Project Management Support Senior Associate (Maternity Cover)

The UNOPS Middle East Region (MR) provides strategic leadership, performance oversight, and support to UNOPS operations across Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and the State of Palestine. MR is responsible for positioning UNOPS as a key development partner in the region through high-level engagement with regional bodies, UN coordination mechanisms, development banks, donors, and intergovernmental organisations. By fostering strategic partnerships and promoting operational excellence, the region supports country teams in delivering sustainable solutions to complex development, peace, and humanitarian challenges

Established in 2004, the UNOPS Amman Multi-Country Office (MCO) provides strategic and operational support to partners across Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and the Gulf countries. The MCO delivers solutions that address development, peace, and humanitarian challenges through infrastructure, procurement, project management, and human resources services. Working in close collaboration with national governments, UN agencies, and donors, the office supports efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Its portfolio includes large-scale operations focused on improving essential services, strengthening national systems, and enhancing resilience in complex and fragile settings.

UNOPS has been active in Iraq since 2004, supporting national recovery and development efforts through infrastructure, procurement, and capacity-building services. UNOPS has implemented a wide range of projects aimed at improving living conditions, enhancing safety, and promoting resilience, particularly in conflict-affected areas. Our projects support in renewable energy, solid waste management, demining, and rehabilitation of war-damaged infrastructure. UNOPS projects in Iraq also support national systems by equipping institutions, delivering technical training, and empowering civil society organizations through targeted grants. Operating in close partnership with the Government of Iraq, international donors, local stakeholders, and UN partners, the office contributes to stability, recovery, and sustainable development across the country

This position operates within the Local Infrastructure in Rural Anbar (LIRA III) project, a three-year initiative aimed at improving basic living conditions for returnees in rural areas of Al-Anbar governorate and Sinjar. The project focuses on rehabilitating up to 2,000 housing units and restoring decentralized services such as solar street lighting, community roads, and water and sanitation networks. The Project Management Support Senior Associate will play a crucial role in ensuring efficient and effective project delivery, adhering to corporate standards and policies, and supporting the Senior Project Manager in all aspects of project implementation and financial oversight.

The Project Management Support Senior Associate manages and integrates several related processes within the LIRA III project, providing comprehensive support to the Senior Project Manager. This role ensures the quality, timeliness, and accuracy of project monitoring, reporting, implementation, and financial and administrative support services, applying professional principles to manage the service and formulating proposals for improvement.

1. Project monitoring and reporting

• i. Electronic Blue File. Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents on the shared drive as per the organization guideline for record keeping. ii. Upload on oneUNOPS (ERP), oneUNOPSprojects engagement and project level files when required. iii) Ensure compliance with financial rules and regulations, procurement, HR and other support services guidelines and procedures of the organization. 

• 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; 

• Ensure  conformity  of  project  disbursement  requests  with  procedures,  work  plans,  and availability of resources for expenditure. 

• Take minutes of project-related meetings and follow up on action points.

2. Project Implementation

• Support  the  Senior  Project  Manager  in  ensuring  UNOPS  Policies  and  Procedures, Financial  Rules  and  Regulations  (FRR)  are  adhered  to  for  efficient  project implementation and progress. 

• Maintain  project  tracking  sheet  and  alert  the  Senior  Project  Manager  on  project  end  date and reporting requirements of projects. 

• Support  the  implementation  teams  with  preparation  of  contractors’  invoices  and  related processes. 

• Monitor  and  record  best  practices  and  innovative  approaches  within  UNOPS  FRR; identify and show alternative options according to activity needs.

• In  consultation  with  the  relevant  stakeholders,  assist  the  Senior  Project  Manager  in preparing amendments of Agreements and Budget revisions when applicable. 

• Facilitate information flows and support in managing risk registers and issues. 

• Support the documentation of lessons learned and best practices. 

• Assist  the  project  planning  process  in  the  areas  of  administrative  and  support  services such as procurement planning, human resources planning, financial forecasting etc. 

•  In  consultation  with  Senior  Project  Manager,  follow  up  with  partners  on  project  agreement signing,  monthly  invoices  verification,  information  required  for  project  closure  and  fund transfer requests when applicable.

3. Operational and administrative support

• Review input of financial information, expenditures etc. in oneUNOPS. 

• Support development and maintenance of oneUNOPS 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.

• Liaise with finance and logistics/procurement units in tracking commitments and disbursements. 

•  Assist the Project Manager in monitoring all HR requirements and related activities under the Project. 

•  Supports the 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.

•  Supports the organization of induction briefings to newly recruited staff and render support to consultants in the course of their assignment.

•  Support and review submissions for Contracts, Purchase orders, Waivers and related documents prior to final approval. 

• Contribute to organizing project and stakeholder meetings as and when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings.

• Maintain records of project files and reports according to UNOPS document management guidelines.

4. Project Management and Financial Support Services

• Supports the preparation of detailed project budget forecasts and periodic financial reports, including data collection, and drafting of financial summaries when needed, or requested. 

• Review weekly Activity reports and quarterly financial reports with respect to outputs based on work plans and budget forecasts. 

• Identify operational, administrative, financial and other bottlenecks that may impede project delivery; recommend solutions and take appropriate remedial action. 

• Upon instruction of the project manager, undertake field missions as required. 

• Coordinate with the internal procurement and logistic team on all transport, inventory, Assets and procurement issues in for direct support of the project and in support of Project Management Team. 

• Manage the travel plan of the Project Team, manage travel booking, and coordinate with the Admin Team for DSA and other related requirements for travel. - Establish and monitor an internal control system for all administrative actions.

5. Knowledge management and innovation

• In consultation with Senior Project Manager, support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format and monitor its implementation.

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.

• Support that local capacities are built at every level and opportunity for Project Support. 

• Maintain records of project files and activity reports in hard and soft copy

Required

• Completion of secondary school, preferably in Finance  or Accounting, Project Management, Business Administration, Management, or a related field, is required

• A bachelor's degree with an additional 3 years of relevant experience is required

Desired

• PRINCE2® certification is an asset.

Required

•   A  minimum of seven  (7)  years of  relevant  and  progressive  professional  experience, preferably  in  the  field  of  Administration  and  Financial  Management  with  focus  on accounting,  budget  preparation,  monitoring,  recording,  reporting,  and  coordination  is required. OR  BA with additional three (3) years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Experience working with the Google Suite platform including Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides. 

•  Demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Project Management, Finance, HR Management and administrative rules and regulations

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.