Project Management Support Associate

Overview
Support project managers in technical and administrative tasks

You have:

High school diploma is required.
A university diploma in Engineering/Architecture, Business Administration, Economics, Social Sciences, or related fields is a plus and may replace several years of experience.
Two to six years of relevant professional experience in project management assistance is required.
Experience participating in public procurement projects, social infrastructure projects, or public health projects is valued.
Intermediate knowledge of the English language is valued.
Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is required.
Use of computer tools such as Google Suite and MsProject is valued.
Contract
This is a LICA-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements . It is normally only for nationals . It’s an external contract. It usually requires 6 years of experience , depending on education. More about LICA-6 contracts .

Details
Background Information – Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations agency responsible for infrastructure, procurement, and project management (General Assembly Resolution 65/176 of 2010). Our mission is to help people improve their lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS’ three priority areas are:

i) Sustainable infrastructure: UNOPS designs, builds, repairs, and maintains infrastructure in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Its activities focus on infrastructure development in transport, education, and health, among other areas.

ii) Public Procurement: UNOPS is a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and Governments. It emphasizes efficient, transparent, and sustainable delivery of goods and services.

iii) Project management: UNOPS manages more than a thousand humanitarian, development and peacebuilding projects each year for various partners, ensuring quality, effectiveness and results that meet the highest standards.

UNOPS’s work seeks environmental, social, and economic sustainability, which contributes to progress in equity and the common good in the countries where it operates, thus promoting the improvement of the living conditions of the most needy. UNOPS is present in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its services, products, and technical assistance comply with the public administration principles of transparency, equity, integrity, free competition, impartiality, morality, effectiveness, efficiency, and respect for national institutions.

About Our Culture:

Our work contributes to building the foundation for countries and communities to achieve peace and sustainable development, guided by our values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility, and Humanity.

UNOPS celebrates diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. UNOPS encourages qualified female candidates, as well as qualified candidates from underrepresented groups in the UNOPS workforce, to apply. These groups include individuals from racialized or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.

Local context:

The multi-country office manages projects in Peru and Ecuador and is therefore expanding its portfolio to countries in the Andean region (Ecuador and Bolivia). The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for infrastructure implementation projects for the Government of Ecuador, with the possibility of implementing projects in the remaining countries of the Andean region. The areas in which UNOPS works in the Andean region are: water and sanitation, public transportation, health infrastructure, medical equipment procurement, ambulances, and general goods procurement.

UNOPS has implemented various projects in Ecuador for the procurement and contracting of goods such as trolleybuses and ambulances, building a strong relationship with various development agents. Furthermore, among the population and users, there is a positive perception of the services UNOPS provides and how it is contributing to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Ecuador.

Project information:

The UNOPS Andean Multi-Country Office is developing projects in Ecuador and the city of Quito. It recently signed an agreement with the EPMMOP (National Road Transport and Development Authority) to improve traffic through new road infrastructure projects and the rehabilitation of existing roads. To achieve this, the project will be managed with various stakeholders, project beneficiaries, and other public entities.

Functional Responsibilities
The assignment of Project Management Support Associates is intended to support project managers in their role of ensuring the proper technical and administrative management of the project.

Project Management Support Associates will report to Project Managers, interacting with technical project staff, support services staff, and other office support associates.

Expected results

Project implementation

Support members of the technical operations team in the correct management of information, ensuring correspondence, accuracy, and promptness in reporting.
Attend weekly project meetings, providing updates on the project status and assisting in the preparation of the corresponding minutes.
Support in quality control of administrative processes and procedures.
Support the project team in the call for proposals and logistics processes for missions, events, and workshops in all their phases, as well as in the organization and logistics of project work meetings, taking into account the procedures and requirements of the relevant areas (Management, Technical, Administration, Communications, Procurement, etc.).
Review that all minutes and reports required for each of the project strategies comply with the requirements of the Partner and UNOPS guidelines.
Ensure that the flow of information between the project team and the office’s support and management services units is coordinated and organized.
Support general operational issues as requested.
Financial and procurement management

