Project Management Support Senior Officer

1. Project Implementation

2. Financial and Procurement management

3. Project Monitoring and Reporting

4. Coordination and Liaison/ Stakeholder Management

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

6. Operational and Logistics Support

1. Project implementation

• Alertthe Project Manager on UNOPS Policies and Procedures, Financial Rules and Regulations (FR&R) and other requirements for efficient project implementation and progress.

• Monitor project financials and advise the Project Manager accordingly;

• Track expenditure and take relevant action when required to revise budgets (realignment and amendment);

• Monitor and record best practices and innovative approaches within UNOPS FR&R; identify and show alternative options according to Activity needs;

• Managing information flows and overseeing change controls, risk registers and issue management; document and feedback lessons learned and best practices;

• Supporting the project planning process;

• Maintenance of all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes;

• Management of work packages within the project as and when required;

• Assist the Project manager in monitoring of the project quality indicators and undertaking monthly assurance tasks on behalf of the Project Manager;

• Continuous monitoring of the project quality indicators and undertaking monthly assurance tasks on behalf of the Project Manager;

• Supervise Project Associates and Assistant(s) within the Team, to ensure work efficiency and quality at all;

2. Financial and Procurement Management

• Maintain all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes;

• Ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system;

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

• Process direct payments and advance requests and prepare project budget revisions;

• Produce financial reports; including developing financial monitoring and reporting formats as per UNOPS requirements;

• Coordinate with the Finance team to ensure due diligence

• Support the Project Manager by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met;

• Alert the Project Manager or any financial shortfalls and over-expenditures;

• Propose budget revision and initiate corrective action when necessary;

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

3. Project Monitoring and Reporting

• Provide substantive inputs to assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project reports and documents;

• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents;

• Maintain the following records: Quality Register, Configuration Item Records and all other registers/logs delegated by the Project Manage;

• Support the Project Manager in maintaining the following: (I). Electronic Blue File, (ii). Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by Organizational Directive (OD) 12;

• Manage the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data related to the project(s);

• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project completion reports and ensure compliance with contractual obligations;

4. Coordination and Liaison/ Stakeholder Management

• Contract management of all contracts (Procurement, HR, Service Contracts etc) under the Project;

• Pro-actively coordinate/liaise with support units on all administrative matters related to contract management;

• Liaise with the Programme Management Office (PMO) Team Members to complete compliance and project assurance related tasks;

• Support the coordination and management of communications

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Participate in relevant Communities of Practice;

• Proactively remain abreast of new developments, innovations and tools related to Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) practices promoting a common approach and frame of reference;

• Supports the Project manager to implement knowledge and document management policies and guidance;

• Contribute to the mainstreaming of innovation and efficiency initiatives of the organization by facilitating their application at the project level;

• Actively interact with PMs and the wider PM Support community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in the Knowledge System;

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

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

• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques

6. Operational and Logistics Support

• In consultation with the relevant stakeholders, prepare amendments to Agreements and Budget Revisions when applicable; 

• Support the Project Manager in progressing Engagements and Amendments through oneUNOPS Projects;

• Review input of financial information, expenditures etc in oneUNOPS ERP;

• Ensure conformity of project disbursement requests with procedures, work plans, and availability of resources for expenditure;

• Support development and maintenance of UNOPS management information systems to ensure real time tracking and asset management under the project activities;

• Liaise with the Finance Unit to process and monitor all payment requests within the Project;

• Assist the Project Manager in monitoring all HR requirements and related activities under the Project;

• Preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the projects (staff, individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.), with expert and/or client support as required;

• Providing induction briefings to newly recruited staff and render support to consultants in the course of their assignment;

• Ensure Project Managers supervise and review submissions for Contracts, Purchase orders, Waivers and related documents prior to final approval;

• In accordance with UN and UNOPS Security Policies, manage travel for all personnel in the Project Team;

• Organize all project and stakeholder meetings as and when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings;

• Maintain records of project files and Activity reports in hard and soft copy;

• Prepare budget forecasts and periodic financial reports as requested;

• Review weekly Activity reports and quarterly financial reports with respect to outputs based on work plans and budget forecasts;

• Liaise with finance and logistics/procurement units in tracking commitments and disbursements;

• Identify operational, administrative, financial and other bottlenecks that may impede project delivery; recommend solutions and take appropriate remedial action;

• On behalf of the Project and as directed by the Project Manager, participate in periodic visits to the project sites to review compliance with recognized procedures as required;

• Establish and monitor an internal control system for all administrative actions;

IV. Impact of Results

The Project Management Support Senior Officer directly impacts on achievement of project results by supporting the Project Manager to adhere to policy requirements, project management methods and strategies, reduce risks, cut costs and improve success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education: 

• A Master's Degree in a relevant field (e.g. Business Administration, Finance, Project Management ore related fields) is a required.

• A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Certification: 

• PRINCE2 Foundation certification or equivalent is an advantage

Experience: 

• A minimum of  two (2) years relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of Project Management and Operations Management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination or related field is required;

• At least one (1) year experience working with Enterprise Resource Management Systems (ERP), other Management Information Systems (MIS), data analytics and/or reporting is required;

• At least one (1) year experience implementing procedures in Procurement, Finance, HR Management or administrative rules and regulations is highly desirable; 

• Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, donors, security, and operations management is an asset.

• Previous experience in a UN is highly desirable;

• Proven experience working with advanced understanding of operational risk management is highly desirable;

• Familiar with web-based applications and Google-Suite products, especially google docs, sheets, slides and forms is an asset;

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written, spoken and reading English is required

• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.