By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Senior Project Assistant, Multiple positions

Chipinge

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Chipinge
  • Grade: Administrative support - LICA-5, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Administrative support
    • Administration
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

Following devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by tropical storm Idai in March 2019, the WB has allocated up to US$ 75 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe. The project addresses both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture). UNOPS has been requested to establish a multiple projects in Zimbabwe to assist with the recovery of the selected areas in Zimbabwe that were most affected by the storm. 

The Senior Project Assistant reports to the Project Support Officer who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting the Project Support Officer with the day-to-day operations of the mission and coordinating mission progress and implementation. He/she maintains a close eye on the operational and financial performance, identifies probable issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinate resolution as per action-items assigned, drafting required correspondences to stakeholders concerned and preparation of mission reports.  
The role can often be required to work in complex and challenging environments with limited resources. 

There are multiple projects and sections that require Senior Project Assistants including the World Bank funded Zimbabwe Hurricane Idai Recovery Project (ZIRP) and the AFDB funded Socioeconomic Recovery Project. 

The Senior Project Assistants required will be for the locations of Chimanimani and Chipinge.

Functional Responsibilities

  • Assist in preparation of periodic accounting records by recording receipts and disbursements (ledgers, cashbooks, vouchers, etc) and reconciling data for recurring or special reports.
  • When authorized, make disbursements from Petty Cash and/or Operational Advance Accounts; maintain records of these disbursements and balances accounts as required.
  • Assist in maintain financial records for project or other office accounts for which responsibility is assigned. Records receipts and payments, assures accuracy of computation and completeness of documents and maintain continuing status of allotments against obligations.
  • Assist in calculation and payment of salaries, allowances and travel claims.
  • Organize movements of project staff and goods to the project sites; prepare of Travel Authorizations,
  • Movement of Personnel and Cargo Movement Request.
  • Assist project staff on renewal of visa, travel permits and police registration.
  • Assist in managing the project allocated vehicles and other assets with timely repair and maintenance, maximizing operational efficiencies to the project implementation.
  • Whenever required, raise requisitions in oneUNOPS for the project support procurement and purchasing requirements for the Project Manager’s approval.
  • Assist in maintenance of Property, Plant and Equipment register and operational data bases.
  • Organize stationeries and other consumables for the project team day to day operations.
  • Assist in scanning, copying of documents and maintaining proper filing system and document archives.
  • Perform other duties to support the project team as required.
Impact of Results 
The Senior Project Assistant directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting the Project Manager to adhere to project management methods and strategies, reduced risks, cut costs and improved success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of  UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Core competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional competencies:

  • Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural hazards and humanitarian crisis).
  • Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments
  • Cope effectively with competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and non-negotiable deadlines.


Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education
  • A Secondary School Education is required
  • First University Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, or equivalent disciplines is desirable but not required
  • In the absence of a degree, administrative certification is an asset
Certification:
  • PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner an asset
Experience
  • Minimum five (5) years of relevant experience in general administrative or operations’ support services in national or international public or corporate organizations
  • Two (2) years experience in use of computers and office software packages (MS Office) and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required
  • Experience in use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems including OneUNOPS is desirable
  • Experience working in financial reporting, operational transactions and will be an added advantage
  • Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable
Language
  • Fluency in written and oral English language is required
  • Fluency in one or more additional official UNOPS languages is an advantage.

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • This is a local post and it is only open to Zimbabwe Nationals or persons with valid residence permits
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local International Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA 5/ ICS 5
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

In your application please state your preferred locations. UNOPS cannot guarantee that the preferred location will be guaranteed, however we will do our best to align the candidates preference with the project requirements.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
Background Information - Zimbabwe The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and several Island states. 2019, the WB has allocated up to US$ 72 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank has allocated US$ 25 million to finance socioeconomic recovery in Zimbabwe.

 4 Senior Project Assistants will be required for the above mentioned projects (2 based in Chipinge and 2 based in Chimanimani)  


Background Information - Kenya

Kenya
The UNOPS Kenya office manages more than 60 projects in around 10 countries of eastern and southern Africa. UNOPS in Kenya helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, the environment, grant management and rural development.

This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: