Project Management Support Officer

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

A project under the UNOPS HAMCO Ethiopia Transactional Unit has been extended until 31 July 2027. Continued project management support is required during the extension period to ensure effective coordination, monitoring and implementation of the remaining activities, maintain operational continuity, and facilitate the timely and successful completion of the project.

The UNOPS HAMCO Ethiopia Transactional Unit manages a diverse portfolio of projects involving procurement, logistics, project management and operational support services for government institutions, development partners and other stakeholders.

The Project Management Support Officer is a short-term position (8 months) established to ensure continuity of essential project management support functions.

Working under the supervision of the Senior Portfolio Manager, the incumbent will support the Transactional Unit in project monitoring, financial tracking, reporting, risk and issue management, compliance and coordination with project teams and relevant support services units.

The position is intended to address immediate operational needs, maintain the quality and timeliness of project management support services, and contribute to the efficient delivery of the Transactional Unit's portfolio during the temporary staffing arrangement.

The Project Management Support Officer provides operational, analytical and administrative support to ensure effective planning, implementation and monitoring of projects in line with UNOPS policies and client/partner requirements. The incumbent supports data management, reporting, procurement, financial and/or logistical activities that contribute to efficient project delivery. The role collects, validates and analyzes project data, generating insights and reports to inform evidence-based decision-making and enhance performance. The Project Management Support Officer facilitates coordination among project teams, partners and support services units, ensuring timely implementation of activities and compliance with established procedures. The incumbent may also undertake field missions to support data collection, training and stakeholder engagement, helping strengthen project systems, processes and reporting tools.

Data Management, Analysis and Reporting

• Collect, clean, structure and validate project data to ensure accuracy, consistency and reliability.
• Develop and maintain databases, dashboards and information management systems for real-time project tracking.
• Conduct statistical and qualitative analysis to identify trends, generate insights and inform decision-making.
• Support preparation of analytical and visual reports, briefs and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
• Implement automated tools and visualization systems, e.g. Power BI, Looker Studio, etc, to enhance data accessibility and interpretation.
• Ensure rigorous data quality checks and validation of data sources and tools.

Project Implementation and Operational Support

• Support project planning, budgeting and execution, ensuring adherence to UNOPS procedures and client/donor requirements.
• Prepare project documentation, including Terms of Reference (ToRs), agreements, budgets and procurement requests
• Assist in the coordination of workshops, missions, and stakeholder consultations, including travel and logistical arrangements
• Liaise with support service units on procurement, contracting and payment processes, ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards.
• Track project milestones, outputs and deliverables, and alert management to delays or risks.

Procurement, Financial and Administrative Coordination

• Support the preparation and monitoring of procurement and workshop plans, ensuring alignment with project needs.
• Conduct market research, support solicitation processes, and assist in bid evaluation and contract administration.
• Monitor project budget utilization, review financial reports, and maintain accurate documentation for audits and reporting.
• Process travel, expense claims, and related financial transactions in compliance with organizational policies.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Strategic Decision Support

• Develop and maintain monitoring systems and tools to track progress against work plans and performance indicators.
• Contribute to the development of predictive and analytical models to support strategic planning and forecasting.
• Support internal evaluations and data-driven performance reviews to assess project outcomes and impact.
• Provide timely inputs for donor and corporate reporting, ensuring analytical rigour and compliance with reporting standards

Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Support 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

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in project management or related areas.  
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

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