UNOPS is recruiting a Project Management Support Specialist in Brussels, Belgium, at ICS 10 (mid level) on an IICA 2 contract for 4 months, with extensions subject to budget, project needs and performance. The role supports UN Secretariat partners, including the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT), and requires fluent English and French. Applications close on 15 November 2026 at midnight Copenhagen time (CET). At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the full vacancy, and every function, requirement and condition is listed below.
Vacancy 4896 in Brief
💼 Position title: Project Management Support Specialist
🗂️ Job category: Project & Programme Management
📍 Duty station: Brussels
📊 Seniority level: Mid Level
🎚️ ICS level: ICS 10
📝 Contract type: ICA - IICA - Regular
🏷️ Contract level: IICA 2
⏳ Duration: 4 months (extensions subject to budget availability, project needs and satisfactory performance)
🗓️ Posting end date: 15 November 2026
Job Highlight
Under UNOPS supervision, this position supports project success through operational excellence, data-driven insights and seamless coordination.
The UNOPS Global Portfolios Office
🌍 The Global Portfolios Office (GPO) brings together diverse expertise to help partners deliver impact worldwide
🏙️ It has hubs in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with 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
🎯 It supports UNOPS' strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals across more than 130 countries
🤝 It works closely with governments, international financial institutions and UN agencies, delivering services such as project management, fund management, hosting services and HR support
🌱 Thematic focus: climate action and energy, health, peace and security, sustainable development and humanitarian action
Development and Special Initiatives Team
The UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team works with UN partners and Member States. The portfolio supports various initiatives and priorities of the UN Secretary-General in pursuit of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, and helps the UN Secretariat implement global programmes in areas such as political affairs, climate, counterterrorism and peacebuilding, among others.
The Sustainable Development Cluster
🧩 The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations
🔗 It was formed by combining Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS) and the Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP)
🗽 It serves programmes designed and managed with a global perspective, primarily for partners headquartered in New York
🗺️ The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries
Working With the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism
DSI supports the delivery of several UN Secretariat partners, including UNOCT, established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions:
🏛️ Provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandate across the UN System
🧭 Enhance coordination and coherence across the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact to ensure balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy
🛠️ Strengthen the delivery of UN counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States
📣 Improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilisation for UN counter-terrorism efforts
🌐 Ensure due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the UN System and that work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy
Role Purpose
The Project Management Support Specialist coordinates and supports the planning, implementation and monitoring of projects, ensuring delivery 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 keeps activities in line with UNOPS policies, donor/partner requirements and quality standards. It provides analytical and operational support, tracks financial and performance data, identifies risks or implementation challenges and coordinates timely solutions, helping projects reach their objectives and strengthening partner relationships.
Project Delivery and Performance
📅 Support planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities in line with approved work plans, budgets and quality standards
⚙️ Coordinate day-to-day project operations for 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 for compliance and value for money
♻️ Embed sustainability principles, including gender equality, social inclusion and environmental considerations, across project activities
🚀 Contribute to identifying and developing new project opportunities or extensions of existing engagements
Financial and Procurement Management
💶 Support financial planning, monitoring and reporting for effective budget use 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, including preparing Terms of Reference (ToRs), evaluating bids and contract administration
🔍 Coordinate with finance and procurement teams for compliance, transparency and proper documentation
📊 Prepare and review financial reports and participate in project audits, ensuring recommendations are implemented
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🌍 All opportunities in Belgium →
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Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination
🤝 Maintain effective working relationships with donors, partners, national authorities and other stakeholders
📢 Support development and implementation of stakeholder engagement and communication plans
👥 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 to UNOPS and donor/partner standards
🧮 Conduct data analysis and provide inputs for management decisions and strategic planning
✅ Apply quality assurance processes to all deliverables, documents and outputs
🛡️ Support compliance with internal audit and quality standards, coordinating corrective action as required
Personnel Management (As Applicable)
🎖️ Assist in supervising, guiding and motivating project team members
🗃️ Contribute to recruitment, onboarding and performance management, upholding gender balance and diversity principles
💙 Promote a respectful, inclusive and safe working environment aligned with UNOPS' zero-tolerance policy for misconduct, discrimination and harassment
🦺 Ensure compliance with UNDSS safety and security standards for all project staff and operations
Knowledge Building and Sharing
🎓 Support the organisation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management
💬 Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs)
📝 Conduct research on project management topics and help draft reports, summaries and briefing notes
Skills
🔢 Data Analysis
🏗️ Project Implementation
📄 Reporting
👥 Stakeholder Management
💻 Enterprise Communication & Collaboration
Competencies UNOPS Looks For
🔭 Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally, and anticipates the impact of decisions on other parts of the organisation
⚖️ Treats all individuals with respect, responds sensitively to differences, upholds organisational and ethical norms and is a role model for diversity and inclusion
🌟 Acts as a positive role model for team spirit and supports the development of others; for people managers, motivates, directs and inspires others with appropriate leadership styles
🎯 Understands the impact of the role on partners, puts the end beneficiary first and builds strong external relationships
🏁 Establishes an appropriate course of action to accomplish goals, shows concern for quality, takes initiative and uses resources responsibly
🔄 Is open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment, adapts to changing requirements and performs consistently under pressure
🧠 Evaluates data to reach logical, pragmatic decisions, takes calculated risks and applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving
🗣️ Expresses ideas clearly, concisely and openly, listens actively, shares knowledge and handles conflict effectively
Education Requirements
🎓 Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Business Administration & Finance, International Relations, Political Sciences, Supply Chain Management & Logistics, with five (5) years of relevant experience; or
📘 First level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in any discipline with seven (7) years of relevant experience, in lieu of the advanced degree
🏅 Desired: a globally recognised professional certificate or membership in Project Management
Experience Requirements
📌 Relevant experience means progressively responsible experience in project management or related areas
🖥️ Demonstrable proficiency in collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite) and web-based management systems is required
🌏 Desired: experience in multicultural environments or UN system organisations in a developing country
🆘 Desired: experience in development or humanitarian contexts
Language Requirements
🇬🇧 English: Fluent, required
🇫🇷 French: Fluent, required
Closing Time and Selection
🕛 Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date; late applications will not be considered
📞 Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to the next stage, which may include various assessments
📭 UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes
🚫 UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request payments of any kind
🧩 Shortlisted candidates who need support or reasonable accommodation for an assessment should inform the human resources team upon receiving their invitation
Diversity and Equal Opportunity
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Its workforce spans a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations and abilities. Applications are evaluated on the skills, qualifications and experience in the vacancy announcement, and UNOPS welcomes diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialised communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
Zero Tolerance and Background Checks
🛑 UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment
🔐 Background checks are conducted for all final candidates; by applying, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes
📋 Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of background checks
Terms and Conditions
⬇️ For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than advertised
📚 For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (around 4 hours) in your own time before providing services; refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required, and no compensation is paid for taking them
📜 All UNOPS personnel perform their duties in line with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, and must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda
Find more international roles in the jobs listings on Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What contract does the UNOPS Project Management Support Specialist role in Brussels offer?
It is an ICA - IICA - Regular contract at IICA 2 level, graded ICS 10 (mid level). The duration is 4 months, with extensions subject to budget availability, project needs and satisfactory performance.
Which UN office does this role support?
The role sits in the UNOPS Development and Special Initiatives team, which supports UN Secretariat partners including the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT).
How much experience do I need?
You need five years of relevant experience with a Master's degree in a listed field, or seven years with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. Relevant experience means progressively responsible work in project management or related areas.
Which languages are required?
Both English and French are required at a fluent level.
Is a project management certification required?
No, it is desired rather than required. A globally recognised professional certificate or membership in project management is listed as an asset.
Does UNOPS charge any fees during recruitment?
No. UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process ask candidates to make payments of any kind.
What is the exact closing time?
Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on 15 November 2026. Applications received after the closing date are not considered.
Deadline
⏳ 15 November 2026
Links
🔗 Vacancy page: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Project-Management-Support-Specialist/4896
📝 Apply: https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/Login?jobId=4896
