Project Management Support Specialist

Peace and Security Cluster

Background Information - PSC Iraq Project Unit

The PSC Iraq Project Unit operates as an integral part of the Peace and Security Cluster structure. The Head of the Iraq Project Unit (HPU) reports to the PSC Director who provides direction and guidance. S/he is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring, supervising, and closing all projects in the country in order to support substantive partners in delivering its mandate. 

In Iraq, PSC’s partner is the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and UNMAS’ representative in-country is the Chief Mine Action Programme (CMAP). The CMAP is therefore the HPU’s primary stakeholder. UNOPS PSC and UNMAS have developed a delineation of responsibilities, using a responsibility matrix to define who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted and Informed. The HPU is expected to work in close cooperation with the CMAP, ensuring that, in substance, the Iraq mine action programme operates as one integrated team. 

UNMAS is a unit within the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) within the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS operates under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, or at the request of the UN Secretary-General or his designated official. When instructed by the Security Council or called upon by Member States, UNMAS deploys under humanitarian, peace and security mandates. UNMAS main headquarters is in the UN Secretariat, New York with a sub-office in Geneva. UNMAS provides direct support and assistance in the areas of explosive hazard threat mitigation to 20 countries/territories/missions, has a standby rapid response capacity and global technical advisors in the field of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) s and Weapons and Ammunition Management. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

Background Information – UNMAS Iraq Programme 

The UNMAS Iraq programme was formally established in June 2015, at the request of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Iraq, to lead the UN efforts to mitigate explosive threats in the country, as well as to support the enhancement of national and regional mine action capacities. UNMAS supports the Government of Iraq to protect civilians from the threat of explosive ordnance and enables humanitarian, stabilization and reconstruction, and socio-economic efforts. under the UNMAS Iraq Programme Strategy focusing on three main components: 1. Explosive Hazard Management; 2. Technical Support to National Mine Action Authorities (NMAAs), and 3. Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE).  UNMAS Iraq has offices in both Baghdad and Erbil.

The incumbent is responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project reports.

• Manage information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures.

• Manage assigned delivery of work packages and take responsibility for progress.

• Coordinate and liaise with the Senior Programme Officer on the implementation progress.

• Advise the Senior Programme Officer of any deviations from the plan and update plans.

• Work with the Senior Programme Officer to identify and manage risks.

• Review technical training materials for branding and consistency.

• Maintain high quality standards in the preparation and review of all written communications and information products.

• Monitor project budget and financial expenditure and all administrative procedures in line with the work-plan.

• Support the Senior Programme Officer by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.

• Participate in regular reviews of project budgets and the programme budget to advise on compliance of planned expenditure with UNMAS Iraq Programme mandates and respective financial agreements.

• Coordinate vendor communications, meetings, and reports as necessary.

• Provide substantive inputs to assist the Senior Programme Officer in the preparation of project reports and documents, ensure compliance with contractual obligations and UNOPS policies, processes and procedures.

• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents.

• Maintain the following records: Registers/logs delegated by the Senior Programme Officer

• Prepare and review periodic and ad hoc substantive reports against donor contributions, projects and activities.

• Prepare and review written communications and external relations documents for the programme, including highlight reports, articles and social media posts.

• Maintain documentation of decisions and actions taken on strategic, programmatic and budget-related issues.

• Support the Senior Programme Officer in maintaining the following:

i. Electronic Blue File

ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by UNOPS policies

• Manage the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data of the mission.

• Draft proposals to donors for funding

• Support the coordination and management of communications

• Liaise and build relationships with other United Nations (UN) agencies and international non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs) for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of information analysis.

• Participate in meetings with UN agencies, NGO’s and other Stakeholders and provide programme information as required.

• Prepare presentations and minutes for weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual programme reviews

• Provide logistical and substantive support for visits of donors and other delegations

• Assist the Programme Manager during donor visits, visits to embassies and presentations and visits to/by Mine Action stakeholders in country

• Liaise with United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and other UN counterparts on broader programmatic issues and strategic planning, such as United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and Iraqi Security Forces (ISF); as well as on results-based budgeting and other reporting requirements

• Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format.

• Ensure that Local capacities are built at every level and opportunity for Project Management Support.

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.

• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques

• Keep up-to-date with developments in UN Secretariat results-based budgeting and related guidance as well as donor guidelines for the management of financial contributions

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent); with five (5) years of relevant experience; or

• First-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with seven (7) years of relevant experience

Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Programme, Project Management, Support Service, Partner Liaison, Communications, Business Administration or any other related field is required.

• Experience in the field of Programme, Project Management or Support, Partner Liaison, Communications or Business Administration with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination is desired.

• Experience in writing project proposals or reporting is required.

Language: 

• Fluency in English (speaking, reading, and writing) is required.

• Fluency in Arabic (speaking, reading, and writing) is desired.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International ICA 2 (IICA 2) 
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing 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

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.


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 labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.



Work life harmonization

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

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• 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
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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.