Project Officer, Office for Portfolio Management

Support the implementation of OPM initiatives through sound project management practices.

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Application deadline 2 months ago: Sunday 22 Mar 2026 at 00:00 UTC

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Overview

Support the implementation of OPM initiatives through sound project management practices.

You have:

  • At least five (5) years of relevant experience - at national and international levels - in Project Management, data and/or information management, including experience in application development.
  • Prior working experience at field level, with WHO, UN agencies or with an international nongovernmental organization.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of information management and monitoring systems.
  • Proven skills in Programme/Project Management, and data collection, assessment, analysis, and monitoring.
  • Advanced ability to design, manage, analyze, and coordinate information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, or web-based tools.
  • Application development/programming skills in any one of the following platforms: SQL, Oracle, Python, JavaScript, VBA, HTML/CSS, Power Platform, or APIs & Web Services.
  • Strong proficiency in Power BI application development, PowerApps, etc.

Contract

This is a UNV contract. More about UNV contracts.

The World Health Organization (WHO) was founded in 1948. WHO is the specialized agency of United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. WHO aims to have everyone, everywhere attain the highest level of health. WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. It directs and coordinates the world’s response to health emergencies and promotes healthier lives from pregnancy care through old age. The Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all using science-based policies and programmes. The WHO has its headquarters in Geneva with six regional offices, 150 country offices, and other offices around the world. This assignment will be under the WHO Regional Office for Africa within the General Management and Coordination Cluster (GMC) which is responsible for coordination, administration, and cross-cutting management functions, including BMS, HR, finance, governance, and operational support activities.

The Budget & Management System (BMS) team will lead the implementation of the new Management System across the region, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, while providing strategic oversight of the regional budget to drive efficiency and performance. The Business Management System (BMS) journey is driven by a determination and compelling business strategy highlighted in the General Programme of Work (GPW13) to strengthen critical systems and processes to optimize organizational performance. Under the supervision of the Regional Coordinator (BMS), the OPM Project officer will support the GMC Cluster to ensure that OPM Project and related initiatives are supported through sound project management practices and robust data analytics, enabling the full implementation of the Office for Portfolio Management Project.

The OPM Project Officer includes the implementation of project management practices aligned with the OPM methodology and portfolio classification, but also the technical maintenance of the OPM platform developed with PowerBI and PowerApps. Under the leadership of the Regional Coordinator (BMS), the Office for Portfolio Management (OPM) is being established within the GMC and DPM Clusters to institutionalize a project management approach and principles in the delivery of activities across the AFRO Region. The OPM Project Officer will play a key role in supporting the OPM initiative through data-driven insights and performance monitoring.

Technical/ Platform administration

  1. Database Management: Design, create, and maintain databases related to the Office for Portfolio Management (OPM), ensuring proper content structure, file location organization, and a reliable backup and recovery system.
  2. Data Analysis and Reporting: Aggregate and analyze relevant data to produce user-friendly dashboards, summary and detailed timely reports (internal and external), narrative content, tables, maps, and graphics to visualize OPM performance trends and support strategic planning and data-driven decision-making.
  3. Design tools and methodologies to standardize data collection and processing across regions and country offices, ensuring consistent information flow and supporting consolidation efforts.
  4. Respond to ad hoc information requests and support knowledge sharing as needed. Ensure the technical maintenance of the OPM platform in conjunction with the Regional Services Unit/Information Technology Management (RSU/ITM) and Regional Office Support Unit/Information Technology Management (ROSU/ITM) teams, report to the coordinator any technical issues and propose fixes, ensure a help-desk role with end-users, and manage the licenses required for the proper functioning of the OPM platform.
  5. General Support and Collaboration: Contribute to other tasks related to data collection and management, knowledge capture and dissemination, and perform additional duties as assigned by the functional supervisor.

Project Management

  1. Verify data accuracy of project management information submitted by the users on various platforms, mainly the OPM platform; ensure alignment with the OPM methodology, completeness, and timeliness of information; identify information gaps and recommend corrective actions.
  2. Support documentation submitted related to project proposals, and report to the Business Management System (BMS) Coordinator any misalignment; recommend to the Coordinator actions to be taken for resolution.
  3. Deliver training on project management, on the use of the OPM platform, and other platforms related to the BMS Team.

Administrative

  1. Support the sustainability and operationalization of the Office for Portfolio Management (OPM).
  2. Provide assistance in the administration of OPM contracts, procurement, and other administrative duties.
  3. Consolidate and maintain up-to-date information related to the OPM project; prepare internal and external presentations as well as narrative reports on OPM activities. Support the BMS coordinator in his role as secretariat for the Project Governance bodies (meeting and events preparation, delivery of minutes, overall coordination support activities).
  4. Provide region- and country-specific data, manage the OPM and other BMS SharePoint sites, and support knowledge sharing platforms as required.

• Teamwork; • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences; • Communication; • Producing results; • Ensuring the effective use of resources.

Required Experience: Essential: At least five (5) years of relevant experience - at national and international levels - in Project Management, data and/or information management, including experience in application development. Desirable: Prior working experience at field level, with WHO, UN agencies or with an international nongovernmental organization.

Functional Knowledge and Skills: • Demonstrated knowledge of information management and monitoring systems. • Proven skills in the field of Programme/Project Management, and data collection, assessment, analysis, and monitoring. • Advanced ability to design, manage, analyze, and coordinate information system projects, computer-based applications and databases, or web-based tools. • Application development/programming skills in any one of the following platforms: SQL, Oracle, Python, JavaScript, VBA, HTML/CSS, Power Platform, or APIs & Web Services. • Strong proficiency in Power BI application development, PowerApps, etc.

Other Skills (e.g., IT): • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications. • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Power BI and other data analytics tools. • Working knowledge of online data collection applications and statistical analysis packages. • Knowledge of programs such as Appian, MuleSoft, GitHub, Anypoint Studio, Azure DevOps would be an asset. • Good knowledge of database programmes.

Brazzaville is the headquarters of the WHO Regional Office for Africa and the capital of the Republic of Congo. It is a quiet city on the borders of the Congo river with a relatively low crime rate and as such is a family station. WHO staff live either in the WHO compound which is a 30 minutes’ drive from the centre of town or in the city centre. There are a range of apartments available, with all the necessary amenities including furniture but it should be noted that the cost of living in Brazzaville is T. +49 (0) 228-815 2000 F. +49 (0) 228-815 2001 A. Platz der Vereinten Nationen 1, 53113 Bonn, Germany W. www.unv.org The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 6 relatively high. The climate is generally warm year-round with several different rainy and dry seasons. While Brazzaville is a fairly quiet city there are a range of restaurants including European, Asian (Chinese, Indian and Japanese) and bars. WHO has a medical clinic. The Republic Congo is a unique country and WHO AFRO is a unique operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. https://www.unv.org].

Potential interview questions

Can you describe your experience with project management in international organizations? Understanding your background in project management helps evaluate fit for the role and demands of the organization. Highlight specific projects, your role, and the outcomes achieved.
How have you utilized data analytics in your previous work? This assesses your ability to rely on data to inform decisions, which is crucial for this position. Pro members can see the explanation.
Describe a challenging project you managed. What strategies did you employ to overcome the challenges? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What methodologies do you find effective in maintaining project timelines and budgets? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of how you’ve improved a process through data-driven insights? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you handle conflicts when working within a team? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
What tools do you prefer for data reporting and why? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
How would you ensure the technical maintenance of the OPM platform? Pro members can see the explanation. Pro members can see the explanation.
Added 2 months ago - Updated 2 months ago - Source: unv.org