Project Management Support - Officer

Job Description

Empowering project success through operational excellence, data-driven insights, and seamless coordination.

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UNOPS in Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was established in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.  

As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people. There are a number of projects currently in the pipeline which will expand the portfolio of existing projects for the office.

Background Information 

Ongoing and New Projects Projects 

Impact Health and Energy Projects: Under the current portfolio, UNOPS implements initiatives in the health and energy sectors that contribute to improving service delivery and institutional capacity:

• The IMPACT Health Project aims to strengthen the quality and efficiency of healthcare services across Papua New Guinea by addressing key bottlenecks in health service delivery, particularly in rural and remote areas. Activities include assessments of health facilities, design of infrastructure upgrades, and capacity development of provincial health authorities to enhance service delivery. The project also supports the piloting of innovative approaches to community-level health care delivery in partnership with national and provincial counterparts.

• The Energy Project focuses on improving the operational and technical performance of the national electricity utility. It supports reforms to strengthen institutional governance, financial management and operational systems, while enhancing grid reliability, maintenance practices and network efficiency. The project contributes to expanding access to affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity in line with national energy transition goals.

The UNOPS PNG office also has existing projects that are currently being implemented and established across the country. Such projects have the potential to significantly develop UNOPS profile in key service lines of energy, health infrastructure and sustainable procurement, climate change resilient infrastructure and community development infrastructure projects in PNG. 

The Project Management Support Officer will provide cross-cutting operational, analytical and coordination support to PNG project portfolios, ensuring compliance with UNOPS policies, procedures and quality standards.

Job Highlight

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to PNG project portfolios in Papua New Guinea, supporting improved service delivery and sustainable development. The role provides valuable experience in project management, stakeholder engagement, and operational support within a dynamic international environment.

• The vacancy is open to both nationals and internationals. However, if the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.
• The duty station, Port Moresby, is a family duty station with hardship leave

The Project Management Support Officer provides technical and administrative support to ensure that projects and programmes are designed, implemented and monitored in line with UNOPS policies, processes and quality standards. The role contributes to effective coordination, operational consistency and risk management, supporting successful project delivery and sustainable results.

The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager(s) and overall guidance of the Head of Programme, providing cross-functional support to ensure timely, compliant and high-quality project implementation.

1.  Project implementation, monitoring and reporting

• Support the planning, coordination and day-to-day management of project activities.
• Prepare and maintain project work plans, schedules and monitoring tools.
• Track progress against deliverables, identify risks and propose corrective actions.
• Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, briefing notes and presentations.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date project documentation and data in corporate systems.
  
  

2. Operations coordination and contract management

• Coordinate with Support Services on procurement, HR and logistics actions required for project delivery.
• Support the drafting of Terms of Reference, purchase requisitions and related operational documentation.
• Monitor contract implementation, supplier performance and ensure timely payments.
• Maintain operational records and ensure compliance with UNOPS administrative procedures.
  
  

3. Project financial management

• Assist in the preparation and monitoring of budgets, forecasts and expenditure reports.
• Support analysis of financial performance and follow up on anomalies or pending actions.
• Ensure accurate cost coding, financial documentation and timely reporting in line with UNOPS rules.
• Contribute to financial inputs for donor and internal reports.
  
  

4. Stakeholder engagement support

• Facilitate effective communication and coordination among internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Support organization of meetings, workshops and missions, including documentation and follow-up of action points.
• Draft correspondence, minutes and briefing materials as required.
• Support visibility and communication activities consistent with UNOPS branding and guidelines.
  
  

5. Knowledge management and innovation

• Support the identification and documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
• Contribute to knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the office.
• Support capacity-building and training initiatives for project personnel and partners.
• Promote innovative solutions and efficient approaches to project delivery.

About the Organization

United Nations Office for Project Services