Project Management Support - Officer

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 Costa Rica and the Government of Japan agreed to implement the project with funding provided by the Government of Japan to enhance the healthcare system of Costa Rica through the provision of medical equipment.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Management Support Officer (PMSO) is responsible for supporting the execution of the project implementation plan.


Summary of functions:

I. Project Implementation

II. Financial and procurement management

III. Project monitoring and reporting

IV. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison

V. Knowledge management and innovation

I. Project implementation

• Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project reports.

• Coordinate information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures

• Coordinate assigned delivery of work packages and take responsibility for progress.

• Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the implementation progress.

• Identify and escalate to the Project Manager of any deviations from the plan and update plans.

• Work with the Project manager to identify and manage risks.

II. Financial and procurement management

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

• Support the Project Manager to ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP system (OneUNOPS) andOneUNOPS Projects – as appropriate.

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

• Facilitating processing of direct payments and advance requests and preparing project budget revisions.

• Manage the preparation of financial reports; including developing financial monitoring and reporting formats as per UNOPS requirements.

• Monitor budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.

• Conduct financial analysis to manage and calculate financial shortfalls and over-expenditures.

• Conduct budget revisions and initiate corrective actions when necessary.

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

III. Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison

• Establish a solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers),client and key stakeholders.

• Supports the Project Manager in communication between the project and the Government of Japan.

• Manage communications with stakeholders and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities,progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products.

• Supports the Project Manager to advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).

• Coordinate the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project(s).

• University degree (Bachelor's degree / first level) in Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, Economics, Logistics, International Relations or other relevant discipline is required.

• An advanced university degree (Master's degree) in Business Administration, Project Management, Operations Management, Economics, Logistics, International Relations or other relevant discipline is an asset and may substitute some years of required experience.

• A minimum of 4 years (or 2 in combination with an advanced University Degree) of relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of Project Management or Project Management support, preferably with focus on planning, stakeholder management, monitoring and reporting is required.

• Demonstrated experience in preparing reports for donors and partners is an advantage.

• Experience in the delivery of procurement projects is considered an advantage.

• Previous experience working in Latin America is an advantage.

• An intermediate level of English is required.

• An intermediate level of Spanish is required.

• Full working knowledge of Japanese is an advantage.

• PRINCE2 Foundation or similar certification is an asset.

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor - Established as a regular contract which means there is a need for continued service. The contractor will receive monthly payments at the end of each month. 
2. Contract level: IICA1 - ICS 8
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, linked to the duration of the project (12 months)

• 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.

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.