Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations.
Diversity
With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO)
Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) spans across West Africa, covering Anglophone and Francophone Countries supporting partners in achieving their development objectives through three main service lines: infrastructure, procurement, and project management.
The Multi Country Office head office in Dakar provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering, and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.
UNOPS in Nigeria
The UNOPS office in Nigeria has been supporting partners and the government of Nigeria to implement several development projects through its expertise to ensure sustainable project management.
UNOPS Nigeria is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, environment, climate change, and governance sectors.
Background information about the Projects
NEWMAP
The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) aims to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. The project has been operational in Nigeria since 2013 with funding from The World Bank that ended in June 2022.
The “Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion & Watershed project” represents a scale-up phase of the World Bank-financed NEWMAP, under a loan from the European Development Bank (EIB). The project consists of financing sub-investments (schemes) of sites affected by land degradation in Nigeria, including both gully erosion and degradation of drylands. The project involves two components – 1) Infrastructure, and 2) Technical Assistance.
The scheme selection is based on a multi-criterion ranking system, coupled with assessments on the level of readiness of the schemes and the capacity of the implementing state/s. All 23 states wish to participate in the project and are intended recipients of assistance from the project.
The project is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.
RAAMP
The Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP and RAAMP-2) is an initiative that has been financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), along with some contribution from the Government of Nigeria (GoN).
The EIB’s “Nigeria Access to Agri-Markets Framework Loan” consists of a framework loan to finance sub-investments proposed under the existing RAAMP. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the infrastructure related to the agriculture sector by (i) improving and expanding the rural roads network connecting farms to markets, whilst (ii) enhancing infrastructure to transform products and support local farmers to increase productivity.
The project has so far been implementing schemes across thirteen Nigerian states. The EIB loan may possibly target the six states that have not received RAAMP funding to date viz, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Niger, and Taraba, that will involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of rural roads and agro-logistics centers in these pre-selected participating States.
RAAMP is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.
Under a Financing Agreement with the Government of Nigeria, UNOPS has been requested by EIB to provide implementation and oversight support to both the projects in the following areas:
Screening and verification of schemes - assist EIB in screening the longlist against the set multi criteria and advise on final approval of shortlists to be financed under EIB loan.
Procurement - assist EIB in ensuring alignment with EIB’s minimum requirements through prior and post reviews.
Environmental and social risk management of proposed schemes – ensure E&S safeguard compliance through clearance of ESMPs and monitoring their implementation.
Implementation Monitoring - oversight of the implementation of schemes and risk mitigating measures in coordination with the FPMU, SPIUs, the EIB, and relevant stakeholders through half-yearly monitoring missions, and Reporting on the implementation of schemes and the overall program performance.
Technical Assistance - provision of technical assistance to the FPMUs/ SPIUs on above areas of intervention, as necessary.
The role
The Project Management Support (PMS) - Senior Associate who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting the Project Manager with the day-to-day operations, coordinating implementation, and liaison with the EIB. S/he maintains a close eye on the operational and financial performance, identifies probable Project Management Support issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinates resolution as per action-items assigned, drafting required correspondences to stakeholders concerned and preparation of mission reports. The PMS is required to work in a complex and challenging environment with limited resources.
She/He may be required to work in complex and challenging environments with limited resources.
Functional ResponsibilitiesSummary of functions:
Project Implementation
Project monitoring and reporting
Coordination and liaison
Financial and procurement management
Operational and logistical support
Knowledge management and innovation
Project implementation
Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project reports and documents.
Coordinate information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures.
Coordinate assigned administrative tasks of work packages and take responsibility for progress.
Specialised admin support with the monitoring and management of work packages within the project as and when required.
Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the project planning process and implementation progress.Document and feedback lessons learned and best practices.
Provide administrative support to identify and manage risks outlined by the PM. Facilitate information flows and oversee all administrative tasks related to change controls, risk registers and issue management.
In consultation with the relevant stakeholders, manage the administration of amendments of Agreements and Budget revisions.
Project monitoring and reporting
Provide administrative inputs to assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project reports and documents, ensure compliance with contractual obligations and UNOPS policies, processes and procedures.
In charge of maintaining all administrative records of project files and other supporting documents.
Specialised admin support for: Quality Register, Configuration Item Records and all other registers/logs delegated by the Project Manager.
Administration of:
i. Project Document records,
ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by UNOPS policies
Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project completion reports and ensure compliance with all administrative processes and procedures.
Coordination and liaison
Coordinates the administration of contract management (HR, Service Contracts, rental agreements etc.) for Project operations.
Proactively coordinate/liaise with support units on all administrative matters related to contract management.
Liaise with the Programme Management Office (PMO) Team Members to complete project assurance related tasks.
Supports the Project Manager in communication with stakeholders and ensures stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress and exceptions.
Coordinate administrative aspect of meetings, workshops, training, and maintain records of these meetings.
Financial and procurement management
Support the Project Manager to ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP system (OneUNOPS) and (OneUNOPS Projects) as appropriate.
Administrative support with monitoring project budget and financial expenditure and all administrative procedures in line with the work-plan.
Facilitate processing of direct payments and advance requests and prepare project budget revisions.
Support the preparation of financial reports, including developing financial monitoring and reporting formats as per UNOPS requirements.
Support the Project Manager by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.
Oversee project disbursement requests with procedures, work plans, and availability of resources for expenditure.
Coordinate the administrative aspect of, meetings and reports as necessary.
Maintain all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes.
Operational and logistical support
Establish and monitor an internal control system for all administrative actions.
Identify operational, administrative, financial and other bottlenecks that may impede project delivery; recommend solutions and take appropriate remedial action.
Liaise with finance and logistics/procurement units in tracking commitments and disbursements.
Contribute to organizing project and stakeholder meetings as and when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings.
In accordance with UN and UNOPS Security Policies, manage travel for all personnel in the Project Team.
Knowledge management and innovation
Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format and the PMM.
Actively contribute to building local capacities at every level and opportunity Management Support.
Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques.
The Project Management Support - Senior Associate directly impacts on the achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving 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.
High school Diploma/Secondary School Diploma is the minimum academic requirement for this role.
A First-Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, International Relations, or other relevant disciplines with 3 years of relevant professional experience will be accepted.
Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, International Relations, or other relevant disciplines is an asset.
B. Work Experience
Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant working experience in Project Management with focus in budget management, financial monitoring, operations support, reporting and project planning is required.
Demonstrated knowledge of UNOPS and/or UN financial rules and regulations will be an asset.
Experience in the use of google software packages (Google Doc, Sheets and Slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an added advantage.
Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is an asset.
Experience working on EU/EC/EIB projects/ programmes is an asset .
C. Certifications:
Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Foundation, PMI or equivalent) is an asset.
D. Language requirements
Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required. Competencies
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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA 7)/ICS7
Contract duration: Open-ended (subject to good performance, availability of funds, organizational requirements and project duration).
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx Additional Information
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.
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.
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.