Project Officer

In adapting to the growing complexity of the 21st century, the United Nations need to respond dynamically to ensure it remains instrumental in supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets for the 2030 agenda. Technological innovation and the role of partnerships across sectors have become increasingly important to accelerate progress in addressing the problems that humanity face.

In close partnership with the Government of Egypt, the UN is establishing and operationalizing the United Nations Technology Innovation Lab (UNTIL) located in Smart Village, Cairo.

The priority focus of the UNTIL Egypt Lab will be establishing partnerships with UN Funds and Programmes as well as Governments, Academia, NGOs and private sector leveraging technology to address SDGs challenges in the areas of education for special-needs students, health, industry and agriculture.

This position is located in the United Nations Technology Innovation Labs (UNTIL) Egypt under the Policy, Strategy & Governance Division (PSGD) of OICT. The Project Officer reports to the Lab Manager in UNTIL Egypt.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for or in the United Nations Secretariat. The incumbent of this position will be a staff member of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Within delegated authority, the Project Officer  will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provide assistance to conceptualize, develop strategy for and oversee the design and implementation of UNTIL Egypt lab’s objectives; manage/oversee multiple, concurrent and often disparate tasks for projects that involve cutting-edge innovative applications.

• Assist with reviewing project plans, schedules, and budgets on the UNTIL Egypt programme. Assist in the Identification of appropriate human and technical resources to complete the project. Assist in evaluating programme/project risk factors, escalating project issues, and developing solutions to address such issues.

• Assist with activities around setting up the lab and preparing project briefs and other programme documentation around programme initiation.

• Assist with the preparation of regular updates for reporting to the UNTIL Egypt Advisory Panel and Thematic Advisory Groups.

• Assist in the contribution of management support to the lab manager of UNTIL Egypt; Assist in activities for the team; participate in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in international business administration, law, computer science, engineering, information systems, innovation management, partnership management, or related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Required

• A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in programme management in technology innovation or related area.

Desirable

• A minimum of two years experience in implementing programmes with local and global scope within an international organization is an advantage.
• A minimum of two years experience in planning, designing and facilitating promotion of innovative technology solutions in the areas of Education, Health, Industry, Agriculture or Capacity development in the area of technology innovations an advantage.
• A minimum of two years experience in developing and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships for ICT is an advantage.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required; Knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage. 

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Sustainable Development Cluster

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.