Support in budget control, execution, and the preparation of projected cash flows for the project through control and monitoring mechanisms for each component, anticipating variations and/or deviations and promptly informing PMs (Project Managers).
Ensure proper recording of information in UNOPS systems (OneUNOPS ERP and OneUNOPS Projects)
Produce financial monitoring reports under UNOPS standards and requirements, using corporate platforms.
Alert the project manager in a timely manner about deficits and cost overruns generated by the project.
Support project budget reviews and the implementation of corrective initiatives, if applicable.
Support the monitoring of contract management and payment processes for suppliers and third parties.
Project monitoring and reporting

Support in the generation of technical reports, incorporating graphs and pivot tables where necessary.
Support in monitoring the achievement of milestones and commitments in project work schedules, assisting in their design and updating.
Assist in the preparation of monthly and periodic technical and financial reports. Assist PMs in keeping project records organized and up-to-date.
Support project documentation management (including the supervised development of specific formats if necessary) following the standards of the archive manual. Ensure that documentation is always up-to-date by communicating across all involved areas.
Maintain the project drive up to date and appropriately, ensuring proper project document management.
Management and coordination of the parties

Support in the preparation, organization, and follow-up of documents/communications with and for counterparties, taking into account the standards and guidelines of the relevant areas.
Participate in any meeting of interest to the project at the request of the project managers.
Support for updating and developing the project’s communication plan.
Competencies ES
Demonstrates an understanding of the impact their role has on all stakeholders and always puts the beneficiary first. Develops and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner to others (where applicable). Evaluates data and procedures to reach logical and pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased and rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to the problem-solving process. Effectively establishes a course of action for themselves and/or others to achieve a goal. Actions result in the successful completion of the task with special attention to quality in all areas. Identifies opportunities and takes the initiative to act. Understands that the responsible use of resources maximizes the impact we can have on our stakeholders. Treats all individuals with respect, responds tactfully to differences, and encourages others to do the same. Upholds ethical and organizational standards. Maintains high standards of trust. Is a role model for diversity and inclusion. Is open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Adapts perspective to changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on past experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvement. Expresses ideas or facts clearly, concisely, and openly. Communication indicates consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Listens actively and proactively shares knowledge. Manages conflict effectively by overcoming differences of opinion and seeking common ground. Acts as a positive role model who contributes to team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For HR Managers only: Using appropriate leadership styles, acts as a positive leadership role model, motivating, directing, and inspiring others to succeed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education

High school diploma is required.
A university diploma (Engineering/Architecture, Business Administration or Economics, Social Sciences or related fields) will be considered valuable and may replace some of the required years of experience.
Experience

Relevant professional experience of between two and six years, depending on the level of education provided, in the field of project management assistance, preferably for public infrastructure development projects, is required.

Experience in:
Participation in public procurement projects or social infrastructure or public health.
Planning, monitoring, measurement and development of projects.
Preparation of budgets and control of financial provisions.
Support and execution of activities aimed at business development.
Use of computer tools such as Google Suite and MsProject.
Language

Proficiency in spoken and written Spanish is required.
Intermediate knowledge of the English language will be valued.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract Type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA). This is a regular monthly contract, meaning continued service provision is required for the duration of the contract, with payments due at the end of each calendar month. Contract Level : Local, Level 6 (LICA 6).

Candidates must be Ecuadorian nationals or have a valid Ecuadorian residency/work permit at the time of applying for this position. Contract duration : Open-ended, indefinite contract subject to organizational requirements, budget availability, and satisfactory performance evaluation.

UNOPS is an inclusive employer and we invite applications from women, men, and diverse groups. Work-life balance: UNOPS values ​​its staff and recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance between professional and personal responsibilities. We have a work-life balance policy and offer several flexible scheduling options. This policy applies to UNOPS staff, regardless of their contract type.