Programme 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 services such as project management, procurement, and infrastructure services. The organization operates in over 130 countries and collaborates with various global partners, including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies. UNOPS is committed to advancing sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding initiatives, particularly in challenging environments. The Global Portfolios Office (GPO) within UNOPS leads multi-regional initiatives that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, leveraging collective expertise and global networks to deliver impactful services.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Support Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the UNODC's Alternative Development (AD) Programme in Afghanistan. This position focuses on market development, trade promotion, certification, and private sector engagement. The officer will contribute to strengthening value chains, facilitating market access, and supporting certification processes such as ISO and organic certification. The role requires collaboration with various stakeholders to ensure compliance with UNODC standards and procedures. The incumbent will assist in the planning, design, and implementation of programme activities, ensuring timely delivery of project outputs and effective communication with target communities and relevant stakeholders. This position is essential for promoting sustainable livelihoods and addressing the challenges posed by illicit crop cultivation in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the AD Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist and project team in planning, designing, and implementing programme activities related to market development, trade promotion, certification, and private sector engagement at both national and sub-national levels.
• Assist in developing and implementing annual work plans to ensure timely delivery of project outputs.
• Prepare community-based AD project concepts, proposals, and interventions in close consultation with target communities and relevant stakeholders.
• Conduct market assessments and value chain analyses to identify market opportunities, constraints, and potential interventions for programme beneficiaries.
• Facilitate the establishment of market linkages between input suppliers, producers, cooperatives, traders, exporters, and relevant stakeholders such as the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment (ACCI) and Afghanistan Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AWCCI).
• Support business and product development, branding, packaging, quality assurance, certification, marketing, and compliance with national and international market standards.
• Collaborate with certification bodies to acquire necessary certificates for target SMEs and work with financial institutions and trade promotion organizations to facilitate sustainable business opportunities.
• Monitor project implementation activities to ensure compliance with project objectives, work plans, donor requirements, and UNODC policies and procedures.
• Prepare technical reports, progress reports, quarterly reports, annual reports, donor updates, and other programme documentation. 1
• Participate in coordination meetings, stakeholder consultations, workshops, training events, and joint UN or partner missions as required. 1
• Undertake regular field visits to project locations for monitoring, beneficiary consultations, market assessments, and evaluation purposes. 1
• Maintain effective working relationships with counterparts, community representatives, development partners, private sector stakeholders, and implementing partners. 1
• Promote gender-responsive, inclusive, and sustainable approaches across all AD market-related interventions. 1
• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required in line with the incumbent's scope of services.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Marketing, Enterprise Development, or other relevant disciplines with 2 years of relevant experience, OR a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields with 0 years of relevant experience is required.
• Experience in agriculture value chain development, trade promotion, and market access initiatives is essential.
• Relevant work experience in project management or related areas is required.
• Experience working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience working with developmental programmes/projects is also desired.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Marketing, Enterprise Development, or other relevant disciplines. Alternatively, a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in the same fields is acceptable, with no prior experience required for candidates with a Master's degree. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of market development and trade promotion within the context of the UNODC's AD Programme.

Experience:
The Programme Management Support Officer should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience if holding a Bachelor’s degree, or no prior experience is required for those with a Master’s degree. Experience in agriculture value chain development, trade promotion, and market access initiatives is essential. Additionally, relevant work experience in project management or related areas is necessary. Candidates with experience in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in developing countries will have an advantage, as will those who have worked with developmental programmes/projects.

Languages:
Fluency in English, Pashto, and Dari is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders, community representatives, and project beneficiaries. The ability to communicate in multiple languages will enhance the officer's capacity to engage with diverse groups and facilitate project implementation.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as an Associate level role (ICS 08) and is offered on a six-month contract basis, with the possibility of extension subject to fund availability. The role is full-time and based in Kabul, Afghanistan. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.