Project Support Associate

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. 

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan office supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support.  Based in Kabul, UNOPS Afghanistan has regional offices in most part of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.

In 2013, UNOPS Afghanistan was transformed into an operational hub and now covers Pakistan and Iran. We are strategically positioned to support important regional interventions necessary for transportation networks, security, trade and economy in the region.

The office is looking for a Project Support Associate for Environment Programme who will provide administrative support for UNEP Kabul enabling cost effective delivery support mechanism thus, facilitating a bigger objective of efficient coordination of environment services.

Under the overall guidance, direction and supervision of the Project Manager (PM), the Project Support Associate (PSA) will contribute to ensuring that the project activities are in compliance and up to date, and that reporting requirements to stakeholders are in line with defined project objectives. The PSA will be responsible to provide support for all operational aspects of the project, including but not limited to preparing and processing financial transactions, preparing budget and financial reports, and covering all aspects of finance, human resources, procurement, contracting and logistics, administration, outreach and stakeholder coordination in close consultation with the relevant colleagues.

Specific responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide support to the overall aspects of project operations related to finance, reporting, human resources, procurement, contract management,  logistics, and administration, among others
• In consultation with the PM, provide support on all matters relating to budget setup, financial management and administration in compliance with established policies, procedures, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR)
• Provide effective support to the PM on all issues relating project operations and implementation
• Ensure accuracy, consistency, filing and record keeping of all project documents in an efficient manner
• Prepare payment request packages, tranche requests, financial forecasts, project delivery reports as required by various stakeholders and legal commitments
• Provide efficient support in construction contract management, goods contract management and all matters relating to successful supervision and management of contracts and purchase orders
• Prepare and maintain the project budget and related purchase orders, receipts according to UNOPS rules and regulations and ensure completeness of required supporting documents
• Liaise with UNOPS support service units for project-related administrative and operational matters such as requisitions, payments, contract management, recruitment of personnel, procurement of goods and services and assets management
• Support PM in work plan development, update and monitoring
• Monitor all critical project financial indicators and alert PM in case of deviations
• Prepare budget revisions in consultation with relevant colleagues
• Provide input for the narrative progress reports and other reporting/outreach products as requested by the PM
• Ensure smooth operational and financial closure of the project, settlement of any pending contractual and financial commitments, full receipt of donor/client contributions, assets disposition, personnel separation, among others
• Facilitate execution of any and all project issues as may be required for efficient implementation 

• High School Diploma, with 6 years of progressively responsible experience in providing administrative and project operational support in the areas of financial management, human resources, procurement, logistics, contract management, assets management, and administration, or Bachelor’s Degree in Public or Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Management, Economics, Law, Accounting with two (2) years of progressively relevant working experience.
• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations preferred
• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English is required

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.