Project Management Support - Associate

The Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO) is based in Nairobi and is responsible for 15 countries in East and Southern Africa, with ongoing projects in Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

UNOPS has worked in Kenya since 1995, where it manages a growing portfolio of engagements, providing project management, infrastructure, procurement, transactional, and financial management services. From renovations of elementary schools in Kenya to improving maternal and child health, KEMCO works to provide practical solutions to support sustainable growth and development in the region.

The Project Associate will assist in the implementation of the transactional portfolio under the broad supervision and guidance of the Transactional Project Manager.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Support Officer, the Project Associate is to support the transactional projects in the day-to-day operations of the projects.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals, in the area of project management.  She/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

1. Support implementation of operational strategies
2. Portfolio planning, administration and management
3. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• 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

• Completion of secondary school combined with 6 years of professional experience is required;
• Diploma Certificate in Business Administration, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Procurement, Management, International Relations and or other relevant disciplines combined with four (4) years of relevant professional experience may be considered but not mandatory;
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Project Management, Supply Chain Management, Accounting, Procurement, Management, International Relations and or other relevant discipline combined with two (2) years of relevant professional experience may be considered but not required.

• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in administrative and project/ programme management support services is required;
• Experience working in financial reporting, operational transactions, budget preparation will be an added advantage;
• Knowledge of ERP (oneUNOPS) systems is an asset.
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Project Management, Procurement, Finance, HR Management and administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage.
• Experience /knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides is an asset.

• Fluency in written and oral English and language of the duty station required;
• Knowledge of second UN working language desirable.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• This is a local post. As such, it is only open to Kenya Nationals or applicants with valid residence.
• This position is based in a family duty station.

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.

• Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: ICS 6/ LICA 6
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labour force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage the recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.