Programme Support Specialist Vacancy Type Roster

Organizational Context

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO), with hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, leads multi-regional initiatives advancing sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding globally. The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) specifically manages UNOPS' New York-based portfolios, delivering project and programme management, procurement, HR, and financial services to partners like the UN Secretariat and Member States, supporting the SDGs.

Job Purpose

The Programme Support Specialist, within UNOPS' New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC), is crucial for bridging field and HQ deliverables. Reporting to the Head of Programme (HoP), this role supports the Head of Project Unit (HPU) in managing projects. The specialist performs a multidisciplinary range of programme and project management, oversight, assurance, and control activities. This ensures projects are delivered within specified tolerances for time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits, adhering to organizational standards. The role involves verifying Implementation Plans, ensuring project outputs align with the business cases of UNOPS and its partners, and facilitating effective project execution and stakeholder satisfaction.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include supporting programme/project planning by developing strategies, work-plans, and budgets, and contributing to project proposals from an implementability perspective. In implementation and closure, the specialist provides inputs for Implementation Plans, monitors progress, highlights issues and risks, advises on mitigation measures, and manages project changes. Operational duties involve supporting procurement, contract management, personnel administration, financial management (budgets, forecasts, disbursements), and project closure processes. The role also entails monitoring and reporting on project compliance with policies and legal agreements, managing reporting obligations, and analyzing delivery data. Stakeholder engagement involves coordinating communication plans and engaging with partners. Assurance and oversight include supporting programme/project assurance activities, audits, and managing escalated risks and issues. Finally, the role involves capacity development through training and developing tools, and knowledge management by researching and disseminating best practices and lessons learned.

Work Experience

Relevant experience includes portfolio management, programme management, project development, or project management. Experience implementing development or humanitarian projects in conflict or post-conflict environments is desired. Experience in advancing workforce inclusion and integrating gender, social inclusion, and PSEAH/safeguarding into project implementation and oversight is also desired.

Skills

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning; Operations Management; Project Implementation; Project Planning; Reporting; Stakeholder Engagement; Stakeholder Management.

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