Project Management Support Associate

United Nations Office for Project Services; Philipsburg (Centre County); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

UNOPS Programme Office Sint Maarten (POSXM) in Phillipsburg supports the Detention Sector Reform Programme, contributing to capacity-building and reform initiatives aligned with international standards.

The Project Management Support Associate provides coordinating support for planning, budgeting, training delivery, and reporting to ensure timely project implementation and compliance with donor requirements.

Qualifications

• Required tertiary degree in criminal justice, criminology, law, public policy, public administration or related field.
• 2+ years of relevant experience in project support, reform or policy contexts is desirable.
• Experience with budgeting, procurement or donor reporting is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and coordinate project activities; support senior technical leads and managers.
• Coordinate logistics for trainings, meetings and workshops; assist in developing training materials.
• Develop and maintain monitoring tools, progress trackers and risk/issue registers.
• Provide operational and logistical support including procurement, travel and inventory management.
• Support knowledge sharing, reporting and drafting of minutes and briefs.

Skills

Criminal Justice

Data Analysis

Monitoring

Evaluation

Project Management

Report Writing

Rule Of Law

Stakeholder Engagement

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, law, public policy, public administration or related field

Tools

MS Office

G‑Suite

Job description

UNODC United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

Position Title

Project Management Support Associate

Job Category

Duty Station(s)

Philipsburg

Seniority Level

Associate

ICS 06

Contract Type

ICA - LICA - Support - Regular

LICA 6

Posting Start Date

06-Nov-2026

Posting End Date

20-Nov-2026

Duration

31 December 2026, with the possibility of renewal, subject to the availability of funds, organizational needs, project duration, and satisfactory performance.

Job Highlight

Supporting project success through seamless support and operational excellence.

About the Project Office

In Sint Maarten, UNODC is supporting the Ministry of Justice through the Detention Sector Reform Programme (DSRP), a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening prison management, rehabilitation and reintegration services, staff professionalization, institutional policies and procedures, and preparations for the transition to a new correctional facility. The programme supports the development of a modern correctional system aligned with international standards, including the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

This position is located in the Programme Office in Sint Maarten (POSXM), with duty station in Philipsburg, under the Regional Office for Central America and the Caribbean (ROPAN), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative for Central America and the Caribbean and the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator leading the UNODC Programme Office in Sint Maarten.

Job Specific Context

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP). It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed a Global Agreement with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to operationally support the implementation of their mandate through the provision of Human Resources services.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an office of the United Nations Secretariat established in 1997 to assist Member States in their efforts to combat illicit drugs, crime, and terrorism, is one of the partners under UNTSS.

Headquartered in Vienna, Austria, UNODC operates globally to support the development and implementation of policies and programmes that address a wide range of issues, including drug trafficking and abuse, organized crime, corruption, human trafficking, migrant smuggling, cybercrime, and terrorism prevention. Through research, policy advice, capacity-building, and technical assistance, UNODC works to strengthen justice systems, promote international cooperation, and uphold the rule of law and human rights in the fight against transnational threats.

Role Purpose

The Project Management Support Associate provides substantive support to the planning, coordination and delivery of project activities. The role collaborates closely with project stakeholders to maintain effective coordination, facilitate operations and ensure activities are delivered efficiently in line with the project’s results framework and internal processes.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Planning and Preparation

Support senior technical leads or project managers in stakeholder engagement, training needs assessment, and development of capacity-building programmes.

Contribute to budget preparation, procurement processes, and identification of risks with mitigation measures.

Assist in drafting project agreements, amendments, and budget revisions in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Training and Implementation Support

Coordinate logistics for training sessions, workshops, and meetings (venues, materials, accommodation, catering, assessments, certification)

Support the development of training materials and the integration of thematic inputs into delivery.

Liaise with service providers, retainers and project stakeholders to ensure effective project implementation.

Facilitate internal and external communications to minimize operational disruption and maintain consistent project delivery.

Monitoring, Reporting and Compliance

Develop and update monitoring tools, progress tracking sheets, and risk/ issue registers.

Collect, prepare and archive documentation related to training and project activities.

Contribute to drafting and quality assurance of reports, meeting minutes, and donor/partner submissions.

Track project milestones and alert managers on deadlines and reporting requirements.

Ensure compliance with UNODC policies, procedures and donor requirements.

Operational and Logistical Support

Coordinate procurement, travel, transport and inventory management in support of project operations.

Support HR-related project requirements (e.g. drafting terms of reference for positions, monitoring deliverables, recruitment activities, etc).

Manage project files, shared drives, and document management systems to ensure real-time tracking and accessibility.

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

Criminal Justice, Data Analysis, Human Rights, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, Project Management, Report Writing, Rule Of Law, Stakeholder Engagement, Active collaboration

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

Secondary school (or equivalent) with 6 years of relevant professional experience OR

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in criminal justice, criminology, law, public policy, public administration, social or health sciences, development studies, or a related field, with 2 years of relevant experience is required.

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in criminal justice, criminology, law, public policy, public administration, social or health sciences, development studies, or a related field.

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

Experience Requirements

Required

Relevant experience in supporting processes of criminal justice, rule of law, public sector reform, social policy, or other related areas is required.

Experience in project management, programme implementation, public policy, criminal justice, institutional reform, or other related areas is required.

Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G‑Suite, etc) and web-based management systems is required.

Experience working in the Caribbean, particularly in Sint Maarten, including with government institutions or in the implementation of social, development, or public sector initiatives, is 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

Additional Information

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here .
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.