Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

The Programme Management Office (PMO) offers decision-enabling and delivery support to AFCO, helping the leadership team in shaping a balanced country-wide programme portfolio and ensuring consistent project delivery and adherence to organizational standards.

It serves as AFCO's overall project assurance capacity and actively contributes to achieving the organization's vision and mission.The PMO strongly contributes to moving the Country Office toward achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

Support Strategic Planning: This function aims to assist AFCO senior management in effective decision-making. The PMO supports this by offering strategic planning assistance, monitoring and coordinating key performance indicators (KPIs), preparing management reports, and conducting detailed reviews upon request.

Delivery Support (doing projects the right way): This function focuses on supporting delivery of the AFCO Programme. Activities may include providing support for start-up of projects, planning and closing projects. The PMO coordinates program functions including project assurance and health checks, and may provide temporary resources for surge needs.

Centre of Excellence (doing projects consistently and well): The PMO ensures the application of UNOPS project management standards by providing training on tools, systems, and processes, tailoring best practices to meet AFCO’s specific needs.

Under the supervision of the Head of PMO (PMO Specialist) the PMO Analyst will be expected to provide support to assure the procedures are embedded into the program management of UNOPS AFCO and are applied consistently across all projects as per UNOPS corporate guidelines, procedures, and policies. The PMO Analyst will support the PMO so that the monitoring of funds and projects is carried out regularly to ensure accomplishment of set targets and results for projects/portfolios, and delivery of services as per the agreed terms and conditions and on time. The position also will be involved and assists in the quality control for management products (project documents, reports, etc.), ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded in ouP, Google Drive as per UNOPS policies (PMM) and country office specific procedures.

Role Purpose

The Project Management Office (PMO) Analyst provides analytical and administrative support to project and programme management processes, applying established procedures, standards and methodologies. The incumbent contributes to data collection, analysis, documentation and coordination activities across the project lifecycle. The role also focuses on ensuring that project information is accurate, timely and aligned with organizational requirements. 

Functions / Key Results Expected

Development and Planning Support

• Assist in the preparation of project plans, budgets, schedules and risk registers, ensuring alignment with corporate templates and standards.
• Compile and validate baseline data, resource inputs and other information required for project planning and design.
• Support the development of simple tools and trackers for resource allocation and delivery forecasting.
• Maintain updated records of project documentation and assist in the review of project initiation materials for completeness. 
• Support the identification of basic risks and issues by gathering information and presenting it to supervisors for analysis.

Project Set-Up and Closure Support

• Provide administrative and logistical support to the initiation and closure of projects, ensuring compliance with UNOPS procedures.
• Maintain project documentation in corporate systems (e.g. oneUNOPS) and ensure data accuracy.
• Assist in tracking project milestones and closure requirements, including asset transfer lists, final reports and archiving of documentation.
• Support coordination between project teams and support services during start-up and closure activities.

Monitoring and Reporting Support

• Collect, compile and verify project performance data for inclusion in progress reports and dashboards.
• Prepare summary tables, charts and visuals to support performance analyses.
• Assist in ensuring that project performance indicators and milestones are regularly updated in corporate systems.
• Conduct preliminary checks for data consistency, completeness and accuracy, flagging any discrepancies for supervisor review.
• Support routine report preparation for management and donor requirements.

Stakeholder Engagement Assistance

• Assist in maintaining stakeholder contact lists and profiles, and support the preparation of communication materials and reports.
• Coordinate logistical arrangements for meetings, workshops and training sessions.
• Prepare meeting minutes, notes and summaries of discussions to ensure accurate documentation of decisions and follow-up actions.
• Support internal communication within the PMO, ensuring timely distribution and filing of relevant information.

Quality Assurance and Compliance Support

• Verify the completeness, accuracy and proper formatting of project documentation in accordance with UNOPS standards.
• Maintain quality checklists and tracking tools to monitor compliance with project management requirements.
• Assist in document control processes, ensuring proper versioning and archiving of key project records.
• Support internal reviews and audits by organizing and providing the required information and documentation.

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

Skills

Data Analysis, Project Implementation, Project Management, Reporting, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

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.

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 Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 2 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 0 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired.

Experience Requirements

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.

Language Requirements

Language       Proficiency        LevelRequirement

  English            Fluent                Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Project-Management-Office-PMO-Analyst/1466