Project Management Support Specialist

The NDC Partnership is a global coalition of countries and institutions collaborating to drive transformational climate action through sustainable development. In 2015, the world endorsed the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Nations signal their commitments to the Paris Agreement through Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)—each country’s strategy to cut its own greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the negative effects of a changing climate. The Partnership advances the goals of the Paris Agreement by bringing together nearly 200 countries and institutions in new ways to accelerate NDC implementation and enhance ambition over time. The Partnership’s work through 120 partners supporting almost 80 countries produces many examples of impact, lessons learned and ideas for the future. The Partnership is governed by a Steering Committee, co-chaired by two country representatives. UNOPS support to the NDC Partnership is provided through the Water and Energy Cluster (WEC). 

Portfolio Planning, Coordination & Oversight Support: 

• Create and review the donor contribution agreements, draft and enter new engagement inputs to the UNOPS engagement system, recommending required revisions or specific conditions to be met, prior to acceptance of project execution. 

• Review new engagement and relevant background documents with the UNOPS WEC team, assess the operational and financial components and provide comments to supervisor. 

• Review and comment on operational aspects of projects, and facilitate their delivery in discussion with the relevant operational support teams in WEC and UNOPS HQ.

• Identify operational and financial problems and resolve them by taking appropriate action following consultation with direct supervisor, draft correspondence to parties concerned and prepare reports.

• Support the Team Leader in discussions with donors and other partners including delivering on key requests such a donor budgets, spending analysis, and supporting colleagues on tracking total spend against the 2021-2025 Work Program. 

• Assist, support and follow up on all portfolio core services related to procurement/contract administration, finance/payment process, grant management and HR/recruitment process. 

• Develop specifications/TOR, establishment of evaluation criteria, evaluation of bids/proposals for procurement and recruitment activities required by the project.     

Financial Planning & Reporting:

• Set up project proposals and budgets in the ERP system and monitor project budgets, support the preparation of due budget revisions in consultation with direct supervisor and Finance and the relevant project counterpart. 

• Prepare financial reports and ad-hoc updates on cash-flow status, contractual commitment and expenditure status; draft appropriate comments on audit reports, if necessary.

• Support the Team Leader in understanding monthly spend by preparing a spend report, including the budget vs. spending and the variances. 

Support Systems, Tools & Knowledge Management:

• Continuously maintain and review/seek improvements of existing ERP tools, as well as relevant internal mechanisms, for high quality service provision to various partners. 

• Drive the regular data updates and related exercises especially related to financial reporting.  

• Participate in and conduct training for the operations and project staff on the relevant tools, approaches and procedures, to ensure effective project implementation.

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 

• Support the Team Leader in tracking information related to HR services functions using UNOPS’ corporate systems. 

HR, Procurement & Grants Management Guidance:

• Act as designated first contact with the UNOPS’ NDC Partnership Project for all HR/recruitment, procurement, admin and grants management issues and support needs, facilitating delivery of effective services. 

• Coordinate with the respective WEC and HQ teams on specific cases and best possible support for timely provision of guidance on operational processes and procedures. 

• Facilitate the development and implementation of an HR, procurement, admin and grants management system for the Initiative with regard to planning, awarding, administering and monitoring of all matters related to HR, procurement and grants activities of the portfolio.

• Assist UNOPS’ NDC Partnership Project with the management of procurement and grants management processes, including systematic management of data needs, issue resolution, and results reporting and coordinating responses to requests for information from other internal units and from external parties.

• Perform other related duties as required and assigned by the supervisor, focused on improving the quality, timeliness and cost-effectiveness of UNOPS’s portfolio and operational support to partners.

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in public administration, political science, business, economics, international affairs, development studies, finance or related areas. OR
• A first-level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications with two years of additional experience related to the nature of the position may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in portfolio, programme or project management role is required.
• At least two (2) years of experience with fund and/or grants management is required. 
• Progressive experience with international organizations a strong asset. 
• Prince2 or PMP or similar project management certification at the practitioner level will be considered an advantage.

• Expert knowledge of English is required. Strong writing and presentation skills in English.
• French / Spanish an asset

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)

• 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.  

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.