GWPO Grant Management & GWP Network Finance Specialist

Duty Station: GWPO Headquarters / Regional Hub

Reports to: Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller

Technical Oversight: Director – Finance, Administration & Chief Financial Officer

Team: Finance & Administration

Grade Level: NOA/NOB Equivalent (Local National Professional Staff)

Recruitment Type: Local National Recruitment

Deadline: 18 June 2026

EXTERNAL RECRUITMENT

BACKGROUND

The Global Water Partnership (GWP) is an international institution comprising the intergovernmental Global Water Partnership Organisation (GWPO) and a global network of Regional Water Partnerships (RWPs) and Country Water Partnerships (CWPs) operating in more than 180 countries.

Under the GWP Strategy 2026–2030 and the Global Transformation Agenda on Water Investments, GWPO is strengthening decentralized programme delivery systems, integrated financial management frameworks, fiduciary governance systems, and institutional financing mechanisms to support climate-resilient water investments globally.

GWPO is implementing a major institutional transformation agenda focused on:

• mobilizing climate-resilient water investments,
• strengthening regional delivery systems,
• operationalizing decentralized financial governance,
• enhancing fiduciary accountability,
• and implementing integrated programme and financial management systems across the GWP Network.

The Grant Management & Network Finance Specialist position supports implementation of GWPO grant management systems, regional financial governance frameworks, network fiduciary systems, and financial capacity strengthening mechanisms across RWPs, CWPs, implementing partners, and programme portfolios.

The role contributes to implementation of the GWPO Grant Management Policy, the GWPO 15% Joint Delivery and Cost Recovery Framework, RWP and CWP fiduciary assessments, decentralized grant administration systems, and integrated operational finance governance across the GWP Network.

POSITION PURPOSE

The GWPO Grant Management & GWP Network Finance Specialist leads operational implementation of grant management systems, network finance governance mechanisms, fiduciary compliance systems, regional financial oversight processes, and financial capacity strengthening initiatives across the GWP Network.

The incumbent supports implementation of GWPO grant administration frameworks, sub-grant management systems, RWP and CWP financial governance processes, decentralized programme finance systems, donor compliance mechanisms, and network financial reporting arrangements.

The position supports operational implementation of:

• the GWPO Grant Management Policy;
• the GWPO 15% Joint Delivery and Cost Recovery Framework;
• network fiduciary assurance systems;
• decentralized grant management structures;
• and the GWPO-GWP Network Integrated Financial Management and Reporting System (NIFMARS).

The GWPO Grant Management & GWP Network Finance Specialist works closely with:

RWPs and CWPs;

• programme teams;
• implementing partners;
• auditors;
• finance focal points;
• project preparation facilities;
• climate finance programmes;
• and operational delivery teams across the GWP Network.

RESPONSIBILITIES

GWPO Grant Management and GWP Network Financial Governance

The GWPO Grant Management & GWP Network Finance Specialist will:

• Lead operational implementation of the GWPO Grant Management Policy across RWPs, CWPs, implementing partners, and operational delivery structures;
• Manage operational grant administration systems relating to GWPO-signed projects, grants, sub-grants, and decentralized programme delivery arrangements;
• Oversee administration and financial governance of sub-grants issued to RWPs, CWPs, host institutions, consultants, and implementing partners;
• Support implementation of standardized grant management procedures, grant compliance systems, and grant administration tools across the GWP Network;
• Monitor grant implementation performance, financial compliance, reporting schedules, and grant closure requirements;
• Support implementation and operational monitoring of the GWPO 15% Joint Delivery and Cost Recovery Framework across assigned projects and operational portfolios;
• Support operational coordination of joint delivery implementation arrangements between GWPO and RWPs;
• Support financial governance and fiduciary oversight of decentralized programme delivery structures;
• Support operational implementation of integrated grant management and financial governance systems through NIFMARS.

Regional Financial Oversight, Reporting and Capacity Building

• Manage and coordinate RWP financial reporting processes and operational financial governance support systems;
• Support quarterly and annual financial reporting coordination processes for RWPs and CWPs;
• Review, reconcile, and assess regional financial reports, grant utilization reports, audit submissions, and financial compliance documentation;
• Coordinate financial capacity strengthening initiatives for RWPs, CWPs, finance focal points, and implementing partners;
• Develop and deliver training on grant management, donor compliance, fiduciary governance, fraud prevention, financial reporting, and operational finance systems;
• Support dissemination and operational implementation of GWPO financial procedures, fiduciary frameworks, and operational finance guidance;
• Support implementation of harmonized financial reporting frameworks and operational financial management systems across the GWP Network;
• Support operational implementation of network-wide financial process harmonization initiatives.

Fiduciary Compliance, Assessments and Due Diligence

• Coordinate financial due diligence assessments, fiduciary reviews, and financial capacity assessments for RWPs, CWPs, host institutions, implementing partners, and operational entities;
• Manage financial governance assessments associated with RWP accreditation, hosting arrangements, and institutional compliance reviews;
• Support implementation of network fiduciary assurance systems and operational compliance monitoring frameworks;
• Conduct financial risk assessments, compliance reviews, and operational fiduciary monitoring exercises;
• Support implementation of anti-fraud controls, fiduciary safeguards, and operational risk mitigation systems;
• Coordinate follow-up on audit findings, financial corrective actions, compliance issues, and fiduciary recommendations;
• Support maintenance of operational fiduciary risk registers and network compliance monitoring systems;
• Support compliance monitoring relating to donor agreements, climate finance programmes, bilateral funding arrangements, and multilateral programme implementation requirements.

