Project Management Support Officer
JOB DETAIL
The UNOPS South Sudan Office helps a wide range of local and international partners improve the lives of the South Sudanese people by implementing infrastructure and procurement projects. All UNOPS operations have an increasing emphasis on developing national capacities and considering gender, environmental and community concerns. UNOPS is working in a range of sectors in South Sudan including: transport, education, health, post-conflict stabilization and emergency response.
Background Information – Project:
Ethiopia Multi-country Office (ETMCO) – South Sudan Country Office (SCCO), will be implementing the PRODUCTIVE SAFETY NET FOR SOCIOECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES PROJECT (SNSOP) is a Government project funded by the World Bank (WB) to address existing challenges of soaring levels of poverty, vulnerability, unemployment and idleness, particularly amongst youth. The development objectives of the project are to provide cash transfers and access to income generating opportunities and strengthen the National Safety Net Delivery System. SNSOP has main four components namely:
(i) Cash Transfers;
(ii) Provision of Economic Opportunities;
(iii) Strengthened Institutional Capacity and Social Protection System; and
(iv) Project Management, M&E, and Knowledge Generation.
The project will be targeting the most vulnerable segments of the South Sudanese population aiming to benefit in excess of one hundred and fifty seven thousand and five hundred (157,500) beneficiary Households (HH) in 20 vulnerable locations across the country.
Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Project Manager (DPM), the incumbent is required to monitor all aspects of project progress and implementation, identify operational and financial problems at the county level. This will be done with the main focus on project Implementation, budget management and project closure at the local level.
Summary of key functions:
- Project Implementation
- Project monitoring and reporting
- Stakeholder management, coordination and liaison
- Knowledge management and innovation
1. Project Implementation:
- The Project Management Support Officer (PMSO) will be responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of the project at the field level.
- The PMSO shall oversee, support and supervise the team in the field.
- Lead all administration and financial aspects of the project.
- Maintain thorough knowledge of the project, as well as an understanding of how that impacts the other stakeholders.
- Monitor, coordinate, and communicate strategic objectives of the project.
- Facilitate communications for project related issues.
- Work with project staff members to develop a greater understanding of the project and any issues that arise.
- Develop and foster relationships between UN, stakeholders, and other entities.
- Collect, analyze, and utilize data and feedback to identify opportunities to improve the relationship between UN and the donors.
- Compile reports about particular incidents, events, or updates about important issue for the project.
- Proactively solve conflicts and address issues that could occur between parties.
- Carry out any other duties and projects as required by the Project Manager.
2. Project Monitoring and Reporting:
- Provide substantive inputs to assist the Deputy Project Manager (DPM) in the preparation of project reports and documents;
- Assist the DPM in the preparation of project completion reports and ensure compliance with contractual obligations;
- Randomly visit at least 30% of work sites and payment centers each month and prepare a report on each one of them to inform management action towards meeting set standards;
- Review the field staff work plans and reviewing reports to ensure numerical accuracy to reflect the work done.
3. Stakeholder Management, Coordination and Liaison:
- Ensure that UNOPS is adequately engages with the all institutional arrangements at state and county level, local leadership structure, and that project information and all advocacy issues are communicated as necessary.
- Coordinate with the cash service provider, liaise with the relevant local authorities and any other partners in order to implement the project activities.
- Support the coordination and management of communications.
- Liaise and build relationships between UNOPS and the donor for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of information analysis.
- Participate in meetings with UN agencies, NGO’s and other stakeholders as required.
4. Knowledge Management and Innovation:
- Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format.
- Ensure that Local capacities are built at every level and opportunity for project support.
- Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
- Frequently brief and consult with the Deputy Project Manager (DPM) to mitigate any risks associated with the project implementation.
5. Cash Management and Treasury. Provides substantive review, contributions, and support towards achievement of the following:
- Timely review of cash position for project activities in the field to ensure sufficient funds on hand for activities.
- Liaise with the Finance Analyst and Finance Senior Assistant in Juba to coordinate cash needs of the project and ensure timeliness in liquidation of activities.
- Be the custodian of the Operational Advances (OAs) and Petty Cash (PC) to be issued for activities.
- Maintain a register or ledger for both petty cash and OAs to ensure ease of review and accountability.
Impact of Results
The Project Management Support Officer (PMSO) directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting the DPM to adhere to project management methods and strategies, reduced risks, cut costs and improved success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.
| Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion. |
| 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. |
| 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). |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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:
- A first level university degree (Bachelors Degree) in Business Administration or Logistics or Project Management or Emergency Management or International Relations, or other relevant discipline is required.
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in Business Administration or Logistics or Project Management or Emergency Management or International Relations, or other relevant discipline is an added advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of two (2) years of work experience in the field of Project/Programme Management or Operation Management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination is required.
- Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, donors, security, and operations management is an asset.
- Experience and knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Procurement and/or Finance and/or HR Management and/or administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage.
- Experience working in post-conflict or conflict situations is an advantage.
- Skills in Financial Management is an advantage.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and oral English is required.
- Knowledge of Arabic Language is desired.
Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist-8 (ICS8)
Contract duration: 12 months with possibility of extension, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and necessity of services.
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- 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.
- These positions are based in Rumbek South, Malakal and Leer in South Sudan.
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. For more information on a retainer contract 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.
