Project Assistant, Multiple positions

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 peacebuilding, 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.  

In Ukraine, UNOPS’ support to the partners in their reform agenda since 2017 spans the rule of law, social protection, demining, emergency response, and security. The projects are funded by the EU, the Governments of Japan, and Canada.

All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme and have been contextualized within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.

Following the increased militarisation around Ukraine’s borders and the recognition of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics by the Russian Federation, the security situation in Ukraine deteriorated rapidly, with the launch of a military offensive by the Russian Federation on 24 February 2022. Armed violence escalated in at least eight oblasts (regions), including Kyivska oblast and the capital city of Kyiv, as well as in the eastern oblasts of Donetsk and Luhanska which were already affected by conflict. The towns of Mariupol, Kharkiv, and Irpin were strongly affected, so resident civilians fled their homes en masse. 

Martial law and a state of war were introduced in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, and the general mobilization of all Ukrainian males between 18 and 60 years old was ordered, while the Ukrainian airspace was closed to civilian users.

The UNOPS immediately launched its Emergency Procurement Procedure (EPP) to enable a faster response to requirements related to the crisis. The EPP provided flexibility in procurement procedures while still ensuring adherence to essential public procurement principles.

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Under the direct operational supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with other personnel, the Project Assistant will work in the UNOPS’ office in Kyiv. S/he will provide administrative support to the Project Team and perform other related functions at the level of authority as delegated by the Project Management Support Specialist, ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work.

The Project Assistant is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the project systems and functional interfaces concerned and provides services to the Project Team in support of project delivery. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the project’s performance and delivery goals related to the position.

The Project Assistant will get familiar with the project’s initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and respective roles and responsibilities of the Project Team, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the project is delivered administratively correctly for UNOPS and the clients. The success of the Project and hence of the Project Assistant will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.

a. Education 

• Secondary education is required.

• Bachelor Degree in Economics, Accounting, Logistics, or other related fields is desirable and may substitute for some of the required years of experience  

• A Master's Degree in Business Administration or a related field is considered an asset and/or industry certification and may substitute for some of the required years of experience.

b. Work Experience 

• Four (4) years of relevant experience in general administrative OR project implementation OR procurement, OR operations support services in national and/or international public or corporate organizations is required.

• Experience working in a project-based environment is required.

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

• Familiarity with UN system organizations is desirable.

• Experience in the use of Enterprise systems is desirable.

c. Language Requirements

•  Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required.

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Support- LICA 4 (ICS4)
Contract duration: Open-ended, 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. 

• 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.