UNOPS

The Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR), based in Geneva, is responsible for the effective management, coordination and oversight of UNOPS operations across the region. The ECR region spans the Western Balkans, Ukraine and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Türkiye, where UNOPS works with partners to achieve sustainable impact in health, education, environmental management, housing, rule of law, good governance, economic development, and social inclusion. With a wealth of experience in procurement, infrastructure, project and grant management, UNOPS in the region directly implements projects, provides technical advisory services and capacity building to advance the Sustainable Development Goals in support of national governments.

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

The Blueing the Caspian Sea (BCSP) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, aims to strengthen pollution monitoring systems and biodiversity planning in priority sites of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. UNOPS has been selected as the Executing Agency to support governments in improving the quality, consistency, and comparability of environmental data, as well as enhancing the management of critical marine and coastal ecosystems.

The project consists of three components:

1. Strengthening pollution monitoring

2. Strengthening biodiversity planning

3. Project coordination, monitoring, and evaluation

Component 1 focuses on establishing the state of pollution at a regional level by developing systemic approaches for monitoring, assessing, and acting on the critical impact of pollution (on biodiversity, ecosystem health, and water quality) across the three countries. Additionally, it aims to provide technical assistance to facilitate national-level consultative and collaborative mechanisms for private and public sectors within the oil and gas industry to engage with other sectors active in the Caspian Sea.

Component 2 focuses on biodiversity monitoring and planning. It will achieve this by conducting studies on keystone species and analyzing existing institutions and regulatory frameworks. The component will also offer technical assistance for creating management plans for protected areas and will develop conservation and evaluation measures for flagship species, specifically the Caspian seal and sturgeon populations.

Component 3 focuses on the technical implementation of project activities. This includes project activity planning, procuring technical assistance, monitoring and evaluating project results, generating progress reports, and managing ESF compliance, which involves establishing a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

The Blueing the Caspian Sea (BCSP) project, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the World Bank, aims to strengthen pollution monitoring systems and biodiversity planning in priority sites of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan. UNOPS has been selected as the Executing Agency to support governments in improving the quality, consistency, and comparability of environmental data, as well as enhancing the management of critical marine and coastal ecosystems.

The project consists of three components:

1. Strengthening pollution monitoring

2. Strengthening biodiversity planning

3. Project coordination, monitoring, and evaluation

Component 1 focuses on establishing the state of pollution at a regional level by developing systemic approaches for monitoring, assessing, and acting on the critical impact of pollution (on biodiversity, ecosystem health, and water quality) across the three countries. Additionally, it aims to provide technical assistance to facilitate national-level consultative and collaborative mechanisms for private and public sectors within the oil and gas industry to engage with other sectors active in the Caspian Sea.

Component 2 focuses on biodiversity monitoring and planning. It will achieve this by conducting studies on keystone species and analyzing existing institutions and regulatory frameworks. The component will also offer technical assistance for creating management plans for protected areas and will develop conservation and evaluation measures for flagship species, specifically the Caspian seal and sturgeon populations.

Component 3 focuses on the technical implementation of project activities. This includes project activity planning, procuring technical assistance, monitoring and evaluating project results, generating progress reports, and managing ESF compliance, which involves establishing a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM).

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Project Support Officer will be responsible for supporting the day-to-day management of the project, including its plans, issues, risks and lessons, escalating any issues or concerns, as necessary. The incumbent will work closely with AUMCO shared support units, and all project partners and stakeholders in all aspects relating to general project management. The Project Support Officer will support the Senior Programme Manager in ensuring full compliance with all relevant UNOPS Rules and regulations as well as the partners’s regulations in line with the financing agreement.  

The Project Management Support Senior Officer supports the effective implementation, coordination and monitoring of project activities to ensure successful delivery of results within scope, time, cost and quality parameters. The role provides analytical and operational support in project planning, execution and reporting; contributes to risk and performance management; and ensures timely communication with partners and stakeholders. Through proactive client focus and problem-solving, the Senior Officer helps drive efficient project delivery and achievement of results in line with organizational and donor/ client expectations.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 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.