Project Management Support Specialist [Counter Terrorism]

Job Highlight

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for or in the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT). The position supports the work of the Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR) . The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

About the Region

The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide. With hubs in New York, Geneva, and Vienna, and expert teams operating globally, GPO leads multi-regional initiatives that advance sustainable development, climate action, and peacebuilding – including in some of the world’s most challenging environments. By leveraging our collective expertise and global networks, GPO supports UNOPS’ strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries. We work closely with major global partners – including governments, international financial institutions, and UN agencies – to deliver a wide range of services, such as project management, fund management, hosting services, and HR support.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. This portfolio offers support for various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Additionally, it helps the UN Secretariat in implementing global programs in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.

Job Specific Context

UNOPS DSI has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism to implement project activities under the Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration (PRR).

The United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. UNOCT has five mandated functions:

(1) Provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandates entrusted to the Secretary-General from across the United Nations system;

(2) Enhance coordination and coherence across the Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy;

(3) Strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States;

(4) Improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter-terrorism efforts; and

(5) Ensure that due priority is given to counterterrorism across the United Nations system and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy.

Job overview

Under UNOPS supervision and working in close collaboration with UNOCT, the Project Management Support Specialist will support the implementation of activities under the Global Programme on PRR.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the supervision of the UNOPS Project Manager and in close collaboration with the UNOCT Programme Manager of the Global Programme on Prosecution, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (PRR), the Project Management Support Specialist will support the delivery, coordination, monitoring and development of project activities and will be responsible for the following:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

• Support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards.
• Coordinate project activities and develop project management tools to ensure timely delivery of outputs and adherence to UNOPS and donor/partner requirements.
• Support the design and development of programmes and projects, including the preparation of project documents, implementation plans, budgets and results frameworks.
• Conduct or support needs assessments, stakeholder consultations and gap analyses to inform programme development and implementation.
• Manage and monitor progress against scope, time, cost and quality tolerances. Identify risks and deviations, propose corrective actions, and escalate when required.
• Support resource mobilization efforts through the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, donor briefs and related documentation.
• Embed sustainability principles – including gender equality, social inclusion and environmental considerations – across project activities.
• Contribute to the identification and development of new project opportunities or extensions of existing engagements.

2. Financial and Procurement Management

• Support financial planning, monitoring and reporting to ensure effective budget utilization and cost control in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Support procurement and grant management processes, including preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs).

3. Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination

• Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery and alignment with project objectives.
• Coordinate project steering committees and country level coordination mechanisms.
• Support the development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans, ensuring timely and consistent information sharing.
• Facilitate internal coordination among project teams, technical experts and support functions.
• Represent the project in meetings, consultations and external engagements as delegated by the supervisor.

4. Monitoring, Reporting and Quality Assurance

• Monitor project performance against agreed indicators, preparing progress, financial and completion reports in accordance with UNOPS and donor/partner standards.
• Conduct data analysis and provide inputs for management decisions and strategic planning.
• Ensure quality assurance processes are applied to all deliverables, documents and outputs.
• Support compliance with internal audit and quality standards, coordinating corrective action as required.

5. Knowledge Building and Sharing

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

Education Requirements

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in law, political science, international relations, management, economics or related fields with five (5) years of relevant experience is required; or
• First-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent), preferably in law, political science, international relations, management, economics or related fields with seven (7) years of relevant experience is required.

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

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is defined as work in programme and project management in areas related to preventing and countering violent extremism or PRR.
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems.

Desired

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

Language Requirements

Fluent English is required.

Fluent Arabic is desirable.

How to apply

For applying to this position, please access: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/5109?source=malawi24.com/vacancies

Closing date: 22 November 2026