Project Management Support – Senior Officer

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to a high-impact project focused on accountability and financial integrity in Afghanistan’s development sector. The position offers exposure to complex project management processes, collaboration with international partners, and professional growth within UNOPS.

About The Project Office

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

Role Purpose The Project Management Support Senior Officer will conduct substantive analysis, judging the validity of conclusions, and synthesizing proposals to meet demands related to project planning, reporting, and knowledge management within the VCEP project.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Planning
• Create detailed project baselines, work breakdown structures (WBS), and milestones using Google Sheets and specialized software (MS Project).
• Track project milestones, outputs and deliverables, and alert management to delays or risks.
• Create high level plans and milestone reports as required by management.
• Reporting and coordination
• Develop and maintain calculation sheets using Google Sheets to facilitate data analysis and reporting on verified claims and expenditures. These sheets will be used to track key metrics, identify trends, and generate reports for management review.
• Support the development and review of operational reports, financial reports, forecasts, and project presentations.
• Provide inputs for project reporting to the Deputy Project Manager for quality review before submission to the Senior Project Manager.
• Review and quality assure project reports and deliverables prior to submission, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with UNOPS standards.
• Knowledge Management and Record Keeping
• Collect, clean, structure and validate project data to ensure accuracy, consistency and reliability.
• Ensure all business processes are backed up by required supporting documents and maintain an effective records system.
• Support the planning and coordination activities, and follow up on the progress and quality of the products provided by the team members.
• Support the Senior Project Manager and other Output Team Leads in order to ensure that the overall verification process is running smoothly.
• Perform any other task assigned by the Project Management Support Specialist.

Education Requirements

Required

• Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Public Administration, Engineering, or a relevant field, with a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience.
• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Project Management, Economics, Public Administration, Engineering, or a relevant field, with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Project Management Certification (e.g., PMP, PRINCE2)

Required Experience Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in providing administrative and project operational support in areas such as planning and reporting, procurement, contract management, or asset management with a Master’s Degree.
• A minimum of 4 years of relevant professional experience in providing administrative and project operational support in areas such as planning and reporting, procurement, contract management, or asset management with a Bachelor’s Degree.
• Proven skills in contract administration and/or project management.

Desired

• Experience in planning, creating project schedules and reports.
• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations.
• Experience within the international development and/or humanitarian sector.