Project Management Office (PMO) - Specialist
2026-08-19        Kabul       Full Time        27
Job Location: Kabul
Nationality: International
Category: Other
Employment Type: Full Time
Salary:
Vacancy Number: VA No. 4039
No. Of Jobs: 1
City: Kabul
Organization: UNOPS
Years of Experience: Relevant experience is work in project management or related areas. Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.
Contract Duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Gender: Male/Female
Education: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
Close date: 2026-08-19

About UNOPS:

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

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

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

 

Job Descriptions:

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

 

Job Requirements:
Role Purpose 

The Project Management Office (PMO) Specialist contributes to the development and continuous improvement of strategic, operational and governance frameworks to ensure that all projects and programmes are effectively designed, prioritized and implemented in alignment with UNOPS and partner objectives. The role supports the management team in strategic planning and portfolio oversight, providing delivery assurance to ensure projects are executed according to UNOPS standards and promoting best practices in project management. The PMO Specialist also ensures the consistent application of project management methodologies, policies and tools across all operations, enabling evidence-based decision-making, optimal resource utilization, and effective delivery of sustainable results. 

Functions / Key Results Expected 
  • Development and Planning 
  • Contribute to strategic oversight, advice and direction on project and programme management activities in line with service agreements and project documents.
  • Support the development, implementation and, when required, revision of project budgets and staffing plans, ensuring alignment and synergy across operations.
  • Establish and maintain resource tracking systems within the PMO to enhance planning, forecasting and delivery tracking.
  • Identify and anticipate risks and issues, providing timely advice and mitigation measures to the supervisor.

 

Project Set-Up and Closure

  • Facilitate the preparation of high-level project and programme plans, consolidating lower-level plans into integrated milestones.
  • Develop, monitor and maintain project dependencies and interdependencies.
  • Provide support on project assets, finance and administrative matters throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Serve as the focal point for project closure activities.
  • Oversee all closure processes, ensuring the proper disposal of assets, final operating, initiation of financial disbursements during Defects Liability Periods and handover of projects to HQ for final financial closure.
  • Ensure timely updates of project information in UNOPS systems (e.g. oneUNOPS).

 

Monitoring and Reporting

  • Prepare, review and issue regular project and programme reports in accordance with donor requirements and UNOPS standards.
  • Continuously assess project performance using scope, cost, schedule and quality criteria.
  • Implement and maintain effective monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems aligned with project logical frameworks.
  • Ensure that all projects define, update and track milestones and performance targets throughout their lifecycle.
  • Analyze delivery data and performance dashboards, identifying trends, risks and corrective measures.
  • Provide analytical reports and financial insights (e.g. delivery forecasts, locally managed cost projections) to support decision-making by project and support services teams. 
  • Coordinate the implementation of project management initiatives and requests from the Regional Office and HQ teams.

 

Quality Assurance 

  • Ensure that projects and programmes comply with UNOPS standards, policies and audit requirements.
  • Collaborate with procurement, finance and audit teams to maintain quality control and compliance with supplier and internal systems.
  • Coordinate quality reviews of project documents, reports and deliverables, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
  • Provide quality assurance for management products, ensuring adherence to corporate standards and client expectations. 
  • Participate as authorized in continuous process improvement initiatives and operational excellence efforts.

 

Personnel Management (as applicable)

  • Assist in supervising, guiding and motivating project team members to achieve high performance and accountability.
  • Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and performance management of personnel, ensuring gender balance and diversity principles are upheld.
  • Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment that aligns with UNOPS’ zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, discrimination and harassment.
  • Ensure compliance with United Nations Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) safety and security standards for all project staff and operations.

 

Knowledge Building and Sharing

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

 

Skills 
Data Analysis, Project Implementation, Project Management, Reporting, Stakeholder Management
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
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).
Excellence
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.
Adaptability
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.
Decision-making
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.
Communication
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.
Education Requirements 

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR
  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

 

Desired

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

 

Experience Requirements 

Required

  • Relevant experience is work in project management or related areas.  
  • Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required.

 

Desired

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

 

Language Requirements 
Language Proficiency Level Requirement
English Fluent Required
 
 

 

 

Submission Guidelines:

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4039 

 

Submission Email:

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/4039

Apply

Similar Jobs