Project Management Support - Specialist

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

To strengthen the effective and efficient delivery of ongoing and future projects, AFCO seeks a Project Management Support Specialist with a primary focus on project implementation support and with some support to business development functions as required.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme or the Project Manager, the Project Management Support Specialist will provide technical and strategic support to ensure high-quality implementation of UNOPS projects in accordance with organizational standards and donor expectations. 

The incumbent is also expected to support the PMO/Project Management function by assisting in addressing operational gaps, where required, following consultation and agreement with the supervisor.

The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme or the Project Manager to ensure that projects meet their intended outcomes, are implemented to the highest standard of project management practices, and meet partner satisfaction. The incumbent will leverage their experience in one or more of the following functional areas: project management, infrastructure project management, and grant management, to support programme delivery.

This role constitutes a pool of retainer personnel to be utilized as operational requirements dictate. While primarily supporting UNOPS Afghanistan, the incumbent may also be requested to provide support to other country offices as necessary.

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. The Project Management Support Specialist provides analytical and operational support, tracks financial and performance data, identifies risks or implementation challenges, and coordinates timely solutions in collaboration with stakeholders. The role therefore contributes towards ensuring that projects achieve their intended objectives, strengthen partner relationships, and contribute to UNOPS’ operational goals.

Project Delivery and Performance

• Support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards.
• Coordinate day-to-day project operations to ensure timely delivery of outputs and adherence to UNOPS and donor/partner requirements.
• 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 to ensure compliance and value for money.
• Embed sustainability principles - including gender equality, social inclusion and environmental considerations - across project activities.
• Contribute to the identification and development of new project opportunities or extensions of existing engagements.

Financial and Procurement Management

• Support financial planning, monitoring and reporting to ensure effective budget utilization and cost control in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Manage cash flow, expenditures and financial commitments, ensuring timely disbursements and accurate financial reporting.
• Support procurement and grant management processes, including preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), evaluation of bids, and contract administration.
• Coordinate with finance and procurement teams to ensure compliance, transparency, and proper documentation of transactions.
• Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits, ensuring implementation of recommendations.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery and alignment with project objectives.
• Support the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans, ensuring timely and consistent information sharing.
• Facilitate internal coordination among project teams, technical experts and support functions.
• Represent the project in meetings, consultations and external engagements as delegated by the supervisor.

Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Monitor project performance against agreed indicators, preparing progress, financial and completion reports in accordance with UNOPS and donor/partner standards.
• 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, coordinating corrective action as required.

Personnel Management (as applicable)

• Assist in supervising, guiding and motivating project team members to achieve high performance and accountability.
• Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and performance management of personnel, ensuring gender balance and diversity principles are upheld.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment that aligns with UNOPS’ zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, discrimination and harassment.
• Ensure compliance with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) safety and security standards for all project staff and operations.

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 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 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.

• 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.