Project Management Support Specialist -Safety & Maritime Security (Retainer)

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

UNOPS Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC.

In 2018, INL began the East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EA TOC) Regional Program in response to the increased trafficking of Afghan-produced heroin trafficked through East and Southern Africa along the “Southern Route.”  Initial funding focused on building the capacity of national-level counternarcotics units in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania to investigate and prosecute drug cases. Given that illicit goods are transported through the Western Indian Ocean, the EA TOC program expanded its support to include programs to improve the interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of maritime crimes. Countries benefiting from the program may include: Djibouti, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania. 

In 2021, INL EATOC funded a project with UNOPS, through which UNOPS  provided needed advisory, procurement, and logistics support for the EATOC program. The UNOPS Project Management Support Specialist will provide mentorship and guidance on key EA TOC issues, including maritime security, law enforcement, and rule of law. The project will also work on logistics and procurements to further support EA TOC efforts, particularly for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

The Project Management Support Specialist (Retainer) will be engaged on an ad-hoc basis. He/she will work from home with travels to project locations if required. 

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the key responsibility will involve offering technical direction throughout the procurement process for a variety of safety and maritime security equipment. The equipment encompasses, but is not confined to: items such as vehicles, boat accessories, navigation equipment, evidence collection kits, fire equipment, etc..  

The incumbent will accomplish this by performing the following duties:

1. Specifications Development:

   1. Review the specifications provided by the client and end users and provide the project manager with an expert opinion based on the industry trends, suitability and  the users' specific context. 

   2. Participate in discussions with the stakeholders to refine and modify equipment specifications

   3. Develop new specifications as guided by client and end user requirements 

2. Procurement Process:

   1. Participate in the procurement process taking the lead on the technical evaluation.

   2. Be a member of the technical evaluation team and offer technical direction.

   3. Provide clarifications on technical queries from the procurement team, the bidders and UNOPS review committees 

3. Branding: 

   1. Provide guidance on the appropriate branding for each equipment 

   2. Supervise and certify the branding exercise 

4. Installation, testing and commissioning of Equipment:

   1. Provide technical input on the requirements/instructions to be used on the tender documents for installation, testing and commissioning

   2. Supervise the execution of installation, testing and commissioning of equipment 

   3. Inspect and certify the equipment delivered match UNOPS requirements and are in good working condition

5. User Training: 

   1. Define the appropriate user training requirements for the equipment to be procured 

   2. Supervise the user training exercise by the suppliers 

In addition to UNOPS Core Values/Competencies, diligence, attention to detail, a keen sense of work priorities and resourcefulness in obtaining and researching important information: 

• Demonstrable working knowledge to the safety & maritime security equipment

• Capable of working in a multi-national/cultural environment

• Reliable and able to work under pressure;

• Knowledge of UN rules & procedures is desirable, 

• Excellent communication skills; 

• Strong organizing abilities;

• Ability to quickly grasp complex structures

• Advanced university degree in social or political science, law, public administration, business management or security management is required. 
• Substantial experience in civilian police/the military may be accepted in lieu of formal education;

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant progressive experience in security management is required. Additional 2 years of relevant work experience, in combination with a relevant Bachelor’s degree, can substitute for the requirement for a Master’s degree.

• Demonstrated experience and exposure in the international security and maritime security arena dealing with security-related issues is an added advantage;

• Direct experience with the United Nations Security Management System is a strong advantage;

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;

• Ability to produce Standard Operating Procedures/Security Risk Assessments/Security Plans in accordance with UNDSS methodology is an asset;

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;

• Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office and G Suite is desirable

Language requirement:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required

• Knowledge of another official UN official language is an asset

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 2) / ICSC-10. A Local ICA contract will be offered if there is an ICSC scale in the candidate's country of residency. 


Contract duration: One (1) year subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.

Duty station: Home-based

• 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 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.