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 Nairobi, UNOPS East and Southern Africa supports sustainable development across 14 countries, including Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zanzibar, and Zimbabwe. Since 1995, UNOPS has expanded its footprint in Kenya, delivering services in project management, infrastructure, procurement, and financial management. Across the region, the office implements diverse, partner-funded initiatives that respond to national priorities. In Mozambique, this includes delivering specialized equipment (EU), supporting health services (UNICEF), promoting agro-processing (KOICA), and advancing peacebuilding efforts through a Multi-Donor Fund. UNOPS also supports agricultural input distribution and the Northern Crisis Recovery Project, both funded by the World Bank. In Malawi, efforts include developing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres in partnership with the EU and the British Council. These initiatives reflect UNOPS’ commitment to strengthening national capacities, enhancing service delivery, and supporting progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the region.

About the Project Office

Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA):

The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African country-led international partnership that brings together governments and stakeholders working to accelerate the deployment of renewables to enhance energy access, enable green industrialization, and improve economic and societal resilience. Launched by African countries and international partners during the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi in September 2023, the Partnership promotes a holistic approach to the energy transition, provides political leadership, mobilizes action and commitments from public and private entities, and coordinates international efforts for meaningful systemic change.

APRA’s membership currently comprises Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Ghana and Sierra Leone. As its foundational phase comes to an end, APRA is expanding to engage more countries with high ambitions for renewable energy and green industrialisation in Africa and beyond.

Job Specific Context

The Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) is an African country-led international partnership that brings together governments and stakeholders working to accelerate the deployment of renewables to enhance energy access, energy security and enable green industrialisation. To accelerate and optimize the implementation of APRA on the ground and enhance its operational and programme management capacities, UNOPS/ESAMCO is hosting the APRA Implementation Office.

The role reports to the APRA Director.

Role Purpose

The Project Management Support Specialist coordinates and supports the effective planning, implementation and monitoring of projects, ensuring delivery of results within the agreed scope, time, cost, quality and risk parameters. The role supports day-to-day project operations, liaises with partners, donors and beneficiaries, and ensures that project activities are in line with UNOPS policies, donor/partner requirements, and quality standards. The Project Management Support Specialist provides analytical and operational support, tracks financial and performance data, identifies risks or implementation challenges, and coordinates timely solutions in collaboration with stakeholders. The role therefore contributes towards ensuring that projects achieve their intended objectives, strengthen partner relationships, and contribute to UNOPS’ operational goals.

Functions / Key Results Expected

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 day-to-day project operations to ensure timely delivery of outputs and adherence to UNOPS and donor/partner requirements.
• Manage and monitor progress against scope, time, cost and quality tolerances. Identify risks and deviations, propose corrective actions, and escalate when required.
• Oversee project contracts and supplier performance to ensure compliance and value for money.
• 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.

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.
• Manage cash flow, expenditures and financial commitments, ensuring timely disbursements and accurate financial reporting.
• Support procurement and grant management processes, including preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), evaluation of bids, and contract administration.
• Coordinate with finance and procurement teams to ensure compliance, transparency, and proper documentation of transactions.
• Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits, ensuring implementation of recommendations.

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.
• 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.

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 compl

• Support in the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards.
• Coordinate day-to-day project operations to ensure timely delivery of outputs and adherence to UNOPS and donor/partner requirements.
• Manage and monitor progress against scope, time, cost and quality tolerances. Identify risks and deviations, propose corrective actions, and escalate when required.
• Oversee project contracts and supplier performance to ensure compliance and value for money.
• 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.
• Support financial planning, monitoring and reporting to ensure effective budget utilization and cost control in line with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Manage cash flow, expenditures and financial commitments, ensuring timely disbursements and accurate financial reporting.
• Support procurement and grant management processes, including preparation of Terms of Reference (ToRs), evaluation of bids, and contract administration.
• Coordinate with finance and procurement teams to ensure compliance, transparency, and proper documentation of transactions.
• Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits, ensuring implementation of recommendations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities and other stakeholders to ensure coordinated delivery and alignment with project objectives.
• 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.
• 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 compl