Programme Management Officer

• Position Title: Programme Management Officer
• Job Category: Programme
• Seniority Level: Associate
• ICS Level: ICS 08
• Contract: Type ICA – LICA – Specialist – Regular
• Contract: Level LICA 8
• Duration: ongoing (subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability)

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions.

HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Job Specific Context

The Programme Management Officer will play a crucial role in facilitating the development of new business and partnership relationships between UNOPS and its partners, as well as expanding UNOPS presence in Ethiopia. The incumbent will work closely with Project managers, PMO, PSO, the MCO Partnership Specialists and other relevant support service units to expand the business and client base.

Role Purpose

Under the supervision and overall guidance of the MCO Partnerships Specialist, the Programme Management Officer is responsible for facilitating the development of new business and partnership relationships between UNOPS and its partners, as well as expanding UNOPS presence in Ethiopia.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Development and follow-up of business opportunities

• Contributes and supports the development and implementation of the MCO business strategy.
• Conducts research on donor aid flows worldwide, UN and other agencies, trends in aid, potential future markets for growth, creating criteria for selecting target markets and partners, comparison of donor types, and market with special emphasis to the MCO core business.
• Explore potential for new programs and develop proposals for submission to partners.
• Synthesizes and summarizes information relevant to business development and prepare relevant reports, briefing notes/talking points/presentations and other materials for internal and external use.
• Advocates UNOPS as a partner and service provider of choice.
• Supports development of strategic partnerships with key counterparts and business opportunities.
• Maintain and develop contacts and partnerships within the donor community (UN agencies, host government, donor governments, donor organizations, etc.), monitor communications and follow-up activities.
• Support the MCO Leadership team on the implementation and monitoring progress/ reporting of corporate and strategic initiatives.
• Identifies requirements related to marketing materials and the distribution thereof, as well as any reports/publications required for existing and potential clients and partners.
• Communicates with the relevant UNOPS personnel on matters pertaining to their respective responsibilities in relation to program and business development.
• Develops UNOPS capacity statements for the various services provided by UNOPS.
• Supports the MCO operations and contributes to knowledge sharing, enhancing the harmonization of projects while facilitating synergies with team members.

2. Project Support

• Prepares project documents, legal agreements, budgets and support engagement clearance.
• Assists in the preparation of meetings and events, draft talking points, and meeting minutes.
• Supports MCO leadership team in project compliance and quality assurance, by providing up-to-date analysis of project progress, by keeping track of performance vs portfolio Key Performance Indicators – KPIs.
• Collaborates with business area teams to understand project requirements, shape the initial project request, and provide a high-level estimate of the project effort and costs.
• Support to internal coordination of corporate and strategic initiatives, planning and reporting and knowledge sharing and communications.

3. Support communication and knowledge management

• Promote the circulation of information within the MCO and its units, in order to support knowledge management and create cross synergies within the MCO units.
• Together with the communication unit produce high-quality communications and visibility materials of the MCO on websites.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Supports preparation of the monthly KPI reports as per the MCO target agreement.
• Prepare periodic updates on the progress of Corporate action plans.
• Provide ad hoc research on potential business partners.
• Involve in the induction of new staff about UNOPS, its mandates, systems and operation

Skills

• Market Analysis, Partnerships, Proposal Writing, Report Writing.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Business/Commerce, Marketing, Economics, Management, International Affairs, Political science, Development Studies, or related fields with 2 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 1 year of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Certifications in PRINCE2® Foundation and PRINCE2® Practitioner is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in donor relations and/or business development functions is required.

Desired

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

• Experience in partnership development and commercial and legal agreements is desired.

• Experience in communication and liaison with government and international organization is desired.

Language Requirements