Financial Structuring, Investment Support and Project Preparation

• Provide financial structuring support to countries, programmes, and project preparation facilities supporting climate-resilient water investments;
• Support development of financing approaches, grant structures, co-financing arrangements, and operational investment support frameworks;
• Support project preparation and financial readiness activities linked to Strategic Interventions 3 and 4 of the GWP Strategy 2026–2030;
• Conduct operational investment due diligence reviews and financial risk assessments relating to water infrastructure projects and investment pipelines;
• Support preparation of financial analyses, investment readiness assessments, and operational financing support documentation;
• Support collaboration with project preparation facilities, investment platforms, climate finance mechanisms, and blended finance initiatives;
• Contribute to strengthening operational financial readiness and investment governance capacities within project preparation and investment support programmes.

Audit Coordination and Financial Compliance Support

• Coordinate financial documentation preparation and support activities relating to internal and external audits involving RWPs, CWPs, grants, and implementing partners;
• Review audit submissions, financial statements, grant audit reports, and supporting financial documentation;
• Support operational implementation of audit recommendations, financial corrective actions, and compliance improvement measures;
• Coordinate audit follow-up processes and fiduciary compliance monitoring activities;
• Support implementation of financial control systems and operational compliance procedures across network delivery arrangements.

Institutional Coordination and Operational Support

• Work collaboratively with Finance Specialists, programme teams, operational units, RWPs, CWPs, implementing partners, consultants, and operational delivery teams across the GWP Network;
• Support operational coordination relating to grants, financial governance, joint delivery implementation, cost recovery systems, and donor compliance requirements;
• Participate in finance coordination meetings, grant management reviews, operational planning discussions, and institutional governance processes;
• Contribute to strengthening institutional financial governance, decentralized operational delivery systems, and programme finance management capacities;
• Support continuous improvement of grant management systems, fiduciary frameworks, financial governance arrangements, and operational finance systems;
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Chief Financial Officer & Financial Controller or the Director – Finance, Administration & CFO.

KEY PERFORMANCE AREAS

The Grant Management & Network Finance Specialist will be evaluated against:

• Effectiveness of implementation of the GWPO Grant Management Policy;
• Quality and timeliness of RWP and CWP financial reporting coordination;
• Effectiveness of grant administration and sub-grant management systems;
• Contribution to implementation of the GWPO 15% Joint Delivery and Cost Recovery Framework;
• Quality and effectiveness of financial capacity strengthening initiatives across RWPs and CWPs;
• Effectiveness of fiduciary assessments, due diligence reviews, and compliance monitoring systems;
• Quality and timeliness of audit coordination and fiduciary follow-up activities;
• Contribution to operational implementation of NIFMARS and network financial governance systems;
• Contribution to operational investment readiness, financial structuring support, and project preparation support activities;
• Contribution to institutional financial governance, operational accountability, and decentralized programme delivery effectiveness.

CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIES

Core Values

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity

Core Competencies

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Planning & Organizing
• Accountability
• Client & Partner Orientation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Technological Awareness

Functional Competencies

• Grant management and decentralized programme finance systems;
• Fiduciary governance, donor compliance, and financial risk management;
• Financial due diligence, institutional assessments, and operational compliance monitoring;
• Joint delivery implementation and cost recovery systems;
• RWP and CWP financial governance support;
• Financial structuring and investment readiness support;
• Climate finance and project preparation support systems;
• Audit coordination and operational financial governance;
• Capacity development and institutional strengthening;
• Financial reporting systems, ERP systems, and integrated operational finance platforms.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, public financial management, commerce, development finance, or related field;
• Professional accounting qualification (CPA, ACCA, CIMA, CA or equivalent) or relevant fiduciary governance certification is highly desirable;
• Additional training in climate finance, investment analysis, grant management, project finance, or development finance is an advantage.
• At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in grant management, programme finance, donor compliance, fiduciary governance, operational finance management, or financial oversight within international organizations, development programmes, climate finance programmes, or regional institutional platforms;
• Experience supporting decentralized grant management systems and multi-country programme delivery arrangements is highly desirable;
• Experience conducting financial due diligence assessments, fiduciary reviews, institutional assessments, or operational compliance reviews is desirable;
• Experience supporting climate finance programmes, project preparation facilities, investment readiness initiatives, or blended finance programmes is an advantage;
• Experience supporting donor-funded programmes, multilateral programmes, or international network structures is highly desirable;
• Experience working with ERP systems, grant management systems, financial reporting systems, or integrated financial management platforms is desirable.
• Namibia citizens or permanent residents

Skills and Attributes

• Strong analytical, organizational, and financial governance skills;
• Strong understanding of grant management, donor compliance, and fiduciary systems;
• Ability to manage complex decentralized operational processes and multiple stakeholder relationships;
• Strong communication, facilitation, and capacity-building skills;
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and matrix-management environments;
• High standards of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and fiduciary responsibility;
• Excellent written and spoken English. Knowledge of French, Spanish, or other UN languages is an advantage;
• Strong proficiency in spreadsheets, financial systems, dashboards, reporting systems, and operational finance technologies.