Project Management Support - Senior Associate

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services), which serves as an operational arm of the United Nations. Established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects, UNOPS operates globally, providing services that enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of projects. The organization has a presence in approximately 125 countries and collaborates with various partners, including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies, to deliver a wide range of services such as project management, fund management, and HR support. UNOPS is committed to advancing sustainable development and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across more than 130 countries, leveraging its collective expertise and global networks to achieve impactful results.

Job Overview:
The Project Management Support - Senior Associate position is designed to provide substantive, technical, and operational support for the implementation of projects aimed at strengthening national capacities to prevent and combat corruption, financial crimes, and money laundering. The role involves close coordination with national institutions, regional partners, and international stakeholders to ensure timely and effective execution of project objectives in accordance with UNOPS standards and procedures. The Senior Associate will contribute to the design, backing, and execution of technical assistance, policy dialogue, capacity-building activities, and inter-institutional cooperation initiatives, thereby supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) and other relevant international standards. This position requires a proactive approach to project management, ensuring that all activities align with the strategic goals of UNOPS and its partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Associate will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: monitoring and reporting on UNODC projects related to the implementation of the UNCAC, corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes in Latin America and the Caribbean; supporting the planning, monitoring, and follow-up of project activities to ensure coherence between approved work plans, technical assistance initiatives, expected results, and program objectives; contributing to the preparation of project work plans, progress reports, analytical updates, donor reports, and other materials related to project implementation; overseeing the execution of technical assistance activities, including workshops, training sessions, consultations, and missions, ensuring proper follow-up on recommendations and commitments; collecting, organizing, and analyzing relevant information related to corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes to inform project implementation and reporting; maintaining comprehensive project documentation, including technical records, meeting minutes, activity reports, financial documentation, and other information required for monitoring, evaluation, and auditing; assisting the Project Coordinator and project team in identifying implementation challenges, operational risks, and emerging needs, and contributing to the development of mitigation measures and appropriate adjustments to project activities; supporting the planning, design, and implementation of technical assistance activities related to corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, asset recovery, and related criminal justice issues; assisting in the preparation of technical materials, background documents, presentations, assessments, and other substantive contributions related to anti-corruption measures, money laundering prevention frameworks, financial investigations, and international cooperation; collaborating with governmental institutions, anti-corruption agencies, financial intelligence units, law enforcement authorities, judicial institutions, oversight bodies, private sector representatives, academic institutions, and civil society organizations; contributing to the organization and execution of workshops, training sessions, consultations, and regional activities aimed at strengthening institutional capacities to prevent, detect, investigate, and address corruption and money laundering risks; participating in field missions and activities in the region to support the provision of technical assistance, information gathering, analysis, and monitoring of activities related to corruption, money laundering, and financial crimes; providing operational and administrative support for project activities, including coordinating workshops, training sessions, meetings, consultations, and missions related to UNODC technical assistance initiatives; assisting in the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR), consultancy agreements, contracts, purchase orders, and other administrative documents necessary for project implementation; coordinating logistical and administrative arrangements for project activities, including travel, meetings, workshops, and missions, ensuring timely execution and compliance with applicable procedures; coordinating with Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, and other relevant units to facilitate administrative processes, payments, contractual agreements, and operational requirements related to project implementation; maintaining correspondence, records, and filing systems for projects, including documentation related to technical assistance activities, consultants, meetings, and project outputs; supporting the onboarding, coordination, and management of consultants, experts, and other project personnel involved in implementing UNODC activities; assisting in the preparation and monitoring of project budgets, forecasts, expenditure reports, and financial updates, ensuring accuracy and timely submission; reviewing project expenditures, financial transactions, disbursements, and vendor payments in accordance with UNOPS Financial Regulations and applicable procedures; reviewing supporting documentation for financial transactions, contracts, and procurement processes to ensure integrity and compliance with established requirements; supporting procurement processes related to project implementation, including preparing requisitions, coordinating with relevant units, tracking contracts and purchase orders, and following up with service providers; facilitating communication with vendors, consultants, and relevant stakeholders to support the timely delivery of goods and services necessary for project activities; maintaining financial and procurement documentation and supporting project audits and reviews, as well as implementing relevant recommendations; organizing, facilitating, and executing technical workshops, learning sessions, and knowledge-sharing activities related to corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, criminal justice, and international cooperation; contributing to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of best practices, lessons learned, and relevant experiences derived from project implementation and technical assistance activities; conducting research and contributing to the preparation of technical reports, summaries, briefing notes, concept notes, and other knowledge products related to UNODC's programmatic areas; supporting the development and dissemination of materials aimed at strengthening institutional capacities and facilitating the implementation of international standards and best practices; participating in knowledge-sharing initiatives, communities of practice, and regional exchanges with relevant stakeholders and partners.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a secondary education (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience or a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Law, International Relations, Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field, with 3 years of relevant experience. An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Law, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field is desirable. Additional training or certification in project management, anti-corruption, financial crimes, money laundering prevention, criminal justice, or related areas will be valued. Candidates should demonstrate relevant experience in project implementation, technical assistance, institutional strengthening, or related fields, as well as proven experience in coordinating activities with governmental institutions, international organizations, experts, consultants, or other stakeholders. Proficiency in using collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, G-Suite, etc.) and web-based management systems is required. Experience supporting projects or initiatives related to corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, criminal justice, governance, or international cooperation will be an asset. Experience working within the United Nations system, international organizations, or development partners is desirable, as is experience working in multicultural environments and supporting regional initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a secondary education (or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience or a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Law, International Relations, Criminal Justice, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field, with 3 years of relevant experience. An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Law, Criminal Justice, International Relations, Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, or a related field is desirable. Additional training or certification in project management, anti-corruption, financial crimes, money laundering prevention, criminal justice, or related areas will be valued.

Experience:
The position requires relevant experience in project implementation, technical assistance, institutional strengthening, or related fields. Candidates should have demonstrable experience in coordinating activities with governmental institutions, international organizations, experts, consultants, or other stakeholders. Proficiency in using collaboration and productivity tools (e.g., MS Office, G-Suite, etc.) and web-based management systems is essential. Experience supporting projects or initiatives related to corruption, money laundering, financial crimes, criminal justice, governance, or international cooperation will be an asset. Experience working within the United Nations system, international organizations, or development partners is desirable, as is experience working in multicultural environments and supporting regional initiatives in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Languages:
The mandatory language requirement for this position is Spanish at a native level, while English fluency is desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, with a strong emphasis on Spanish proficiency as it is essential for the role.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at the Associate seniority level (ICS 07) and is offered under an Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) with a regular contract type. The contract duration is until December 31, 2026, with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability, organizational needs, project duration, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not request candidates to make payments during the recruitment process. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity, and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups.