About the opportunity
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is recruiting a Grants Management Senior Officer in Banjul, The Gambia, under the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO). The role supports the EU-ISEY project, an EU-supported initiative aimed at transforming The Gambia’s Senior Secondary Education (SSE) sector by increasing completion rates, improving educational quality, promoting gender equity, and integrating digital innovation. Supervised by the Senior Project Manager, the Senior Officer oversees the implementation of grants work packages, manages agreement preparations and calls for proposals, conducts due diligence and capacity assessments, monitors financial performance and risk management, and coordinates project implementation with partners including UNFPA, Expertise France, and local NGOs.
Salary and benefits
- Full-time regular contract with an ongoing duration under UNOPS.
- Competitive UN contract level classification (LICA Specialist, Level 9 / ICS 09).
Who can apply?
- Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Development Studies, International Relations, Project Management, or a related field with at least 2 years of relevant experience; OR a Bachelor's degree in the same fields with at least 4 years of relevant experience.
- Progressively relevant experience in grant management, operations, and reporting is required.
- Experience with and good knowledge of the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus, working with UN entities, donors, and NGOs is required.
- Fluency in English (oral and written) is required.
- Experience in project or financial management operations in public or private sectors is an asset.
- Work experience in West Africa, experience in leading teams, and proficiency with Google Suite are assets.
Required documents
- Completed online job application via the UNOPS Careers Marketplace.
When to apply
- Posting Start Date: August 19, 2026.
- Posting End Date: September 2, 2026, before midnight Copenhagen time (CET).
How to apply
- Navigate to the official job posting on the UNOPS Careers Marketplace.
- Click the 'Apply' button and log in or create an applicant account.
- Complete all required sections of the application form detailing education, work history, and relevant experience.
- Submit the application prior to the closing deadline of September 2, 2026 (midnight Copenhagen time).
Additional information
- Duty Station: Banjul, The Gambia.
- Contract Type: ICA – LICA – Specialist – Regular (LICA 9 / ICS 09).
- UNOPS does not charge any application or recruitment fees at any stage.
- Recruitment is contingent upon mandatory background checks, including verification regarding sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment history.
- For retainer contracts, mandatory unpaid introductory courses (approx. 4 hours) must be completed prior to providing services.
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Professionals with at least 2 years of experience in grant management and operations.
- Individuals with a background in the humanitarian, development, and peace nexus.
- Candidates experienced in working with UN entities, donors, or NGOs.
- Those comfortable with financial oversight, risk management, and partner coordination.
What should you think carefully about?
- The role is strictly on-site in Banjul, The Gambia, requiring relocation if you are not already based there.
- You must be prepared to manage complex multi-stakeholder projects involving UNFPA and Expertise France.
- The position requires proficiency in Google Suite and a high level of administrative rigor for grant agreement preparations.
- Verification of background checks regarding sexual exploitation and abuse is a mandatory part of the recruitment process.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This role is an excellent fit for a mid-career development professional looking to deepen their expertise in large-scale EU-funded education projects. It offers a clear pathway to gain high-level experience within the UN system, specifically in the West Africa region, while contributing to systemic change in the Senior Secondary Education sector.
Our take
This is a strong opportunity for experienced grant management specialists who thrive in collaborative, donor-driven environments. It is less suitable for those seeking remote work or those without prior experience in the humanitarian-development nexus.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
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