Project Management Support Specialist (Open to Internal Candidates only)

1. Stakeholder Management, Coordination and Liaison
2. Delivery and Performance
3. Procedures
4. Knowledge Management
5. Personnel Management

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project(s)

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle. 
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary 
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorise Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organisational policy is complied with (Organisational Directives and Administrative Instructions) 
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:  I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established 
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted timely and objectively
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the OC Director
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, Accounting, Management, or other relevant discipline is required.

• First level University Degree (Bachelor’s  Degree) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree requirement.

Certification

• PRINCE2® Foundation is an asset and the successful candidate is required to obtain the certification within the first year from the start of the role.

• MSP® Foundation is an asset.

• Project Management Professional (PMP® – PMI®) is an asset.    

Work Experience 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressive experience in Project Management or Project Implementation and/or a combination of both in public or private sector organizations is required. 

• Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms and/or donors and/or security and/or operations management, is an asset.

• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in procurement and/or finance and/or HR Management and/or administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage.

• Skills in budget preparation, financial reporting, coordination, and report writing is an asset.

• Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is a strong asset.

• Previous experience working with UNOPS in managing similar projects will be considered an asset; 

• Familiarity with the country context and program/project regions is an asset.

• Proven experience in financial management is highly desirable.

• Strong experience with project management tools and information management systems added advantage.

• Experience/knowledge of Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs, and slides is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in written, spoken, and reading English is required.

• Knowledge of additional UN official language is an asset

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA -10 (ICS10)
3. Contract duration: ‘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.