Project Management Support - Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide. UNOPS aims to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of these projects by providing a range of services including project management, procurement, and infrastructure support. The organization operates globally, with a presence in over 130 countries, and collaborates closely with various partners, including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies. UNOPS is committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and has a strong focus on operational excellence and accountability in project delivery. The Global Portfolios Office (GPO) within UNOPS leads multi-regional initiatives that promote sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding, leveraging collective expertise and global networks to achieve impactful results.

Job Overview:
The Project Management Support Officer at the UNODC Programme Office in Tajikistan plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective delivery of the Programme Office’s initiatives. This position involves contributing to the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities, working closely with various teams including programme, procurement, finance, and thematic units. The officer is responsible for maintaining compliance with organizational procedures, ensuring accurate project documentation, and supporting the preparation of work plans, progress updates, and reports. The role also requires coordination with internal and external partners, development of project and procurement documentation, tracking implementation progress, and contributing to knowledge management and data analysis. By fulfilling these responsibilities, the Project Management Support Officer enhances the quality, efficiency, and accountability of project delivery across UNODC’s portfolio in Central Asia, ultimately supporting the organization's mission to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Data Management, Analysis and Reporting: Collect, clean, structure, and validate project data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability. Develop and maintain databases, dashboards, and information management systems for real-time project tracking. Conduct statistical and qualitative analysis to identify trends, generate insights, and inform decision-making. Support the preparation of analytical and visual reports, briefs, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders. Implement automated tools and visualization systems to enhance data accessibility and interpretation. Ensure rigorous data quality checks and validation of data sources and tools.
• Project Implementation and Operational Support: Support project planning, budgeting, and execution, ensuring adherence to UNOPS procedures and client/donor requirements. Prepare project documentation, including Terms of Reference (ToRs), agreements, budgets, and procurement requests. Assist in the coordination of workshops, missions, and stakeholder consultations, including travel and logistical arrangements. Liaise with support service units on procurement, contracting, and payment processes, ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards. Track project milestones, outputs, and deliverables, and alert management to delays or risks.
• Procurement, Financial and Administrative Coordination: Support the preparation and monitoring of procurement and workshop plans, ensuring alignment with project needs. Conduct market research, support solicitation processes, and assist in bid evaluation and contract administration. Monitor project budget utilization, review financial reports, and maintain accurate documentation for audits and reporting. Process travel, expense claims, and related financial transactions in compliance with organizational policies.
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Strategic Decision Support: Develop and maintain monitoring systems and tools to track progress against work plans and performance indicators. Contribute to the development of predictive and analytical models to support strategic planning and forecasting. Support internal evaluations and data-driven performance reviews to assess project outcomes and impact. Provide timely inputs for donor and corporate reporting, ensuring analytical rigor and compliance with reporting standards.
• Knowledge Building and Sharing: Support the organization, facilitation, and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management. Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned. Conduct research on project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries, and briefing notes.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in law, political science, social science, economics, international relations, or a related field, along with 2 years of relevant experience. Alternatively, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields is acceptable with no prior experience. A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired but not mandatory. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in collaboration and productivity tools such as MS Office and G-Suite, as well as web-based management systems. Experience in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is preferred, along with experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in law, political science, social science, economics, international relations, or a related field. A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same areas is also acceptable, particularly for those with no prior work experience. A professional certification in project management is highly desirable and may enhance a candidate's application.

Experience:
Relevant experience in project management or related areas is required. Candidates should have demonstrable proficiency in using collaboration and productivity tools, such as MS Office and G-Suite, as well as experience with web-based management systems. Experience working in multicultural environments or within UN system organizations in developing countries is preferred, as is experience in development or humanitarian contexts. The selection process may include one or more assessments to evaluate candidates' suitability for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Tajik is required for this position. Candidates must demonstrate strong communication skills in both languages, as they will be required to interact with diverse stakeholders and prepare reports and documentation in these languages. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is classified as an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) under the LICA - Specialist - Regular category, with a contract level of LICA

• The duration of the contract is four months, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is classified at the Associate seniority level (ICS 08). UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization does not accept unsolicited resumes and requires that applications be submitted before the specified deadline. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with organizational standards.