Programme Support Specialist

The Programme Support Specialist within the Peace and Security Cluster of the New York Portfolios Office supports project and programme management activities, linking field and HQ deliverables. The role involves supporting project managers and executives to ensure projects are delivered within time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits tolerances according to organizational standards.

Responsibilities

• Support the Head of Project Unit (HPU) in developing and reviewing programme strategies, work-plans and budgets.
• Contribute to project proposals from a project implementability perspective, including development of project budgets and interfacing with partners.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders as part of standard project acceptance processes.
• Research and identify potential project opportunities for UNOPS and report findings to the Head of Programme (HoP).
• Provide inputs to the HPU for developing, completing and updating Implementation Plans.
• Implement assigned tasks within approved plans as per tolerances set in Legal Agreements.
• Collaborate with HPUs to ensure deliverables comply with quality requirements.
• Monitor project progress and highlight issues and risks for attention.
• Advise HoP on mitigating measures/actions against identified risks and issues.
• Assist the HPU in managing changes to projects, including amendments of legal agreements and budgets.
• Ensure integration of prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (PSEAH) and diversity, equity, disability, and social inclusion (DEDSI) into project implementation and partner oversight.
• Support procurement and contract management activities.
• Serve as Employer’s Representative within FIDIC works contracts if applicable.
• Assist in recruitment and administration of project personnel and engagement of NGOs.
• Assist in financial management activities including budgets, forecasts, commitments, disbursements, and expenditure monitoring.
• Support project operational and financial closure processes.
• Maintain project files and record lessons learned.
• Foster a safe and inclusive work environment and uphold highest standards of conduct.
• Use and improve monitoring tools to ensure compliance with organizational policies and Project Management Manual.
• Manage reporting obligations and assist in preparing project and financial reports.
• Review project status and evaluate performance criteria with HPU and HoP.
• Maintain progress reports and provide oversight and analysis of delivery data.
• Engage with partners and stakeholders and develop communication plans.
• Support programme and project assurance activities including board meetings and audits.
• Manage escalated programme and project-level risks and issues.
• Provide quality control for management outputs.
• Demonstrate leadership on PSEAH and ethical conduct.
• Develop and facilitate training and orientation packages for HPUs and country-based personnel.
• Develop tools and guidance to improve project development, management and closure.
• Research and apply fit-for-purpose standards and methodologies in project and programme support.
• Initiate and undertake lessons learned activities and strengthen knowledge sharing mechanisms.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master or equivalent) with 5 years of relevant experience; OR a First-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience is required.
• Relevant experience in portfolio management, programme management, project development, or project management.
• Experience implementing development or humanitarian projects in conflict or post-conflict environments is desired.
• Experience advancing workforce inclusion and integrating gender, social inclusion, and PSEAH/safeguarding into project implementation and implementing partner oversight is desired.
• Fluent proficiency in English is required.
• Intermediate proficiency in French is desirable.
• Intermediate proficiency in Spanish is desirable.
• Intermediate proficiency in Arabic is desirable.
• Intermediate proficiency in Chinese, Mandarin is desirable.
• Intermediate proficiency in Russian is desirable.

Skills

• Portfolio Management
• Programme Management
• Project Development
• Project Management
• Project Implementation
• Humanitarian project implementation
• Conflict Environment Experience
• Post Conflict Environment
• Workplace Inclusion
• Gender Integration
• Social Inclusion
• PSEAH
• Safeguarding Implementation
• Partner oversight
• Project Risk Management
• Project Quality Improvement
• Project cost management
• Project Scope Definition
• Project Benefits Management

Languages

English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Mandarin, Russian