Project Management Support Specialist

Job categories Project Management

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5101/30754

Level ICS-10

Department/office APR, AFCO, Afghanistan

Duty station Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-2

Duration Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Application period 18-Sep-2025 to 02-Oct-2025

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Background Information – Project specific

The Project for Community-led Climate Change Adaptation in Afghanistan," aims to strengthen the resilience of communities by implementing community-led adaptation measures. Its overall objective is to empower people in target communities to have strengthened climate change and disaster resilience through two main components: constructing and rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure for climate change adaptation (e.g., check dams, river bank protection walls, irrigation canals), and strengthening community-based systems to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adverse climate events through training and capacity building.

Background Information - Job-specific

Functions/Key Results Expected The Project Management Support Specialist report...

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Functions: Project Delivery and Performance P...

Summary of Functions:

Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality Assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel Management

1. Project Delivery and Performance

In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, develop, complete, and update implementation plan(s)
In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set in Legal Agreement.
In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender inclusion, and environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
Support the Senior Project Manager in managing the production of the required outputs, and support the Senior Project Manager in taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, ensure that quality of deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
Monitor project progress, ensuring that deliverables are being executed properly
Control project changes
Accept goods, services, or works delivered by suppliers. Lead contract management duties, including supplier performance evaluation.
Identify and anticipate in a timely manner potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to the Project Executive so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
Identify and report to the supervisor potential project opportunities for UNOPS

2. Procedures

Comply with all organizational policies and specifically the Project Management Manual
Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Executive.
Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan
Support the Senior Project Manager and other team members to draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
Manage budgets, cash flow, and obligations to ensure deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
Understand and manage UNOPS indirect costs and shared direct costs, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project
Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
Act as committing officer and monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation, and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations

3. Monitoring and reporting

Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality).
Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

4. Stakeholder engagement

In coordination with the Senior Project Manager, develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
Establish solid working relationships with the Senior Project Manager (and his/her team) and Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications
Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

5. Quality assurance

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements
Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems
Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables
Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

6. Knowledge management and innovation

Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
Actively interact with other Project Management Support Specialists and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices
Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.
Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

7. Personnel Management

Support the Senior Project Manager to lead and motivate the Project team
Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately, and timely
Select, recruit and train the team as required, and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
Support the Senior Project Manager in ensuring safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards
Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards, and commitments.

Background Information - Job-specific

Impact of Results Project Management Support Specialist directly impacts on ach...

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent) with 5 years of...

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract le...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

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.
UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.

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TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

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.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.