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General Information

Position Title
Support Services Manager
Job Category
Support Services
Duty Station(s)
Bridgetown
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
23-Dec-2025
Posting End Date
11-Jan-2026
Duration
Ongoing contract subject to good performance, availability of funds, and organizational requirements.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to lead and manage support services within a dynamic international organization, contributing to the successful implementation of projects in the Caribbean region. The position offers a challenging and rewarding work environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development in operations management, financial oversight, and human resources management.

About the Region

In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

The Barbados Country Office is designed as a strategic vehicle to support Caribbean nations in the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), helping Caribbean leaders drive a global agenda on climate justice and financing.

The region, a complex archipelago of 13 sovereign states and numerous dependent territories, faces disproportionate vulnerabilities to economic shocks, natural disasters, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. In direct response to these challenges, UNOPS has designated operations in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a corporate priority for its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.

The Barbados Country Office’s primary mandate is to Speed Up and Scale Up engagements across 17 Caribbean SIDS, ensuring that partner expectations are met with agility and precision. Through dedicated operational presence, UNOPS Barbados Country Office will streamline complex regional logistics and foster stronger collaboration with sovereign governments and financial institutions in the Caribbean.

The Barbados Country Office will focus on, high-value solutions that address the specific priorities of the Caribbean SIDS, including:

  • Economy (Economic Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, Energy Transition)
  • Nature and Climate (Climate Action and Support, Biodiversity Action, Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Use)
  • Human Capital (Secure Safe and healthy societies, Productive populations, Gender equality and women's empowerment)
  • Infrastructure (Resilient infrastructure in Rule of Law, Health, Transportation, Education, etc.)
  • Improve countries project management capabilities as well as implementation capacity and project formulation to access just finance.

Job Specific Context

About the Barbados Country Office

The Barbados Country Office is designed as a strategic vehicle to support Caribbean nations in the implementation of the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS), helping Caribbean leaders drive a global agenda on climate justice and financing.

The region, a complex archipelago of 13 sovereign states and numerous dependent territories, faces disproportionate vulnerabilities to economic shocks, natural disasters, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. In direct response to these challenges, UNOPS has designated operations in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) as a corporate priority for its 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.

The Barbados Country Office’s primary mandate is to Speed Up and Scale Up engagements across 17 Caribbean SIDS, ensuring that partner expectations are met with agility and precision. Through dedicated operational presence, UNOPS Barbados Country Office will streamline complex regional logistics and foster stronger collaboration with sovereign governments and financial institutions in the Caribbean.

The Barbados Country Office will focus on, high-value solutions that address the specific priorities of the Caribbean SIDS, including:

  • Economy (Economic Resilience, Disaster Risk Reduction, Energy Transition)
  • Nature and Climate (Climate Action and Support, Biodiversity Action, Ocean Conservation and Sustainable Use)
  • Human Capital (Secure Safe and healthy societies, Productive populations, Gender equality and women's empowerment)
  • Infrastructure (Resilient infrastructure in Rule of Law, Health, Transportation, Education, etc.)
  • Improve countries project management capabilities as well as implementation capacity and project formulation to access just finance.

Job Specific Context

The Support Services Manager will oversee and manage all operational and support functions for the Barbados Country Office, ensuring compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies. This role is critical for providing effective and efficient support services to projects and activities, including HR management, finance, procurement, logistics, administration, and ICT services. The incumbent will also support project planning, financial management, and human resources management, contributing to the overall success and efficiency of the office.

Role Purpose

The Support Services Manager is responsible for the effective and efficient management of all operational and support functions for the Barbados Country office and associated projects across the Caribbean Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) , ensuring compliance with UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies. The incumbent will provide leadership and guidance to support teams, oversee financial management, procurement, HR, and ICT services, and contribute to the overall success of project delivery.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Operations Management

  • Manage the Operations/Support Services of the Office, namely HR Management, Finance, Procurement, Logistical, Administrative and ICT Services - facilitating effective, efficient and consistent support service provision to projects and all activities under the Office.
  • Support the Country Manager in establishing the management targets. Monitor their achievement.
  • Collaborate with relevant colleagues to identify the need, determine cost and proactively plan all Office support services.
  • Monitor and supervise all aspects of operations to ensure compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity and achievement of results. Ensure proper implementation of standards and operating procedures.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of support services to ensure optimum client service and satisfaction. Drive timely readjustment and improvements of the operations.
  • Seek relevant input in support, from e.g. HoSS in place for the Multi Country Office, IPAS, and Practice Groups.
  • Act as a focal point for any internal/external audit exercise.
  • Supervise the security-related matters and ensure full compliance with UNOPS security standards and procedures. Implementation of the Business continuity plan.


2. Project Planning and Coordination Support

  • Provide assistance and support to the project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.
  • Provide input into the early stages of project engagements.
  • Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance standards for projects and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing.
  • Provide advice on project cost sharing, deployment of funds and closure.
  • Closely liaise with the Head of Support Services for the Multi-Country Office, in order to optimise service delivery and address any issues.


3. Procurement and Logistics

  • Supervise the Office procurement processes, including tendering processes and evaluation and supplier selection, to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standards of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.
  • Establishment of a shortlist of suitable contractors/suppliers, and the preparation and issue of local tenders. Evaluation of bids or proposals received and of recommendations for contract awards.
  • In consultation with relevant colleagues, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments.
  • Provision of guidance on all logistics, asset management and procurement matters. Oversee the logistics of goods and equipment on project sites to confirm delivery and safe warehousing.
  • Establishment and management of a vehicle pool for providing transportation services as required by the Office, as well as to meet logistical needs.
  • Development and implementation of a vehicle management and maintenance system in accordance with UNOPS vehicle management policy and procedures.
  • Repair and maintenance for all equipment, including EDP equipment, communications equipment, vehicles and generators, etc.
  • Building management and maintenance activities.


4. Financial Management

  • Support the Country Director in the preparation of the Office's financial plan and budget. Ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds.
  • Oversee the Support Services finance unit and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures.
  • Monitor, track and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of financial resources.
  • Ensure the availability of required financial reports and exception reports, including investigating anomalies to resolve problems, reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.
  • Supervise the timely review, posting and closure of accounts. Certify/verify accuracy and compliance with the standards of the accountability framework. Submit/prepare mandated report on financial status.
  • Supervise all financial services (accounting, cash management, payments, etc.), ensuring timeliness and compliance with standards of accountability and performance.
  • Monitor the Management Budget expenditures for the Office and ensure that LMDC (Locally Managed Direct Cost) is properly recovered, billed and spent in accordance with the applicable procedures.


5. Human Resources Management

  • Oversee the Support Services HR Unit.
  • Ensure the Office complies with corporate human resources policies, procedures and that all corporate HR initiatives are correctly implemented.
  • Support the Country Director in planning personnel required for the optimal administration of the office and for the delivery of the Office portfolio.
  • Oversee all human resource services/processes, including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development, ensuring compliance with human resource rules, regulations, procedures and standards of performance and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
  • Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility. Definition of training plans for personnel involved in the delivery of support services.
  • Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.


6. Administration and Information Technology (ICT)

  • Manage the timely and efficient delivery of all administrative services (e.g. centralised project admin, premises and asset management, organisational and personnel security, travel and IT).
  • Full compliance of operations of the Country with UNOPS rules, regulations and policies, on administrative matters and supervision of the administrative team.
  • Maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries, supervision of the ICT Associate.
  • In close collaboration with HQ and HoSS for the Multi Country Office, support the maintenance of a secure and reliable ICT environment, including adequate plans for disaster recovery.
  • Manage the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
  • Identify opportunities for leveraging the use of IT to enhance business operations and efficiency, and to facilitate knowledge management and information sharing.


7. Knowledge Management

  • Knowledge building and sharing with regard to management and operations in the Office, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS knowledge management initiatives.
  • Development of tools and platforms for operations and data management, ensuring information and knowledge sharing with colleagues, clients and partners.


Skills

Human Resources Management, Knowledge Management, Operations Management, Problem Solving, Procurement, Finance Management, Effective communication
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, HR or related field with 5 years of relevant experience. 

  • A Bachelor's degree with 7 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in operations management in a large international organisation.


Desired

  • Some experience in the UN system organisations, preferably in a developing country.

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
  • Please note that 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. 
  • Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
  • UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
  • Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
  • We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • 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.