Institutional Strengthening Advisor

Job Description

• Functional Responsibilities:
  
  The purpose of this assignment is to provide expert advisory services to strengthen the capacity of key national and sub-national institutions involved in the planning, implementation, and management of transport infrastructure. The Institutional Strengthening Advisor will work collaboratively with government counterparts to identify institutional weaknesses, develop and implement targeted interventions, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. The Advisor will focus on building sustainable capacity within existing structures, promoting ownership and accountability.
  
  Key Reponsibilities
  
  Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: Identify and map all relevant institutions and stakeholders involved in the transport infrastructure sector (e.g., ministries of transport, planning, finance, local governments, regulatory bodies, training institutions). Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement plan to ensure effective communication and collaboration.
• Institutional Diagnostic and Needs Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the institutional landscape.
• Strategy and Action Plan Development: Based on the diagnostic assessment, develop a comprehensive institutional strengthening strategy and action plan, with clearly defined objectives, activities, timelines, and performance indicators. Ensure the strategy aligns with national development priorities and incorporates principles of good governance, transparency, and sustainability.
• Implementation Support and Technical Assistance.
• Performance Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop and implement a system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the institutional strengthening interventions. Track progress against key performance indicators and identify areas for improvement.
• Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination: Document lessons learned and best practices in institutional strengthening. Develop and disseminate knowledge products (e.g., case studies, toolkits, guidelines) to promote knowledge sharing and replication.
• Risk Management: Identify and assess potential risks to the successful implementation of the institutional strengthening strategy. Develop and implement mitigation measures to address these risks.
• Reporting: Prepare regular progress reports, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.
  
  
  To access the full list of roles and responsibilities, please download the terms of references attached to the announcement.
  
  Education/Experience/Language requirements:
  
  
• Education
• Advanced University Degree (equivalent to a Master’s Degree) in Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Develpment Studies, Engineering, or a related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree will be accepted preferably in one of the aforementioned areas with a combination of a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant experience.
  
  
  ***Please upload your academic diplomas or academic certifications to your application*** c. Languages
  
  
• Experience
• Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional strengthening, capacity building, or governance reform, preferably in the infrastructure sector, is required.
• Proven experience in conducting institutional assessments and developing institutional strengthening strategies is required.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance and training to government agencies is required.
• Experience with public sector management principles and practices is an asset.
• Experience working in the Caribbean Region or similar developing country contexts is highly desirable.
• Experience with UNOPS or other UN agencies is an asset
• Experience in projects with government institutions or international organizations is desirable.
• Fluency in English language is required
• Fluency in another UN language would be an asset.
• Job Requirements
• The position requires virtual and face-to-face contact with various people related to the projects.
• It is required to make field trips to infrastructure works, including travel to the works and construction site.
• Cover Letter
  
  
  While your resume shows your skills, experience and training, we are also eager to learn more about your interests and motivations. Therefore, we invite you to upload a cover letter along with your application for the position. Remember to share in the letter your motivation to join the UNOPS team in the advertised position, your interests and skills. Additionally we would like to know your perspective on the UN Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity. For more information on the UN Values, see the UN Values and Behaviors Framework document.
  Think big. Meet challenges head-on. Help people build better lives.
  UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce is made up of people from varied nationalities, cultures and races. They speak a range of languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
  We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!
  
  Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

About the Organization

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 organisations. 

With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.
Project Information:

In 2024, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources (MTW) sought UNOPS' support in its organizational transformation, building on recommendations from a report conducted by the CARDNO Limited consultancy firm.

As a key driver of Barbados' development, MTW plays a vital role in advancing progress across multiple sectors. Addressing its operational challenges with a focus on sustainability and innovation, is essential to strengthening its capacity and ensuring its continued contribution to the nation’s growth.

The proposed technical assistance (“TA”) from UNOPS outlines a strategic approach to overcoming these challenges and reinforcing MTW’s effectiveness as a critical institution for national development. Through targeted interventions, MTW can improve its operations and unlock opportunities for sustainable progress.

Local Context:

Barbados is the United Nations hub for the Eastern-Caribbean, and as such benefits from a strong UN presence. UNOPS presence in the country will be expanded for this project, with the opening of an office in Bridgetown, supported by the UN system and UNOPS Multi-Country office for Panama, Costa Rica and the Caribbean based in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Barbados is a safe country, with a UN Class A hardship level, and level 1 Security level in the US State Department. Normal caution is advised. 

About Our Culture:

Our work helps build the foundations for countries and communities to achieve peace and sustainable development, guided by our values - Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity.  

UNOPS celebrates diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. UNOPS encourages qualified female candidates, as well as qualified candidates from groups underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce, to apply. These groups include people from racialized or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as people with disabilities.

More information