The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of ...
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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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.
Background: AUMCO
The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:
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Infrastructure
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Procurement
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Project Management (full service, back on track)
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HR and Transactional Services
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Grant Management
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Technical and Advisory Services
Blueing the Black Sea: a GEF Regional Project
Blueing the Black Sea GEF Regional Project (BBSEA) aims to strengthen the preparedness of governments and the private sector in the Project Focus Countries (Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and Ukraine) to take actions to reduce pollution in the Black Sea with a focus on four countries. It has two main components: (1) Strengthening the regional understanding of the economic impact of pollution and (2) Promoting eco-innovation through investments.
Component 1 aims to develop recommendations for policy and regulation as well as investment recommendations to the governments of the four Project Focus Countries. It involves technical assistance to improve policies, regulations, and institutional frameworks for pollution prevention. It also includes economic analysis to support the development of the Blue Economy and recommendations for national and regional policy reforms.
Component 2 aims to strengthen the public and private sector’s access in the four project countries to financial investment, innovation and technologies for pollution reduction and management. It focuses on green and innovative financing, including the Eco-Innovation Challenge, which will promote new technologies and business models to reduce pollution in the Black Sea. This component will be implemented in three focus countries: Türkiye, Georgia and Moldova. Ukraine will receive support for pollution clean-up interventions once the security situation allows. The project will also emphasize gender equality, climate change mitigation, and citizen engagement, ensuring that the benefits of the project are inclusive and sustainable.
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Project Support Officer will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day management of the project, including its plans, issues, risks and lessons, escalating any issues or concerns, as necessary. The incumbent will work closely with AUMCO shared support units, and all project partners and stakeholders in all aspects relating to grant management services and general financial management. The Project Support Officer will support the Senior Programme Manager in ensuring full compliance with all relevant procurement guidelines and regulations and is responsible for ensuring that administration of grants by UNOPS are in accordance with the applicable UNOPS Regulations and Rules and Administration Instruction(s).
Under the overall Supervision of the UNOPS Senior Programme Manager, the Incumbent will support the BBSEA project and provide technical assistance in especially in the areas listed below:
1. Project Planning, Coordination & Governance Support
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Support the overall planning, coordination and governance of the project, including liaison with various donors and stakeholders, and preparation of background documents, discussion papers, and presentations on management, financial and operational matters.
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Support the organization of project grant support activities, meetings and events, including logistics management of annual planning workshops, as well as regular donor, steering committee, advisory committee, and implementing partner meetings, ensuring they are held effectively, and proceedings are accurately recorded.
- Support the review and management of donor contributions and grant agreements; input new engagements into the UNOPS engagement system; and manage required revisions or specific conditions prior to and during project execution
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Review and coordinate the grant/operational aspects of the project and facilitate delivery in discussion with relevant operational support teams in AUMCO, ECR, and UNOPS HQ, as applicable
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Identify grant/operational and financial issues, risks, and challenges, and support their resolution in consultation with the supervisor.
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Draft correspondence, follow up on decision implementation, and prepare regular progress, narrative, financial and other reports, as appropriate.
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Coordinate the preparation of aggregated donor reports on progress and financial performance.
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Support procurement/contract administration, finance/payment processes, grant management, and HR/recruitment processes.
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Support development of specifications/TORs and evaluation criteria; coordinate evaluations of bids/proposals for procurement, grants, and recruitment processes, ensuring effective contractual arrangements.
2. Financial Planning, Monitoring and Reporting
- Maintain monitoring systems to keep track of the performance of implementing partners and partner country beneficiaries.
- Support the proper implementation of the Initiative's M&E framework, including alignment of contract management with the overall Theory of Change.
- Coordinate with implementing partners the application of M&E tools, such as reporting templates and evaluation surveys, to ensure adequate data collection and quality assurance.
- Set up project/grant agreements and budgets in the ERP system and monitor project budgets; support the preparation of budget revisions in consultation with the supervisor, Finance Unit, and relevant project counterparts.
- Support preparation of work plans, budgets, progress reports incl. financial reports, and ad-hoc updates on cash-flow status, contractual commitments, and expenditure status; draft appropriate comments on audit reports as necessary.
- Support the Senior Programme Manager in the preparation of relevant Quarterly Assurance Reports and Presentations.
3.Support Systems, Tools & Knowledge Management
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Maintain existing ERP and project/grant management tools, as well as relevant internal mechanisms, to ensure high-quality service provision to partners
- Drive regular data updates and related exercises, especially related to project-level and financial reporting.
- Participate in training for operations and project staff on relevant tools, approaches, and procedures to ensure effective project implementation
4. HR, Procurement & Grants Management Guidance
- Act as the first point of contact for all procurement, administrative, and grants management issues and support needs, facilitating effective service delivery, including with support from the project associate.
- Coordinate with the respective ECR teams on specific cases and provide timely guidance on operational processes and procedures.
- Assist with the management of HR, procurement, and grants management processes, including data management, issue resolution, results reporting, and coordination of responses to internal and external information requests.
5. Knowledge Management and Communications
- Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
- Collaborate closely with colleagues and ensure effective knowledge management across all functional areas.
- Support the development of internal communication flows with different stakeholders, including monitoring BBSEA website accuracy and helping to make sure it is updated.
- Provide any additional support as required.
- Perform other duties based on project needs.
Impact of Results
The Project Support Officer directly impacts on the achievement of project results by assisting the Senior Programme Manager to implement effective project management methods and strategies, reduce risks, cut cost 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.