Project Management Support - Senior Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide. UNOPS aims to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of these initiatives, providing services that include project management, procurement, and infrastructure services. With a presence in over 130 countries, UNOPS collaborates closely with various global partners, including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, to deliver impactful results. The organization is committed to advancing sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding, particularly in challenging environments. UNOPS operates through its Global Portfolios Office (GPO), which leads multi-regional initiatives and supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Project Management Support - Senior Officer plays a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation, coordination, and monitoring of project activities. This position is designed to drive efficient project delivery and achieve impactful results by overseeing project activities, ensuring they are completed within the defined scope, time, cost, and quality parameters. The Senior Officer will provide analytical and operational support in project planning, execution, and reporting, contributing to risk and performance management. The role requires proactive communication with partners and stakeholders to facilitate project success. The incumbent will work closely with Programme Coordinators and colleagues from UNODC Vienna and the UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa to ensure coherence and efficiency in project delivery. The position is essential for maintaining smooth day-to-day administrative operations, which are critical for timely project execution.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Delivery and Performance: Contribute to the development, execution, and updating of detailed implementation plans, ensuring that all project outputs are delivered on time, within budget, and to quality standards. Provide logistical and operational support for missions, workshops, and dialogues, including the preparation of materials and reports. Integrate sustainability, social inclusion, and gender equality considerations into all project stages. Conduct or participate in field missions to monitor implementation and support local partners.
• Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance: Coordinate the timely preparation and submission of narrative and financial reports, ensuring compliance with UNOPS and donor/partner standards. Track project progress against scope, schedule, cost, and quality indicators, providing early warning on deviations and proposing corrective actions. Conduct regular reviews of project data, milestones, and performance indicators to assess delivery status. Maintain dashboards and monitoring tools to support evidence-based decision-making. Provide quality assurance for project deliverables, reports, and documentation submitted by donors/partners. Support internal and external audits, ensuring documentation and processes meet compliance standards.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination: Build and maintain productive relationships with national and local authorities, donors, partners, grantees, and other key stakeholders. Facilitate regular communication and coordination among programme teams and partners. Support the organization of steering committee meetings, technical workshops, and stakeholder consultations. Ensure stakeholders are informed of project progress, activities, and results through timely and accurate information.
• 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, or related disciplines with at least 2 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields with no prior experience. A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired, indicating a commitment to professional development and expertise in the field.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in law, political science, or related disciplines, or a Master’s degree in the same areas. The educational background should reflect a strong foundation in relevant subjects that support the responsibilities of project management and coordination. Additional certifications in project management are highly regarded and can enhance a candidate's profile.

Experience:
Relevant experience in project management or related areas is essential. Candidates should demonstrate proficiency in using collaboration and productivity tools, such as MS Office and G-Suite, as well as 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, which would provide valuable insights into the challenges and dynamics of such projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The contract for this position is classified as an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) at the LICA 9 level, with a duration of four months and the possibility of extension, subject to the availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The position is categorized at a mid-level seniority, indicating that candidates should have a solid foundation of experience and skills to effectively contribute to the role. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from a wide range of candidates, including women and individuals from underrepresented groups. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, and background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with ethical standards.