Overview
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.
Tasks Summary
- Design and develop projects and initiatives related to education and social inclusion.
- Support in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of project activities.
- Coordinate day-to-day project operations.
- 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.
- Embed sustainability principles across project activities.
- Contribute to the identification and development of new project opportunities.
- Conduct needs assessments and stakeholder consultations.
- Draft project proposals, concept notes, and funding applications.
- Prepare progress reports, donor reports, and briefing notes.
- Maintain accurate records of project activities, budgets, and documentation.
- Support financial planning, monitoring, and reporting.
- Manage cash flow, expenditures, and financial commitments.
- Support procurement and grant management processes.
- Coordinate with finance and procurement teams.
- Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits.
- Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities, and other stakeholders.
- Support the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans.
- Facilitate internal coordination among project teams, technical experts, and support functions.
- Represent the project in meetings, consultations, and external engagements.
- Monitor project performance against agreed indicators.
- Conduct data analysis and provide inputs for management decisions and strategic planning.
- Ensure quality assurance processes are applied to all deliverables, documents and outputs.
- Support compliance with internal audit and quality standards.
- Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management.
- Develop knowledge products, including toolkits, guidelines, and case studies.
- Organize training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
- Provide substantive content to syllabus of training modules and identify experts in designing those modules.
- Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs).
Experience Requirements
- A minimum of two (2) years of work experience with international organizations or international non-governmental organizations.
- Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems.
- Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country (desired).
- Experience in development or humanitarian contexts (desired).
- Proven knowledge of international relations, particularly matters related to the United Nations, and intercultural issues, including trends in cross-cultural dialogue and international education (desired).
- Knowledge of youth issues, international education issues, and gender issues in an international context (desired).
- Experience with research management, analysis, and drafting of documents on complex issues (desired).
- IT proficiency, including familiarity with tools and platforms supporting digital innovation and data-driven decision-making (desired).
- Proven expertise in one or more of the following areas: data analytics, digital innovation, foresight methodologies, behavioral science, or organizational culture change (desired).
Qualification Requirements
- Advanced University degree (Masters’s degree or equivalent) preferably in international relations, international education, social science, human rights, public policy or in a field related to the post description with five (5) years of relevant experience is required.
- OR A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) preferably in international relations, international education, social science, human rights, public policy or in a field related to the post description with seven (7) years of relevant experience is desirable.
- A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired.
