Project Management Support - Senior Assistant

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 globally. With a workforce of over 6,000 personnel operating in 80 countries, UNOPS provides essential project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a diverse range of partners including governments, donors, and other UN organizations. The organization is dedicated to delivering sustainable solutions and has a significant impact on the ground by managing around 1,000 projects at any given time, often in challenging environments. The Geneva office (GVA) is part of the Global Portfolios Office (GPO) and manages a diversified portfolio of hosted entities, funds, programs, and projects, offering services such as fund management, advisory services, and project implementation.

Job Overview:
The Project Management Support - Senior Assistant position is situated within the UN Partners Team, which is responsible for providing operational support to various UN agencies under the GVA office, while being based in Copenhagen. The role involves collaboration with 10 UN partners, focusing on delivering essential operational and administrative support in areas such as procurement, grants management, human resources, travel coordination, and workshop management. The incumbent will work closely with the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre (UNEP-CCC), which was established in early 2022 and is programmatically guided by UN Environment (UNEP) and operationally supported by UNOPS. The position requires assisting in the implementation of operational support, portfolio planning, administration, knowledge building, and knowledge sharing, ensuring efficient and compliant operational delivery for effective project implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Management Support - Senior Assistant will perform a variety of functions under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist. Key responsibilities include: assisting in the delivery of UNOPS services in compliance with rules and regulations; monitoring procurement, travel, workshops, and grants; managing HR contract issuance and payroll; creating vendor details and managing contract approvals; maintaining tracking plans for travel, workshops, and procurement; organizing logistical arrangements for workshops and conferences; processing travel arrangements and expense claims; preparing briefing materials for field visits; ensuring compliance with procurement activities; supporting contract administration; maintaining accurate records of operational and financial transactions; and participating in weekly team meetings to report on progress and identify areas for collaboration.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a secondary school diploma or equivalent, with a first-level university degree (bachelor’s) or advanced degree (master’s) in related fields being advantageous. A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in programme/project management and administrative support is required. Familiarity with UNOPS policies and procedures, particularly in finance, travel, and procurement, is desirable. Proficiency in Google Workspace tools such as Google Sheets, Google Documents, Google Data Studio, and BigQuery is also preferred.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a secondary school diploma or equivalent as a minimum. A first-level university degree (bachelor’s) or an advanced degree (master’s) in a relevant field can substitute for some of the required years of experience, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant professional working experience in programme/project management and administrative support. Experience at the national or international level in providing project management and transactional services is desirable. Familiarity with UNOPS policies and procedures, especially regarding finance, travel, and procurement for goods and services, is also beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of any other UN language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is a Local Individual Contractor Agreement at the ICS 5 / LICA-5 level, with an ongoing open-ended duration subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. The organization also conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks. Candidates should be aware that applications received after the closing date will not be considered, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.