagementand funding	Knowledge and ability to forge multi- stakeholderpartnershipsandremoveany obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.
BusinessDirection and Strategy	System Thinking	Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elementscoexistwithinanoverallprocessor system and to consider how altering one element can impact other parts of the system.
Legal	Knowledge Applicablefor legal framework	Understandingofthelegalnormsasappliedto the United Nations in general, and to UNDP in particular. This includes an understanding of the structure, functioning and operations of UNDP within the broader UN system and the application of international treaties, including the UN Charter, GA resolutions,therelevantbasiccountryassistance agreement and UN system-wide legal instruments, as well as an understanding of the internal legal framework (financial regulations and rules, policies, and procedures) of UNDP
Business Development	Knowledge facilitation	Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge,informationandideas.Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.
Business Management	Portfolio Management	Ability to select, prioritise and control the organization'sprogrammes and projectsinline withitsstrategicobjectivesandcapacityAbility to balance the implementation of change initiatives with regular activities for optimal return on investment. Knowledge and understanding of key principles of project, programme,andportfoliomanagement

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Min. Education requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Public Administration, International Development, Non-Profit Management, Social Studies, Business Administration or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

• Minimum of 7 years (with a master’s degree) or 9 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in grant management, compliance, or donor relations—preferably with foundations or global NGOs/international development organizations.

Required skills

• Proven experience and strong understanding of grant management.
• Prior experience managing a portfolio of grants (e.g., in a foundation, corporate philanthropy, or donor-advised fund).
• Familiarity with the full grant lifecycle: proposal evaluation, due diligence, compliance, disbursement, monitoring, and reporting.
• Familiarity with CRM and grants management systems; Excel proficiency.
• Understanding of contractual provisions traditionally included in grant agreements.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex, multi- stakeholder reporting processes.
• Experience and strong knowledge of philanthropic grant structures, donor expectations, and operational due diligence.
• Proven track record of excellent coordination, negotiating and communication skills.

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s specific values and ethical standards and acts in accordance with the Standards of Conduct for international civil servants while advocating for UNDP’s mission and vision
• Proven track record of awareness of tax implications and regulatory frameworks affecting international philanthropy (e.g, U.S. 501(c)(3) standards, equivalency determinations, restricted vs. unrestricted funding).
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply donor guidelines and philanthropic funding policies and familiarity in conducting due diligence process.
• Demonstrated experience of initiative, client- orientation, risk taking, and working in complex and time-pressured contexts.
• Experience working and living in developing countries.
• Demonstrated ability to develop creative solutions through participatory methods with various stakeholders.
• Experience working in a foundation.
• Demonstrated ability to identify, assess, and manage risks associated with philanthropic funding and partnership engagements.
• Salesforce or grant management software user experience.
• Fund accounting experience.
• Experience in data management and administration with a relational database system some exposure to grants administration and/or non-profit organizations.

Required Language(s)

• Fluency in the English is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an asset.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

The position is home based. The candidates are not requested to work from the US. However, if the recommended candidate is from NY he/she might be asked to report to office