Programme Management Specialist at The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

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.  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.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Management Specialist

Vacancy code: VA/2021/B5001/21346
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Job categories: Programme Management
Level: ICS-10
Department / office: NYSC, Peace and Security Cluster
Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-2
Duration: Open-ended

Background Information - PSC
Peace and Security Cluster:

• The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners.  It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients.  The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Background Information - UNMAS

• Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal point for mine action and supports its vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.”
• UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions.
• UNMAS establishes, manages, and provides strategic direction to mine-action coordination centres in countries and territories as part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises. In these situations, UNMAS may plan and carry out mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action service providers, and set priorities for mine clearance, mine-risk education and all other aspects of mine action.

Background Information - Job Specific

• The incumbent will be responsible for project management and implementation, in particular coordinating and ensuring that implementing partners are equipped to achieve goals in line with the Country Programme Strategy (CPS).
• The Programme Management Specialist will be working on a project funded by the Government of Japan.
• As the sole funding source for the engagement, Japan plays a significant role in the design and implementation in the project.
• The Programme Management Specialist will provide the primary interface and liaison with representatives of the Japanese Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and s / he will communicate status updates verbally, in writing and via ad-hoc reporting, where the primary language will be Japanese.

Functional Responsibilities
The Programme Management Specialist will work under the overall supervision of the Programme Manager. The duties and responsibilities are as follows:

Programme management support:

• Manage the Japanese funded Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) project to include engagement with Japanese stakeholders at field and capital level,
• Communicate and liaise with the Japanese donor to the Programme and any strategic Japanese partners. Drafting of Japanese language reports, briefings, press releases and social media posts in line with the project document requirements.
• Build a stable and strong partnership with the Japanese counterparts to support increased resource mobilisation for the programme.
• Support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of Country Programme objectives.
• Support  the design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.
• Support  the preparation for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.
• Establish and build relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• Contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Contribute to the Mine Action Area of Responsibility/Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, where relevant, including the formulation of the mine action components for the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Response Plan Response plan, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
• Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.

Programme management support:

• Manage the Japanese funded EORE project to include contract management of implementing partners,
• In collaboration with relevant personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.
• Prepare in draft form for UNMAS Programme Officers, high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
• Coordinate communications between the Country Programme office and the headquarters Programme, Portfolio Management, and Risk, Quality and Partnership teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.
• Provide review / input to scopes of work for procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review implementing partner reports to ensure requirements are being met.
• Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, donors, and headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, Coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding agreements.

Programme development planning and coordination:

• Coordinate the review / update of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS)  in line with relevant UN and government and / or national or regional strategies. Ensure CPS reflects in-house capacity, budget, typology of delivery areas and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
• Support the Programme Manager to translate the Strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.

Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities:

• Monitor humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.
• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in programme design as relevant.
• Draft and / or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
• In coordination with headquarters Resource Mobilization personnel, support the review, submission, negotiation, and signature of funding agreements.
• Coordinate the identification, design, and formulation of new activities to meet programme objectives.
• Coordinate preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.

Knowledge management and document management and innovation:

• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes.
• Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
• Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme development and implementation.
• Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance

People management:

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Act as OIC in the absence of more senior management.
• Carry out any other related duties as needed.

Education / Experience / Language Requirements
Education:

• Advanced University Degree with five years of relevant experience.
• University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with seven years of relevant experience.

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English is required (speaking, reading, and writing)
• Fluency in Japanese is required (speaking, reading and writing)

Competencies:

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• 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.
• 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).

Contract type, level and duration:

• Contract type: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA 2
• Contract duration: open-ended

For more details about Individual Contractor, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits / interns.
• Recruitment / internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement

Application Deadline  17th March, 2021.