Institutional Funding and Grant Specialist (Retainer)

Background Information - Job-specific

Today, over 2.5 billion people need at least one form of assistive technology (AT), such as wheelchairs, eyeglasses, or hearing aids, but, in low income countries, 90% do not have access to the AT they require. The number of people who need AT is expected to grow to more than 3.4 billion by 2050.

Access to appropriate AT enables people with loss of function, disabilities, non-communicable diseases, and the ageing population to participate in education, work, family, and community life. Lack of access to AT has significant consequences for individuals, their families, and the wider society. Without AT, individuals may experience isolation and exclusion from education, the labour market, and civic life. Lack of access to appropriate AT causes poorer health outcomes, including premature death, deteriorating mental health, and increased risk of chronic health conditions and secondary complications, all leading to a higher burden on health systems. Increasing accessibility and affordability of AT unlocks unrealized economic potential and provides socioeconomic benefit for individuals, families, and countries by increasing productivity and participation in the workforce.

ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology, was set up in response to the need for a new, catalytic approach to overcoming the significant gap in access to appropriate, high-quality, and affordable AT for people in low-and middle-income countries. It is a cross-sector partnership for AT that aims to bring greater resources and strategic focus to this significant global challenge to reach 500 million more people with life-changing assistive technology (AT) by 2030, to enable a lifetime of potential.

The ATscale Secretariat is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland. For more information, please visit https://atscalepartnership.org/

While ATscale is sufficiently funded for its present operations, its current resource base does not match the scale of its ambitions to raise $400 million by 2030.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Mobilizing additional resources is a key priority for 2025 and beyond. The ATscale resource mobilization strategy highlights government, multilateral donors, large foundations and the private sector as potential partners. In order to achieve this objective and create these partnerships, we are seeking a strategic consultant to support the Partnership Development Advisor to research opportunities, coordinate and develop proposals for potential funding opportunities, and support with donor reporting.

The Institutional Funding and Grant Specialist will play an important role in supporting ATscale's mission by supporting the ATscale team’s partnership, resource mobilization and reporting efforts. The Consultant will work with internal teams and technical partners and use necessary external resources to develop compelling, high-quality concept notes, proposals and reports. This role includes researching relevant data and evidence to support the production of these documents as well as researching potential opportunities for funding

Functional Responsibilities

1. Proposal Development:

Develop, write, and submit high-quality proposals: This includes concept notes, full proposals, and reports. Ensure proposals are well-written, effective, and convincing, adhering to ATscale standards for clarity and conciseness.

Tailor proposals to funder priorities: Conduct thorough research on potential funders, including their current agendas, funding priorities, and reporting requirements. Align proposals with ATscale's strategic direction and ensure key messages resonate with the funder's interests.

Collaborate with internal and external experts: Work closely with the ATscale Secretariat team and relevant external experts to gather data, evidence, and technical expertise to support proposals. This may involve conducting interviews, reviewing existing research, and collaborating with subject matter specialists.

2. Donor Research and Identification:

Identify and target relevant donors: Work with the Partnership Development Advisor to identify potential funding sources, including sovereign donors, foundations, multilateral funding agencies, and the private sector.

Analyze donor priorities and funding trends: Stay informed about current donor agendas, funding priorities, and emerging trends in international development. Identify potential funding opportunities that align with ATscale's strategic objectives and the SDGs.

Develop a donor mapping and engagement strategy: Maintain a comprehensive database on Salesforce of potential donors, outlining their funding areas, eligibility criteria, and contact information. Develop a targeted engagement strategy for approaching potential funders.

3. Donor Reporting:

Support ATscale to develop and maintain strong donor relationships: Ensure timely and effective communication with donors, providing regular updates on project progress and impact.

Prepare high-quality donor reports: Craft reports that address donor expectations, align with agreed ATscale KPIs, and effectively communicate the impact of their investments. Reports should be clear, concise, and visually appealing, adhering to UNOPS reporting standards and public administration principles.

Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements: Adhere to all donor reporting guidelines, including timelines, formats, and content requirements. Maintain accurate records and documentation to support reporting.

A University Degree (Masters degree or equivalent) preferably in social science, political science or international relations, media and communication, Journalism, marketing, business, economics, development studies, resource mobilization and international development, or similar subjects with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

A Bachelor degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced degree.

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional fundraising, in the fields of assistive technology, public health, disability, international development or in a closely related development field, including at the international level is required;

A successful track record of securing multi-year funding from a diverse range of donors is required.

Excellent writing and editing skills with ability to adapt style and tone relevant to the target audience, specifically donors, is required;

Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously is required;

Ability to think strategically, with strong analytical and problem solving skills is required;

A strong and diverse network of donor contacts is desired;

Experience in UN system organizations, preferably in a developing country is desirable;

Experience in assistive technology or disability and inclusion sector is desirable
Language

Fluency in both written and spoken English is essential

Knowledge of another official UN language, particularly French, is an asset.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) - Retainer
Contract level: ICS-10 (IICA 2 / LICA 10)
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx


As per UNOPS policy, in duty stations where the NPO (National Professional Officer) category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a home-based contract may be issued as a Local ICA Specialist position.
Additional Information

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

UNOPS makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please make us aware, we want to ensure you perform at your best.

People self-identifying as living with a long-term disability are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

UNOPS defines long term disability as a long term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. (Article 1, paragraph 2 UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities)

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.