Project Management Support Associate

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders (e.g., UNOPS ESAMCO support units, ZEMA, Implementing Partners, Government ministries, and UN agencies).
  
  

• Assist with drafting correspondence, briefing notes, and responses to external requests.
  
  

• Provide accurate and timely information on project processes, pending issues, and progress to the Project Manager and other stakeholders.
  
  

• Maintain records of administrative, financial, and logistical activities of the project.
  
  

• Provide administrative and logistical support for missions, meetings, and events, including organization of travel (tickets, hotel bookings, transfers, visas, DSA processing).

• Maintain and update a procurement monitoring system and provide feedback on purchase requests and orders.
  
  

• Support the preparation and monitoring of procurement plans in collaboration with the Procurement Unit.
  
  

• Review requisitions for completeness and adequacy of specifications, and assist in drafting Terms of Reference, Statements of Work, and technical specifications for goods and services.
  
  

• Support the preparation of solicitation documents (EOIs, RFQs, ITBs, RFPs) through UNOPS e-sourcing, ensuring compliance with templates and approval processes.
  
  

• Assist in reviewing and evaluating bids or proposals, preparing analysis for contract award, and drafting contracts or amendments.
  
  

• Liaise with vendors during the procurement cycle; follow up on delivery and ensure receipt of proper documentation (RIRs, delivery notes, certificates).
  
  

• Conduct basic market research to identify sources of supplies in line with UNOPS procedures.
  
  

• Maintain vendor information, ensuring records on performance evaluation and compliance are updated.

• Provide administrative, financial, and logistical support to project operations, ensuring compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations.
  
  

• Support project budget preparation, revisions, monitoring of expenditures against allotments, and reporting on variances.
  
  

• Regularly liaise with finance to track expenditures, ensure funds are available, and identify potential bottlenecks.
  
  

• Assist in maintaining accurate project data for monitoring and evaluation purposes.
  
  

• Support asset management activities, including registering, tracking, and reporting of project equipment in line with UNOPS Asset Management Policy.
  
  

• Facilitate timely preparation and submission of inventory reports and assist with physical verification of assets.
  
  

• Provide operational support for workshops, conferences, and retreats as required.
  
  

• Support project closure processes, ensuring all administrative, financial, and asset-related requirements are met.

• Provide administrative support to calls for proposals, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procedures.
  
  

• Assist in collection, review, and organization of partner/grantee submissions and support the work of selection committees.
  
  

• Support monitoring of grant performance, tracking deliverables, and ensuring timely submission of reports by implementing partners.
  
  

• Facilitate disbursement of funds to grantees and ensure accurate documentation of transactions.
  
  

• Assist with preparation of financial and narrative reports on grants, ensuring timely submission in accordance with project schedules.
  
  

• Draft simple agreements, contracts, or amendments with partners for review and clearance.

 Impact of results:

The key results directly affect the achievement of project results by supporting effective coordination, tracking, and implementation of DRE project activities. By ensuring that project milestones are well documented, reported, and monitored, the Project Management Support Associate reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in energy access and infrastructure delivery, strengthening its position as a partner of choice in sustainable development.

The role strengthens the visibility and credibility of UNOPS as a reliable partner in energy access and infrastructure delivery, reinforcing its ability to implement climate-resilient, high-impact solutions in support of Zambia’s development agenda.

Specific impacts include:

• Improved coordination and flow of information across project stakeholders and implementing teams.
  
  

• Enhanced delivery and monitoring of project outputs, particularly related to procurement, site readiness, and installation timelines.
  
  

• Reinforced UNOPS positioning as a trusted partner in renewable energy access and public infrastructure management.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement 
Contract level: Local ICA Support - 6 (ICS 6)
Contract duration: 10 months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

• 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.

• This is a locally recruited position open to Zambian nationals. The position is based in Lusaka which is a family duty station.

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.