Project Associate, Multiple positions

• Support implementation of operational strategies
• Portfolio planning, administration and management
• Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

Support implementation of operational strategies, adapts processes and procedures focusing on achievement of the following results;

• Full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations of programme/project management, financial processes, financial records and reports  and audit follow up, human resources management, procurement processes and implementation of the effective internal control framework.

• Elaboration of the content of internal Standard Operating Procedures in Programme/Project Management, in consultation with the direct supervisor and office management.

Ensures efficient and effective portfolio planning, administration and management, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Support of all aspects of project implementation and service delivery in full compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations; Monitoring of progress for all projects/services agreements under his/her responsibility, anticipating operational and budgetary issues and taking pre­emptive action.
• Interaction with colleagues, clients and partners and undertaking of missions, as may be required, to guide operational issues and UNOPS service provision. Resolution of operational and process issues, referring complex issues to supervisor with clear recommendations for courses of action. Review of service requests, assessment of their complexity, level of effort and UNOPS service fee levels for compliance with the UNOPS self-financing principle, and feedback prior to acceptance of projects for execution and/or service requests. Preparation of service request documents and analysis of submissions for project and/or UNOPS service acceptance.
• Fostering of client relationships.
• Support in the provision of operational, budgetary and financial guidance to project personnel.Assisting in preparation of project budgets and revisions and other related documents.
•  Support in the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the projects (institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.), with expert and/or client support as required. Provide support in the preparation of contracts for  services, memoranda of agreement, inter­agency agreement, grant agreements.
• Monitoring of expenditures and advice to clients/partners and funding agencies on budget status.
• Provide support in interview panels with view to staff selection and recruitment; Identification of consultants/experts, initiation of recruitment and preparation of TOR. Processing of all administrative requirements (e.g. funding source, clearances, and documentation) and request to Global Service Centre and/or integrated teams, to undertake recruitment action; follow-up to completion.
• Support in verification of accuracy of request/transactions and completeness of  documentation
• Initiation of action and certification for approval at the higher level as may be required. Monitoring of expenditures, regularly informing supervisor and clients of budget status and any need to reallocate resources to meet objectives.
• Planning, organization and implementation of training, conference and all necessary logistics.
• Assist in the preparation of briefing materials as required for mission travel and/or discussion on project activities.
• Any other duties as assigned

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:

• Maintenance of accurate data and information to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of project and service activities, and to institutionalize and disseminate knowledge.
• Coaching and/or mentoring of colleagues on portfolio management and service administration and encouraging feedback to lead to process improvement and standardization.
• Publication and sharing of information and knowledge with colleagues, clients and partners.
• Participation in the trainings for the programme, operations and projects staff on programme/project management. 
• Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• Secondary education required. A higher qualification such as a Bachelors degree, is a distinct advantage, and may be accepted in lieu of applicable years of experience.

• 6 years’ experience in similar position required, preferably with direct experience in managing service delivery and working directly with clients,
• Previous experience in managing transactional projects is preferred

• Fluency in English is required. 

• Financial Reporting skills - (required)
• Operational Transactions skills - (required)
• Project Management Support skills - (required)
• Word Processing/Spreadsheets skills - (optional)
•  Budgeting skills -  (optional)
•  Support Services skills - (optional)
• ERP experience skills - (optional)
• Record Management skills -  (optional)
• Contract Management skills - (optional)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS - East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub region currently consists of an established Operations Center in South Sudan, an Office in Somalia and a portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya based East Africa Hub office. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN­Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states.

The East Africa Hub is currently being reconfigured to ensure, in keeping with the regional strategy, an enhanced scope of engagements and improved operational excellence in the growing area of responsibility.