Project Management Support – Specialist (Partnerships) – Retainer

• Support project development, including the preparation of concept notes, proposals, legal agreements, budgets, and project documents.

• Analyse opportunities and risks during development, providing advice to management within the context and framework of proposed solutions.

• Support negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries by facilitating the finalization of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).

• Facilitate the review and approval of new projects by ensuring the use of UNOPS updated policies and procedures and liaising with headquarters for requesting clarifications and permissions.

• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span. 

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

• Identify potential opportunities for UNOPS involvement.  

2. Project Management

• Manage the initial stages of project implementation

• Oversee the recruitment of the project team 

• Set up the project in the UNOPS system

• Initiate procurement and other activities as needed

3. Stakeholder engagement

• Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders.

• Support stakeholder engagement and communication, monitoring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Monitor that stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

4. Knowledge management and innovation

• Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.

• Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices. 

• Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.

• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

Work Experience 

Required experience:

• At least five (5) years of experience implementing projects/programmes in the area of international development.
• Minimum of three (3) years experience developing or implementing projects/programmes for international organizations.

Desirable experience (the following experience is optional candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply): 

• Specific Experience in partnerships, development of project proposals, budgets and legal agreements is an asset
• Experience within the UN system is an asset.

Language requirements