Project Support Associate

Background Information Pakistan

UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in 1999 and significantly up-scaled activities from 2005 onwards to support populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the most devastating flood in the nation’s history.

UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project management and related monitoring and verification, community development, fund management, and procurement. Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, and sustainable project management.

UNOPS is based in Islamabad and has a provincial office in Peshawar. In addition, UNOPS is administrating Global Environment Facility (GEF) small grants on behalf of UNDP to support community led projects in Baluchistan. Similarly, UNOPS is also acting as the Local Fund Agent of the Global Fund. In Pakistan, UNOPS monitors a grant portfolio of $600,000,000 by undertaking regular and mandatory field visits across the country including FATA to provide independent monitoring of the activities carried out by the grantees of the Global Fund.

Under the overall guidance, direction and supervision of the Project Manager, 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 for monitoring both administrative operations and financial transactions, preparing and updating financial reports, providing information and bringing to attention issues related to the project’s support operations. Specific responsibilities and duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide support to the overall aspects of project operations related to finance, human resources, security, IT among others
• In consultation with the Project Manager, provide support on all matters relating to financial management and administration in compliance with established procedures, SOPs and the UNOPS Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR)
• Provide effective support and accurate guidance to the Project Manager on all issues relating to UNOPS support-service functions
• Ensure accuracy, consistency and applicability of supporting documents (project document, budget, awards, contract validity)
• Prepare payment requests and necessary supporting documents (financial forecasts and/or Project Delivery Reports) for submittal in accordance with project agreements
• Prepare and maintain the operational budget according to UNOPS financial management systems and ensure completeness of required supporting documents
• Liaise with UNOPS support service offices for project-related administrative and operational matters such as payments, contract management, recruitment of personnel, procurement of goods and services and assets management
• Ensure all business processes are backed up by required supporting documents and maintain an effective records system
• Ensure conformity of project disbursement requests with UNOPS FRR, work plans and availability of resources/funds for disbursement
• Receive, review and process recruitment requests, certification of payments and other forms of requisitions from the project office, project team or through designated recipients
• Raise requisitions for procurement, and facilitate requests for issuance of contracts and/or amendments on documents.
• Commit funds through purchase orders (PO) in one UNOPS financial system in accordance with SOPs
• Prepare updated financial reports in compliance with reporting requirements to donors, or as specified in the agreement (i.e. Project Delivery Reports; Financial Monitoring Reports, Financial analysis on monthly and quarterly basis, progress Reports, etc).
• Prepare budget, budget revisions, engagement in ERP-OU in consultation with the Project Manager and Finance Section
• Provide input for the narrative progress reports and other reporting requirements as requested by the Project Manager
• Prepare the project’s operational and financial completion requirements – e.g. financial and narrative completion reports, settlement of any pending contractual and financial obligations/commitments, full receipt of donor/client contributions, assets disposition, personnel separation, among others
• In consultation with finance, coordinate with Bank for processing and tracking routine transactions.
• Support the effective delivery and implementation of procurement services in coordination with the Project Manager and the Procurement and ensure that administration of logistics and assets management are in compliance with established rules and regulations
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned

Education

• Secondary education required. Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Commerce, Finance, Management, Economics, Accounting, Public Administration or a relevant field would be an asset.

Experience

• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience in providing administrative and project operational support in the areas of finance, human resources, procurement, logistics and assets management, among others. A Bachelor’s Degree in with relevant years of experience may be accepted in lieu.
• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations preferred
• Prior experience in multi-stage reporting and project closure is desirable

• 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.  
• This post is open to Pakistan nationals only.

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.

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.