Project Management Support - Officer

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The UNOPS Geneva office (GVA) is part of the Global Portfolios Office (GPO). The GVA manages a diversified portfolio of global and country specific hosted entities, funds, programs, and projects.  The GVA services includes hosting, fund management, advisory services, project/program implementation, procurement, financial and human resources support.

Background information – Job Specific

This job is in the UN Partners Team and is dedicated to supporting United Nations agencies across various operational areas under the GVA office, but based in Copenhagen. The GVA team collaborates with 10 UN partners, providing essential operational and administrative support in procurement, grants management, human resources, travel coordination, and workshop management. Through these services, the team ensures efficient and compliant operational delivery, facilitating the effective implementation of UN projects.

One of the UN partners that UNOPS GVA team supports is the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC). It was established in early 2022. UNEP-CCC is programmatically guided by UN Environment (UNEP) and operationally supported by UNOPS. 

Under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Management Specialist , the Project Management Support - Officer is responsible for the operational and administration support in the UN partner teams, particularly with UNEP Copenhagen Climate Center. He/she/they manage grant support, human resources management.  procurement process, and workshop management amongst other tasks and ensure efficient administration and delivery of quality service responsive to client needs. 

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist, the Project Management Support - Officer will perform the following functions: 

1. Project Management Support and Implementation

2. Grant, Contracting, and Financial Oversight

3. Human Resource (HR) Management

4. Knowledge Management and Client Services

5. Organizational Culture, Ethics, and Compliance

Detailed assignments 

1. Project Management Support  and Implementation

   1. Act as  focal point for overall project mainly  grants support and HR for UNEP-CCC in the UN partner team. 

   2. Support coordination and delivery of operational services, including grant support , human resources, travel, financial management, procurement and logistics.

   3. Working closely with program management specialists, supports the implementation  of operational strategies related to grants, financial, HR, procurement, and administrative functions within the UNEP -CCC programme.

   4. Follow up on the plans and  update the business plans, as well as drafting Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), benchmarks, and performance standards for program management.

   5. Conduct financial and operational  monitoring and analysis, identifying risks, operational challenges, and developing proactive solutions.

   6. Support audit compliance by implementing recommendations, reporting exceptions, and ensuring adherence to internal and external review processes.

1. Grant, Contracting, and Financial Oversight

   1. Draft Call of Proposal (CFPs) for implementing partners, TORs for procurement process and Individual contracts and help in identifying suitable strategy for each operational area. 

   2. Conduct and coordinate the evaluation for the Call for proposals as per UNOPS applicable policies and procedures. 

   3. Support the drafting and administration of contracts, agreements, and amendments, ensuring accuracy and compliance with UN standards.

   4. Review, and monitor financial transactions, including service payments, purchase orders, and project disbursements.

   5. Ensure that Grant support,  procurement and contract management align with effective internal controls and support the development of a client-oriented procurement and grant  system.

1. Human Resource Management

   1. Act as the primary communication focal point for all HR contracts, ensuring the delivery of UNOPS HR services in full compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

   2. Manage and monitor contract issuance and payroll for partner personnel.

   3. Coordinate the recruitment process for UNEP-CCC personnel as well as retainers either through competitive process or pre-selection. 

2. Knowledge Management and Client Services

   1. Identify and document best practices and lessons learned in portfolio management, HR, grants, and project implementation to enhance organizational learning and efficiency.

   2. Develop and review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve operational workflows and ensure consistency in service delivery, mainly for grant support and HR. 

   3. Create and maintain tools and platforms for data and content management, facilitating seamless knowledge-sharing with clients, partners, and internal teams.

   4. Lead or support training programs, capacity-building workshops, and mentorship initiatives to strengthen the capabilities of internal and external stakeholders.

   5. Engage actively in knowledge networks and communities of practice, contributing to discussions, innovation, and continuous learning.

   6. Maintain effective communication with clients and stakeholders, providing timely updates on project activities, addressing inquiries, and ensuring transparency.

   7. Collect, analyze, and integrate client feedback to improve service delivery, project performance, and partner satisfaction.

   8. Foster stakeholder engagement, including collaboration with UN partners, donors, project teams, and portfolio managers, ensuring alignment with strategic goals.

   9. Support business development efforts, identifying potential funding opportunities, partnerships, and new project prospects.

   10. Assist in liaising and negotiating with donors and funding agencies, ensuring alignment between client needs and UNOPS service offerings.

1. Organizational Culture, Ethics, and Compliance

1. Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, promoting respect, transparency, and ethical behavior among colleagues and partners.

2. Ensure that the highest standards of conduct and integrity are observed within the team and throughout project implementation.

3. Promote a culture of efficiency, accountability, and client satisfaction, maintaining high-quality service delivery and professionalism.

4. Uphold UN values and principles, ensuring that all activities align with UNOPS mandates and operational guidelines.

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s) preferably in Business Administration, Project Management, HR, Procurement, Public Administration, Economics, Environment, Political Sciences, International Relations, Social Sciences, Development Studies or related fields is required.

• A Master’s Degree or equivalent in related fields is an asset and may compensate for some years of experience.

b. Work Experience & Language Requirements

• A minimum of two (2)  years of experience in project management, operations or related fields is required.
• Experience in grant management, HR management, budget management, accounting and procurement is required.
• Good knowledge of UN/UNOPS policies and procedures is desirable.
• Experience in the usage of computers is required. Knowledge of Google sheets, google documents, google data studio, BigQuery is desirable
• Experience with an ERP system is desirable, and specific experience with oneUNOPS is an asset.

c. Languages

• Fluency in oral and written English is required.
• Knowledge of French, Spanish, Arabic  (or other UN languages) is an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: ICS 8 / IICA-1
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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 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 (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.