Regional Project Manager and Developer

The LCO Regional Office has several projects to be managed and numerous initiatives to be developed during 2012-13. Those projects and initiatives need management and strategic guidance to develop and finalize concepts and proposals, including guidance on alternative institutional arrangements that will allow programs to be successfully delivered. The Regional Project Manager and Developer will be responsible for several projects to be developed and implemented out of the Regional Office and will assist country offices in the region. S/he will also assess the political, development and humanitarian needs in the region and will guide the Regional Director accordingly, ensuring responsiveness to the requirements and priorities expressed by Governments, IFIs, donors, UN agencies, and other international partners.

The incumbent of this position should be able to support all phases of project development and management, and adapt and conceptualize the operational and strategic aspects of a particular project/program, in order to meet the changing needs of the country and clients, and ensure that the program continues to grow, delivers the expected results, and has full cost recovery. The position requires relevant project management experience, including knowledge of crisis and disaster response, and entails a significant amount of written communication, including reports, concept papers, project proposals, and outreach material.

The overall objective of the position is to contribute to the development and growth of the LCO portfolio. This is done through a combination of concrete project management, advisory, and project development activities, with a particular emphasis on crisis and disaster response. The overall functions include development and management of projects, development of new strategic initiatives, concrete project proposals, and different outreach and awareness activities, aimed at developing new business lines, securing funding, and ensuring that programmes add value and are successfully delivered.

The Regional Project Manager and Developer is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Competencies

• Knowledge of UNOPS project management and other UNOPS practices;
• Knowledge of international politics and development issues and strategies, including programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation;
• Knowledge of humanitarian and development policies, procedures, and cooperation, preferably from emergency situations, including knowledge of civil-military cooperation, the cluster system, ODA/funds mobilization schemes, and proposal writing;
• Ability to assess and determine the current needs and opportunities for UNOPS in a country;
• Ability to make strategic and tactical decisions to establish UNOPS as the provider of choice in the country;
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas;
• Proven ability to perform successful business development;
• Proven ability to conduct political analysis and prepare sensitive material;
• Excellent analytical and verbal and written communication skills;
• Accountability, client orientation, and ability to perform advocacy in a politically sensitive environment;
• High professional standards and behaviour, leading to high-quality products, transparency and openness that encourages respect and similar behaviour from colleagues;
• Ability to work in a team in an environment based on UNOPS culture and work ethics that are both responsive to client needs and respectful of internal and external colleagues and partners.

Education/Experience/Language

• Masters degree or equivalent, preferably in Project Management, Business Administration, Political Science, International Relations, Organizational Development or other fields related to the work of UNOPS. The Master Degree can be substituted by Bachelor degree with relevant years of experience.

• Participation in official training in areas relevant to project management, humanitarian affairs, and political analysis are also a strong asset.

• Minimum 7 years of work experience in international relations, including political analysis, project management, business development, and project development and implementation in complex environments.

• Prior work experience from the United Nations system, including political, development and humanitarian settings is a strong asset. Following the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, UNOPS has scaled up its operations through a broad range of new project activities. As the incumbent will be significantly involved in backstopping the Haiti office, including official travel, prior work experience from Haiti is an asset.

• Fluency in Spanish and English must be able to effectively communicate in both oral and written form. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese is a strong asset.