Task description

As Project Cycle Support Specialist, the incumbent will support the Head of the PMO and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in providing technical expertise, leadership, and management to set up and maintain the PMO as detailed below.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

I.Set-up and management of the PMO

-Support the Head of the PMO in undertaking an inventory of the Regional Office’s portfolio, including the following:
o-Identify and organize strategic objectives, business values, etc.
o-Identify project and organization objectives, budgets, project attributes, and priorities
o-Categorize, classify and organize projects
o-Identify gating projects
o-Map projects to strategic goals
o-Launch the portfolio of projects
-Using best practices, standards, and principles and in collaboration with project managers, the Director’s Office and the Administration, contribute to setting up a model for projects that facilitates consistent planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting, and closing.
-Update project schedules and contribute to planning the delivery of projects, i.e. contracts.
-Support the Head of the PMO and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with other tasks as necessary.

II.Project cycle and delivery support

-Provide programming and project support as well as quality assurance to project coordinators throughout the project cycle for individual and interlinked VC projects and RP programmes, including for the following steps:
o-Initiation of new projects
o-Definition of project objectives and theories of change
o-Project planning
o-Budget creation and revision
o-Implementation
o-Monitoring and evaluation
o-Reporting
o-Project closure
-Support project coordinators in delivering projects successfully and meeting targets and requirements within defined timeframes and budgets.
-Provide guidance to project coordinators on procedures and next steps, increasing productivity and accelerating turn-around times.

III.Risk management

-Support the Head of the PMO in evaluating and managing external and internal risks to project delivery.
-Review internal and external capacity and contribute to working with Heads of Sectors and project coordinators to ensure that projects are estimated more accurately and that the right resources are put into the right work at the right time to minimize risks.

IV.Collaborative and evidence-based decision-making

-Using the Organization’s tools and processes, contribute to stimulating a culture of collaboration and evidence-based/data-driven decision-making to strengthen collaborative relationships and promote trust within and beyond project coordination teams.
-Support the Head of the PMO and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer in streamlining data, providing real-time updates on project metrics, and sharing insights with the Director, Heads of Sectors and project coordination teams for proper decision-making and improved project performance.

Results/expected outputs:

In collaboration with the Head of the PMO and the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, the Project Cycle Support Specialist will contribute to providing professional expertise and guidance to Heads of Sectors, project coordinators and other UNESCO colleagues throughout the project cycle to ensure effective project management and delivery, the strategic alignment of programmes and projects, risk management, quality assurance, and evidence-based decision-making.

As an active UNESCO team member, the UN Volunteer provides efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support to UNESCO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions.

Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment.

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

Eligibility criteria
Age
18 – 80

Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements
Required experience
3 years of experience in organizational accountability, strategy, internal audit, oversight, and change management;
-Knowledge of and work experience in project, programme and portfolio management;
-Knowledge of management, compliance, and monitoring and evaluation is desirable;
-Understanding of UNESCO governance, decentralization model, and Field Office Network is desirable;
-Familiarity with United Nations policies, procedures, rules, and regulations is an asset.

Area(s) of expertise
Business management, Development programmes, Facility management

Driving license
–

Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in Advanced university degree in international relations, public administration, social or natural sciences, or a related discipline

Competencies and values