UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.
Additional details:
The Project Management Support Specialist coordinates and supports the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of projects, ensuring delivery of results within the agreed scope, time, cost, quality and risk parameters. The role supports day-to-day project operations, liaises with partners, donors and beneficiaries, and ensures that project activities are in line with UNOPS policies, donor/partner requirements, and quality standards. The Project Management Support Specialist provides analytical and operational support, tracks financial and performance data, identifies risks or implementation challenges, and coordinates timely solutions in collaboration with stakeholders. The role therefore contributes towards ensuring that projects achieve their intended objectives, strengthen partner relationships, and contribute to UNOPS’ operational goals. The Project Management Support Specialist reports to the Senior Portfolio Manager.
Partnership Design and Advisory
Provide guidance on the development, structuring and/or negotiation of partnership agreements, including bilateral partnerships, multi-stakeholder collaborations, and inter-agency partnerships within the UN system.
Liaise with UNOPS Legal Group to support the drafting, review and execution of partnership agreements.
Maintain an internal pipeline and database of partnership agreements, track progress and ensure timely renewals, amendments and compliance reporting.
Contribute risk assessment and due diligence processes related to potential and existing partners, ensuring accountability and alignment with UN values and UNOPS standards.
Identify procedural bottlenecks and propose process improvements for more efficient partnership implementation.
Resource Mobilization and Donor Engagement
Collaborate with the design and implementation of resource mobilization strategies at global, regional and country levels.
Contribute to the diversification of the donor base through targeted outreach and engagement with governments, multilateral agencies, private-sector entities, philanthropies and foundations.
Leverage funding opportunities within the UN system, including UN-administered trust funds and joint programmes.
Participate in the development of concept notes, proposals and donor briefs.
Project Delivery and Performance
Contribute in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards.
Coordinate day-to-day project operations to ensure timely delivery of outputs and adherence to UNOPS and donor/partner requirements.
Manage and monitor progress against scope, time, cost and quality tolerances. Identify risks and deviations, propose corrective actions, and escalate when required.
Oversee project contracts and supplier performance to ensure compliance and value for money.
Embed sustainability principles - including gender equality, social inclusion and environmental considerations - across project activities.
Contribute to the identification and development of new project opportunities or extensions of existing engagements
Financial and Procurement Management
Contribute to financial planning, monitoring and reporting to ensure effective budget utilization and cost control in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
Manage cash flow, expenditures and financial commitments, ensuring timely disbursements and accurate financial reporting.
Collaborate with procurement and grant management processes, including preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), evaluation of bids, and contract administration.
Coordinate with finance and procurement teams to ensure compliance, transparency, and proper documentation of transactions.
Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits, ensuring implementation of recommendations.
Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery and alignment with project objectives.
Contribute to the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans, ensuring timely and consistent information sharing.
Facilitate internal coordination among project teams, technical experts and support functions.
Represent the project in meetings, consultations and external engagements as delegated by the supervisor
Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance
Monitor project performance against agreed indicators, preparing progress, financial and completion reports in accordance with UNOPS and donor/partner standards.
Conduct data analysis and provide inputs for management decisions and strategic planning.
Ensure quality assurance processes are applied to all deliverables, documents and outputs.
Facilitate compliance with internal audit and quality standards, coordinating corrective action as required
Personnel Management (as applicable)
Contribute to supervising, guiding and motivating project team members to achieve high performance and accountability.
Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and performance management of personnel, ensuring gender balance and diversity principles are upheld.
Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment that aligns with UNOPS’ zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, discrimination and harassment.
Ensure compliance with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) safety and security standards for all project staff and operations
Knowledge Building and Sharing
Contribute to 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
