Multi-Country Manager / Head of Programme

Job Description

Background Information - Job-specific

The Multi-Country Manager / