Project Management Office (PMO) - Specialist

Job Highlight

Drive strategic project and program success through innovative frameworks, ensuring optimal resource utilization and sustainable results.

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 Office (PMO) Specialist contributes to the development and continuous improvement of strategic, operational and governance frameworks to ensure that all projects and programmes are effectively designed, prioritized and implemented in alignment with UNOPS and partner objectives. The role supports the management team in strategic planning and portfolio oversight, providing delivery assurance to ensure projects are executed according to UNOPS standards and promoting best practices in project management. The PMO Specialist also ensures the consistent application of project management methodologies, policies and tools across all operations, enabling evidence-based decision-making, optimal resource utilization, and effective delivery of sustainable results.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Development and Planning
• Contribute to strategic oversight, advice and direction on project and programme management activities in line with service agreements and project documents.
• Support the development, implementation and, when required, revision of project budgets and staffing plans, ensuring alignment and synergy across operations.
• Establish and maintain resource tracking systems within the PMO to enhance planning, forecasting and delivery tracking.
• Identify and anticipate risks and issues, providing timely advice and mitigation measures to the supervisor.
  
  

• Facilitate the preparation of high-level project and programme plans, consolidating lower-level plans into integrated milestones.
• Develop, monitor and maintain project dependencies and interdependencies.
• Provide support on project assets, finance and administrative matters throughout the project lifecycle.
• Serve as the focal point for project closure activities.
• Oversee all closure processes, ensuring the proper disposal of assets, final operating, initiation of financial disbursements during Defects Liability Periods and handover of projects to HQ for final financial closure.
• Ensure timely updates of project information in UNOPS systems (e.g. oneUNOPS).
  
  

• Prepare, review and issue regular project and programme reports in accordance with donor requirements and UNOPS standards.
• Continuously assess project performance using scope, cost, schedule and quality criteria.
• Implement and maintain effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems aligned with project logical frameworks.
• Ensure that all projects define, update and track milestones and performance targets throughout their lifecycle.
• Analyze delivery data and performance dashboards, identifying trends, risks and corrective measures.
• Provide analytical reports and financial insights (e.g. delivery forecasts, locally managed cost projections) to support decision-making by project and support services teams.
• Coordinate the implementation of project management initiatives and requests from the Regional Office and HQ teams.
  
  

• Ensure that projects and programmes comply with UNOPS standards, policies and audit requirements.
• Collaborate with procurement, finance and audit teams to maintain quality control and compliance with supplier and internal systems.
• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents, reports and deliverables, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
• Provide quality assurance for management products, ensuring adherence to corporate standards and client expectations.
• Participate as authorized in continuous process improvement initiatives and operational excellence efforts.
  
  

• Assist in supervising, guiding and motivating project team members to achieve high performance and accountability.
• Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and performance management of personnel, ensuring gender balance and diversity principles are upheld.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment that aligns with UNOPS’ zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, discrimination and harassment.
• Ensure compliance with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) safety and security standards for all project staff and operations.
  
  

• Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management.
• Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
• Conduct research on project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
  
  

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
  
  

• A globally recognized professional certificate or membership in Project Management is desired.
  
  

• Relevant experience is work in project management or related areas.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.
  
  

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.