Project Support Officer

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. 

UNOPS Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) serves five countries: DRC, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.

Background Information - Job-specific- Project CAR

The distinctive activity of UNOPS CDOH in Central Africa aims at assisting government, donor and UN entities in their efforts to ensure timely and efficient implementation of their humanitarian, security/conflict resolution and development investment projects related to the reconstruction and development of the countries within the Hub.

Concerning this project, MINUSCA (UN Mission) and the World Bank (WB) through UNOPS as implementing partner shall collaborate together within the framework of the Partial Rehabilitation of the National Road program in CAR, which primarily involves rehabilitating unpaved roads and construction of bridges and drainage culverts. In line with its construction activities: rehabilitation/ construction of roads, bridges, buildings, water supply, sanitation, and waste system, UNOPS is seeking qualified candidates to fill a position of Project Support Officer.

1.     Project implementation

• Support the Project Manager in ensuring UNOPS Policies and Procedures, Financial Rules and Regulations (FR&R) are adhered to for efficient project implementation and progress;
• Monitor project financials and advise the Project Manager accordingly;
• Track expenditure and take relevant action when required to revise budgets (realignment and amendment);
• Monitor and record best practices and innovative approaches within UNOPS FR&R; identify and show alternative options according to Activity needs; 
• Managing information flows and overseeing change controls, risk registers and issue management; document and feedback lessons learned and best practices;
• Supporting the project planning process;
• Maintenance of all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes;
• Management of work packages within the project as and when required;    
• Assist the Project manager in monitoring of the project quality indicators and undertaking monthly assurance tasks on behalf of the Project Manager
• Supervise Project Assistant(s) within the Team, to ensure work efficiency and quality at all times.

2.     Financial and procurement management

• Maintain all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes.
• Ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system..
• Monitor project budget and financial expenditure and all administrative procedures in line with the work-plan.
• Process direct payments and advance requests and prepare project budget revisions.
• Produce financial reports; including developing financial monitoring and reporting formats as per UNOPS requirements.
• Support the Project Manager by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.
• Alert the Project Manager or any financial shortfalls and over-expenditures.
• Propose budget revision and initiate corrective action when necessary.
• Coordinate vendor communications, meetings, and reports as necessary 

3.     Project monitoring and reporting

• Provide substantive inputs to assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project reports and documents.
• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents.
• Maintain the following records: Quality Register, Configuration Item Records and all other registers/logs delegated by the Project Manager
• Support the Project Manager in maintaining the following:
• i. Electronic Blue File,
• ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by Organizational Directive (OD) 12.
• Manage the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data of the mission.
• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project completion reports and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.

• Contract management of all contracts (Procurement, HR, Service Contracts etc) under the Project
• Proactively coordinate/liaise with support units on all administrative matters related to contract management
• Liaise with the Programme Management Office (PMO) Team Members to complete project assurance related tasks.

5.     Knowledge management and innovation

• Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques 

• In consultation with the relevant stakeholders, assist in preparing amendments of Agreements and Budget revisions when applicable;
• Review input of financial information, expenditures etc in ATLAS
• Ensure conformity of project disbursement requests with procedures, work plans, and availability of resources for expenditure;
• Support development and maintenance of ATLAS based management information systems to  ensure real time tracking and asset management under the project activities;
• Liaise with the Finance Unit to process and monitor all payment requests within the Project
• Assist the Project Manager in monitoring all HR requirements and related activities under the Project
• Preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the projects (staff, individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.), with expert and/or client support as required;
• Providing induction briefings to newly recruited staff and render support to consultants in the course of their assignment;
• Supervise and review submissions for Contracts, Purchase orders, Waivers and related documents prior to final approval;
• In accordance with UN and UNOPS Security Policies, manage travel for all personnel in the Project Team
• Organize all project and stakeholder meetings as and when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings.
• Maintain records of project files and Activity reports in hard and soft copy.
• Prepare budget forecast and periodic financial reports as requested.
• Review weekly Activity reports and quarterly financial reports with respect to outputs based on work plans and budget forecasts
• Liaise with finance and logistics/procurement units in tracking commitments and disbursements.
• Identify operational, administrative, financial and other bottlenecks that may impede project delivery; recommend solutions and take appropriate remedial action
• On behalf of the Project and as directed by the Project Manager, participate in periodic visits to the project sites within Somalia to review compliance with recognized procedures.
• Establish and monitor an internal control system for all administrative actions
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Project Manager 

• Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Logistics, Emergency Management, International Relations or other relevant discipline is required
• First level University degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Logistics, Emergency Management, International Relations or other relevant discipline in combination with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
  
  
  

Minimum 2 years of relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of Project Management and Operations Management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination is required. 

Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, donors, security, and operations management will be an advantage.

Experience and demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Procurement, Finance, HR Management and administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage.

• Fluency in written and oral French (language of the duty station) required.
• Knowledge of second UNOPS working language, particularly English, desirable.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.