The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Established in 2005, UNOPS Sudan is a key partner in advancing community well-being through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that support humanitarian, recovery, and sustainable development efforts. UNOPS contributes to improved access to clean water, supports peacekeeping operations, and assists in implementing the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement by helping operationalize the Permanent Ceasefire Committee for Darfur in collaboration with UNITAMS. Ongoing initiatives focus on enhancing access to water and strengthening health services across the country, with particular efforts in Kassala state to expand diagnostic capacity and upgrade healthcare infrastructure. Through these projects, UNOPS supports stability, resilience, and improved living conditions for communities across Sudan.

This position operates within a complex and dynamic environment, requiring a seasoned professional to provide comprehensive support services across various functional areas. The role is critical in ensuring operational effectiveness, compliance, and efficient resource management, contributing to the successful implementation of UNOPS projects and programs in Sudan.

The Support Services Senior Officer conducts substantive analysis, judges the validity of conclusions, and synthesizes proposals to meet demands in support services. The role ensures the effective and efficient delivery of support services, contributing to the overall success of UNOPS projects and programs in Sudan.

Advisory and Technical Support

• Coordinate and advise senior management to ensure operational effectiveness, focusing on the implementation of corporate directives, guidelines, and strategies.
• Provide support to UNOPS programs regarding their operational arrangements, including financial guarantees, and innovative approaches to finance private and public sector projects, as well as risk assessment and mitigation.
• Actively support knowledge building and sharing to promote implementation of international best practices in management and operations.
• Coordinate and provide input on the creation and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and workflows to review and improve operational processes and procedures.
• Build staff capacity in operations and produce lessons learned to rectify future operational issues.

Procurement Support

• Provide support in the management of procurement of the relevant office supplies in a quality and timely manner, as well as procurement activities to be undertaken in support of projects and programs.
• Liaise with HAMCO Procurement through HoSS, IPAS Procurement and Sustainable Procurement Practice Group as required to resolve issues and challenges.
• Support in reviewing the International Tender Bids (ITBs) and Request for Quotations (RFQs) before their finalization, and ITB/RFP bidding documents prior to launching tenders to ensure bidding documents are in compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures.
• Review evaluation of proposals received, recommendations for contract awards, and participate in negotiations with successful bidders as and when required.
• Review and clear contract documents and agreements with partner institutions and UN agencies. Oversee the administration of contracts and agreements as well as processing of amendments, as required.

Financial Management

• Support the Management and the Local Shared Service budget expenditures for Sudan Office in conjunction with Finance.
• Maintain oversight over UNOPS’s financial position and financial projections, and escalate any exceptions and issues to senior management in a timely manner.
• Provide support in the management of the Finance Unit and ensure compliance with UNOPS financial rules and regulations, financial policies and procedures.
• Assist the project team in reviewing and consolidation of Periodical expenditure/financial reports.
• Prepare the financial exception reports for unusual activities, transactions and investigation of any anomalies and advice necessary adjustments to the Program team.
• Provide responses to audit queries and ensure compliance and timely implementation of all audit recommendations related to financial reports.
• Ensure that all relevant internal and control mechanisms in projects are duly established and implemented.
• With HAMCO Finance actively coordinating the Quarter & Year end UNOPS books closure activities with all relevant teams including and annual budgeting deadlines set by the UNOPS HQ.

Human Resources Management

• Provide support in the management of the HR Unit, and ensures compliance to procedures; liaises with HAMCO HR,and People and Change Practice Group as required to resolve issues and challenges.
• Follow up the overall HR and talent management of UNOPS Sudan office and projects, including but not limited to recruitment, orientation, training, performance management, and issue management of staff and consultants.
• Support periodic market research on local salary scales, and other corporate reporting requirements.
• Provide support in the preparation of a learning plan for UNOPS personnel based on business needs and capacity issues.
• Contribute to staff capacity through training, coaching and mentoring on relevant HR and operations issues.

Security and HSSE Support

• Provide support and coordinate with the Security Associate to ensure office compliance with security protocols across UNOPS premises, and operations in Sudan, the Security Associate reports directly to the head of office as per the structure.
• Ensure premises Health, Safety, Social and Environment (HSSE) compliance and assessment is carried out according to corporate policy, and produce reports on time.

Administrative and Liaison Support

• Oversee and facilitate obtaining of visas, registration, travel permits, organize formal meetings and other relevant government documents for UNOPS staff and contractors through regular interaction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
• Ensures the efficient and timely delivery of support services to UNOPS activities and the provision of common services through the UN Country Team and other partners.
• Represent the Head of Office in relevant UN Country Team forums and working groups (including OMT and common services meetings), ensuring effective coordination with UN entities and compliance with UN/UNOPS operational policies and procedures.
• Organize and Coordinate the provision of support services to projects and programs, including finance/admin, HR, procurement and logistics.
• Serve as an interface between projects and HAMCO management on all administrative issues (including HR, admin, legal, security, finance and procurement).
• Ensure that UNOPS rules and procedures are fully applied in all support services and operations areas, supports the Head of Office and HAMCO Head of Support Services with compliance issues, including following up on and implementing audit recommendations.
• Set up the guest house, ensure its upkeep, maintain and supervise the cleaning team, establish GH SOP and rates, and collect usage costs per person.

Information Technology Support

• With the coordination of the MCO ICT unit the Support Service Officer develops CO ICT strategy and annual action plan, based on the program portfolio of the CO.
• Ensure proper maintenance of server equipment, computers/laptops, and other ICT equipment owned by the office or projects.
• Supervise the implementation of the ICT annual action plan, ensuring resources are acquired.
• Perform other duties as required, including coordinating the review and upgrading of the UNOPS ICT infrastructure.
• Setting-up the KPIs for the ICT unit, in close coordination with HAMCO ICT unit.
• Produce regular reports to the Head of Office and Head of Support Services.

Project Planning and Coordination Support

• Support the Head of Office and relevant units in the review of the operational aspects of proposed projects, including implementation plans, cost implications, and identifies milestones to ensure success.
• Support and Coordinate the Head of Office, Head of Program (HoP), Project Management Officer, and HAMCO Head of Support Services, with determining support services required for providing support to projects and activities and setting goals, targets and performance standards for projects.
• Review, monitor and evaluate the existing arrangements to improve service quality and cost-efficiency.
• Analyze project budgets and revisions, advises programs and projects with regards to the deployment of funds, and issues such as project inception and closure.
• Negotiate with service providers in the framework of relevant office and project activities and report to the Head of Office.
• Provide support in the preparation and revision of project budgets, work plans, and project engagement documents, including ToRs, MoUs, Letter of Agreements (LoAs), and Implementation Analysis Notes (IANs), ensuring appropriate costing of direct and operational expenses.
• Monitor donor fund contributions (committed and actual), receipt of funds, commitments and actual expenditures, update status, forecast and business acquisition.
• Align office procedures and systems to create a client-oriented culture in provision of operational support services.

Required

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or related field OR

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Management or related field 

Desired

• PRINCE2 Foundation Certification and/or similar project management certification.

Required

• Minimum 4 years of relevant experience with a Bachelor's degree, or 2 years of relevant experience with a Master's degree in the area of operations management or project support services.

• Foundations in finance, procurement, logistics and human resources management.

Desired

• Experience in UN rules and regulations, particularly relating to procurement, finance and security management.

• 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. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• 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.