Project Management Support Associate

Contract

This is a LICA-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

Background information- ECR

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries. The Cities Alliance, which is based in Brussels, reports to UNOPS through ECR in Geneva, and implements programmes in Africa and other regions.

Background information – Cities Alliance (CA)

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership including – global organisations of local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organisations, foundations, knowledge networks and multilateral organisations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Members promote longer-term and integrated work programmes, while actively promoting gender equality throughout all activities.

Background Information - Job-specific

Within the framework of the Cities Alliance Tunisia Country Programme, the Cities Alliance is now preparing a multiyear engagement in Tunisia with a focus on gender-sensitive approaches to urban planning in various Tunisian cities. The initiative will include a participatory assessment phase, the creation of public space interventions and a municipal exchange and capacity building component. Together these phases aim at increasing the economic empowerment and safety of women in the public space. The project will be implemented in strong collaboration with the participating municipalities and the local civil society. Against this background the Cities Alliance is seeking a Project Management Support Associate who will work directly under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close collaboration with other team members. S/he will be expected to support the Project Manager in implementing work packages and activities, and maintaining and strengthening relationships with implementing partners and other local stakeholders. Please note that the job offer is subject to signing of the project agreement and availability of funds.

The position requires travel across Tunisia

Functional Responsibilities

Provide assistance to Project Manager during project life cycle, contributing to activity design and development, implementation, field supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and closure, by performing the following tasks:

Project Management Support

• Provide support in the drafting of reports, proposals, terms of reference, requests for proposals, or call for proposals;
• Coordinate timely receipt of required inputs from implementing partners;
• Maintain the project information updated and assess possible risks in operations;
• Assess and review monthly, milestone, and final progress reports submitted by partners;
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures
• As assigned by the Project Manager, assume responsibility and manage specific activities, tasks and work packages within the Project portfolio;
• Perform any other duties as might be required for the successful implementation of the projects

Stakeholder Engagement and capacity building

• Support coordination, organization, and reporting of city coordination meetings, focus groups, and other key meetings;
• Support coordination of capacity development trainings and workshops by organizing events;

Field supervision and monitoring

• As requested, visit project activities in the field to verify reported information;
• Follow up and monitor the work of the implementing partner as per approved training, work plans, task orders and budget;
• As assigned, travel to field locations to participate in quality assurance visits; meet with partners; participate in rapid, baseline, or impact assessment; and/or, participate in team meetings;
• Support the project manager in implementing monitoring and evaluating plans and provide recommendations for improvement;

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

• A professional or technical diploma Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, architecture, urban planning, urban development, gender studies or related field with 5 years additional relevant work experience OR;
• Bachelor's Degree in Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, architecture, urban planning, urban development, gender studies or related field with three (3) years additional relevant work experience OR;
• Masters Degree in Development Studies, Management, Social Sciences, architecture, urban planning, urban development, gender studies or related field with one (1) year additional relevant work experience.

b. Work Experience - Minimum of Five (5) years of relevant experience in the areas of Project Management or Project Management support required; - Experience in planning, stakeholder management, and/or monitoring and reporting highly desirable; - Experience in public works projects and capacity building will be an asset;

c. Language - Fluency in written and oral Arabic and French is required. - Knowledge of English is an asset

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA 7

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

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

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 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.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.