Project Management Support Senior Officer (Deputy Team Lead for Rural Component)

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

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.

Following the political events in Afghanistan in August 2021, the subsequent economic collapse has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis putting over 24 million people in immediate need of aid. To provide immediate short-term livelihood opportunities and deliver urgent essential services in rural and urban areas, UNOPS is working with funders to implement a large-scale community resilience program. The initiative aims to reach an estimated 1.1 million households, or 7.5 million Afghans,with livelihoods and income support. In addition, 9 million Afghans in some 6,200 rural communities and 8 cities will benefit from improved access to essential social services through strengthening the capacity of community institutions in inclusive service delivery.

The Project Management Support Senior Officer(Deputy Team Lead for Rural Component) supports the planning, coordination, and implementation of the rural component of the Community Resilience and Livelihoods (CRL) Project, contributing to programme planning, oversight of facilitating partners (FPs), coordination with communities and authorities, and monitoring of programme implementation across regions. The position also supports the Rural Team Lead in managing programme operations and acts as a deputy when required.

1. Programme Planning and Coordination Support

• Support the Rural Team Lead in planning and coordinating the implementation of the rural component of the CRL programme.
• Support Rural Team Lead in overseeing programme implementation across regions through Facilitating Partners (FPs) and community institutions.
• Support the Rural Team Lead in the development of programme strategies, operational plans, and implementation frameworks.
• Support Rural Team Lead on all TPMA related activities and act as rural focal point for the TPMA.
• Support Rural Team Lead on the preparation of presentations, reports and required information for the ISM and any other task assigned by the Rural Team Lead.
• Act as Deputy to the Rural Team Lead during absences.
• Support Rural Team Lead in coordination between headquarters and field teams to ensure subproject implementation and report to rural team lead.

2. Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor implementation progress against programme workplans and targets.
• Review field reports and provide analytical updates to Rural Team Lead.
• Support coordination of field monitoring missions by Rural Team Lead and third party monitoring agents (TPMA).
• Monitor MIS on regular bases and provide required information and analysis to the Rural Team Lead.
• Support Rural Team for compilation of weekly and quarterly reports for WB.
• Regular data analysis and report to rural team lead.

3. Operational Support and Compliance

• Ensure programme activities comply with UNOPS operational procedures, safeguards, and programme guidelines.
• Identify operational challenges affecting implementation and recommend corrective actions to ensure timely programme delivery.
• Support facilitating partners in resolving technical challenges related to community subprojects and social safeguards.
• Monitor FPs sub-project implementation with work plan.
  

Required

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or Equivalent) in development studies, international relations, sociology, management, business administration, or other relevant fields with 2 years of experience.
  

• A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor's Degree) in development studies, international relations, sociology, management, business administration, or other relevant fields with 4 years of experience.

Desired

• Training in environmental safeguards and sustainable development practices.

Required

• A minimum of 4 years of experience working with regional, provincial, or district-level authorities and/or communities.

Desired

• Experience working on Cash for Work projects or community-driven development (CDD) projects. Previous experience working with Community Development Councils (CDCs), Community Representative Groups (CRGs), or similar community structures.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here [link removed]. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here. [link removed]
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.