Project Management Support Associate

UNOPS Overview

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 8,000 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.

UNOPS in Somalia 

UNOPS has been operating in Somalia since 1995, providing implementation and advisory support for various development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, project management, procurement and financial services. Based in Mogadishu, the Somalia Country Office is currently implementing 19 projects across Somalia worth over $170m. From delivering high quality infrastructure for public services to facilitating the reform of the security sector and supporting crisis recovery, UNOPS is an established partner of government and donors alike in Somalia's path towards reconstruction and state-building.

Background Information: Somalia 

Somalia is amid major new political and security developments that will offer a greater possibility for peace and security than the country has seen in over 20 years. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), established in 2012, and international communities have driven a process of rebuilding of functioning government institutions and processes through Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building priorities under the Somali Compact (2013-2016), based on the Busan “New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States” agreement. The Somalia National Development Plan (2017-2019) builds on this foundation laid by the Compact and sets the priorities for national recovery and development in full collaboration with national and regional governments. A landmark electoral process in late 2016 and early 2017 resulted in a peaceful transfer of power to a new President and government, in place since February and March 2017, respectively. At the London Somalia Conference in May 2017, a Security Pact was agreed upon by Somalia and the international community, which will allow for sustainable, long-term security based on mutual accountability. At the time of advertising this position - in February 2023, a new federal government is embarking on an ambitious peace and development agenda. 

The functional objective of UNOPS in Somalia is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Somalia and the donor community. The aim of UNOPS in Somalia is to provide implementation services to the Government of Somalia, the donor community, and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

Background Information: Project Specific

Somalia Urban Resilience Project II (known by its acronyms as “SURP II” or “NAGAAD” or simply  hereafter as “the Project”) is a municipal governance and infrastructure development project financed by the World Bank and its partners, aimed at improving access to urban infrastructure and strengthening municipal governance in Somalia.  The Project also aims to strengthen inter-governmental relationships between the federal, state, and municipal levels. It is intended that the SURP II will also strengthen the state-citizen relationship and the government’s legitimacy in the eyes of its people by providing visible and tangible benefits. The Project is thus as much about urban resilience as it is about peace building and institution building.  

SURP II implementation commenced in 2021 with the Bank supporting all four municipalities now with addition of two more cities in 2025 to set up and operationalize respective Project Implementation Units (PIUs), and build fiduciary, environmental and social safeguards, project management, and monitoring and evaluation capacity of the PIU staff. The Federal Government of Somalia has set up a Project Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of SURP II and a Project Coordination Unit (PCU) to provide technical support and guidance to the municipalities as needed. 

The UNOPS is engaged by the Government of Somalia to provide technical assistance for contract management and construction supervision to the respective municipalities, which will ensure that the construction of the infrastructure is implemented according to the technical design, specifications and engineering standards as specified in the civil works contract documents, and also in compliance with environmental and social safeguards standards.

Job Specific Information

1. Project Monitoring and Reporting

2. Project Implementation

3. Operational and Logistic Support

4. Knowledge management and innovation

1.Project Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the Project Management Support Analyst/Officer in maintaining the following:
  i. Timely documentation.
  ii. Upload relevant documents in oneUNOPS projects both at engagement and project levels, as necessary.                                   

• Provide substantive inputs to assist the Project Manager/  Management Support Analyst/Officer in the preparation of project reports and documents.

• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents on the shared drive as per the organization guideline for record keeping.

• Ensure timely entry of project risks, lessons and issues in oneUNOPS projects.

• Assist Project Manager/  Management Support Analyst in updating of risks, issues and lessons.

• Support on the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data for regular portfolio reports and stage plans.

• Take minutes of regular team meetings and follow up on action points.

A.  Education

• Completion of secondary school is required. 

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) preferably in Public Administration, International Relations, Political Sciences, Social Sciences, Project Management, Communications or Journalism with two (2) years of experience would be an asset and may substitute for four (4) years of relevant experience.

B. Work Experience

• A minimum six (6) years of relevant professional experience working in the project implementation and/or in the communications field is required. A university degree may substitute for four (4) years of experience as specified above.

• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.

• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of rules and procedures in Project Management, Procurement, Finance, and administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage.

• Proficiency in computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling web-based management systems is required.

• Experience in use of Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS is desirable.

C. Language Requirements 

• For this position, fluency in English Language (i.e. writing, reading and speaking) is required.
• Fluency in Somali is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 6 / ICS 6

Contract duration: Ongoing (Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory) performance

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

• 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. 

• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.

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.

Africa Region Based in Nairobi, Kenya the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Somalia Country Office:

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners.