Programme Management - Senior Assistant, Multiple positions

Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability, and accountability of Projects. 

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS is conducting about $5 million pharmaceutical procurement to strengthen the  Sri Lanka health system and support the people in need. 

Project Information

In June 2022, UNOPS signed a legal agreement with the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP), an intergovernmental organization in South Asia, to support its implementation of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project that is funded by the World Bank. The PLEASE project encompasses three components: 

• Component 1: Supporting Competitive Block Grant Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste;

• Component 2: Leveraging Public and Private Sector Engagement and Solutions; and

• Component 3: Strengthening Regional Integration Institutions.

Under the direct supervision of the M&E Specialist and PMS Senior Officer, the Program Management Senior Assistant shall perform the following duties and responsibilities;

• Assist in monitoring expenditures, verify accuracy of requests, completeness of documentation and availability of funding-Inform supervisor of budget status, process for action, inform client and actively follow up to completion.

• Maintain hard and computerized (soft) records for the projects operational and financial transactions for ease of reference and retrieval.

• Responsible for document management, including file closures, archiving and monitoring due dates for projects progress, status reports and submission by UNOPS of substantive financing, budget utilization and budget utilization to clients.

• Assist in the administration and monitoring of all aspects of the project implementation including finance, budget and administration.

• Assist in organizing the meetings, trainings, workshops and events including related logistics and administrative matters.

• Assist in assuring the quality of results monitoring and reporting for Regional Block Grants and Innovation Grants. 

• Ensure the regular updating of results in the Grants Management System (GMS) coordinating with the country based officers 

• Assist in identification and development of visibility and communication content showcasing the outcomes and impacts of grants. 

• Support the supervisor in quality assurance of data and progress reported by grantees, including results verification. 

• Assist in maintaining monitoring records for assigned activities in the relevant country context and support assess the outcomes 

• Regular consolidation and updating of data for the assigned reports, such as the UNOPS operational results framework for the PLEASE project monthly and biannual reports for SACEP, UNINFO report in coordination with internal and external stakeholders coordinating with sector leads and RC office 

• Assist in logistical arrangements and coordination of  M&E capacity building activities for grantees and the SACEP team.

• Regular reports as assigned are prepared to the satisfaction of the direct supervisor.

• Maintenance of up-to-date records, both in hard copy and in the computerized system of project activities

• Attending all relevant technical meetings and maintaining excellent contacts with all stakeholders.

• Efficient & effective response to the day-to-day operational needs of the project

• Ability to work systematically, accurately and independently with minimum supervision in a complex environment.

• Excellent analytical skills. 

• Ability to draft clear and concise communications and to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Secondary education is required.

• Bachelor degree preferably in Business Administration/ Data Analytics/ International Relation/ Economics/ Development Studies will be considered an asset and may substitute for some of the required years of experience.

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
2. Contract level: Local ICA Support, LICA -5
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• This position is open for SRI LANKAN Nationals ONLY.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.