Skip to content

General Information

Position Title
Project Management Support - Specialist
Job Category
Project
Duty Station(s)
Home based
Seniority Level
Mid Level
ICS Level
ICS 10
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Retainer
Contract Level
IICA 2
Posting Start Date
11-Feb-2026
Posting End Date
25-Feb-2026
Duration
Until 31 Dec 2026 with possibility of extension subject to project needs, satisfactory performance and budget availability.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to UNOPS’ mission by developing impactful partnerships and ensuring the highest standards of project and financial management. The position offers the opportunity to work on diverse projects, interact with key stakeholders across the UN system, and implement best practices that maximize project performance.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding - including in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners - including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies - to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.


Our thematic focus spans climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development, and humanitarian action, supporting high-impact initiatives across critical global priorities.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Not Required - part of GPO/NYPO

Job Specific Context

Contract duration: Retainer ICA – Until 31 December 2026 with possibility of extension subject to project needs, satisfactory performance and budget availability.

 A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently. The individual contractor agreement on retainer basis will specify a “unit price” per day worked. For budgetary purposes, a monetary cap will be determined when the contract is awarded and issued. Please note that the retainer contract will not provide for a minimum, and payment will be made only after completion of work.

Even though the level of the position is indicated as IICA 2, depending on the incumbent's personal situation (candidate with national ID or resident permit in duty station), a local fee scale (LICA-10) might be applied in determining the contractor's fee.

The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Role Purpose

The Project Management Support Specialist supports the Senior Portfolio Manager, Programme Management Advisor and Project Managers within UNTSS with existing and potential new partners and project opportunities by supporting negotiations, drafting of proposals, costing scenarios, creating the Implementation Plan(s), using relevant Project Initiation Document(s) (PID), Legal Agreement(s) and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s).

Functions / Key Results Expected

  1. Resource Mobilization and Donor Engagement


  • Support the design and implementation of resource mobilization strategies.

  • Contribute to the diversification of the donor base through targeted outreach and engagement with governments, multilateral agencies, private-sector entities, philanthropies and foundations.

  • Leverage funding opportunities within the UN system, including UN-administered trust funds and joint programmes.

  • Support the development of concept notes, proposals and donor briefs.

  • Explore and pilot innovative financing mechanisms, such as crowdfunding, impact investment, and blended finance to expand resource channels.

  • Facilitate strategic engagement with private-sector partners aimed at promoting core and long-term funding as well as in-kind contributions.

  • Represent UNOPS at resource mobilization events, fora and strategic meetings, articulating the organization’s value proposition effectively.

  • Support data collection and analysis on financial and in-kind contributions to strengthen reporting and donor visibility. 


  1. Partnership Brokering and Relationship Management


  • Provide brokering and facilitation support throughout the partnership lifecycle - from scoping and building to management, review and sustainability of partnerships.

  • Strengthen collaboration between UNOPS offices, partners, and external stakeholders, fostering shared ownership and long-term impact.

  • Encourage and model value-based partnership principles grounded in transparency, mutual benefit, and innovation.

  • Actively represent UNOPS in inter-agency coordination mechanisms, partnership networks and external fora.



  1. Project Set-Up and Closure


  • Facilitate the preparation of high-level project and programme plans, consolidating lower-level plans into integrated milestones.

  • Develop, monitor and maintain project dependencies and interdependencies.

  • Provide support on project assets, finance and administrative matters throughout the project lifecycle.

  • Serve as the focal point for project closure activities.

  • Oversee closure processes, ensuring the proper disposal of assets, final operating, initiation of financial disbursements during Defects Liability Periods and handover of projects to HQ for final financial closure.

  • Ensure timely updates of project information in UNOPS systems (e.g. oneUNOPS).


  1. 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.



  1. 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


  1. Knowledge Management and Innovation


  • Implement standards, tools and templates provided by HQ to strengthen partnership and project development within the team, enhancing UNOPS’ effectiveness as a trusted provider of project services for sustainable results.

  • Contribute to research, development and application of best practices and innovative approaches that maximize performance and ensure long-term impact in project and partnership development.

  • Build partnership capacity and negotiation skills among Project Managers, enabling stronger engagement with stakeholders.

  • Facilitate knowledge sharing by contributing to the dissemination of lessons learned and best practices in project and partnership development, supporting organizational learning and planning.

  • Provide regular feedback on systems, tools and resources to strengthen their effectiveness and ensure continuous improvement.

Skills

International Organizations, Project Coordination, Project Management, Stakeholder Management, Project Team Management
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:

  • Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, International Relations, Finance, Economics or other relevant disciplines with 5 years of relevant experience is required OR

  • A first level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, International Relations, Finance, Economics or other relevant disciplines with 7 years of relevant experience


Desired:

  • Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation PMI or equivalent) is an asset.

Experience Requirements

Required:

  • Relevant experience is defined as experience in a Project/Programme Management role in the delivery of development projects 

  • A minimum of one (1) year work experience in partnership development, relationship management, or proposal writing.



Desired:

  • Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, tools, and systems is highly desirable. 

  • Working knowledge of project management software tools and applications is an asset;

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.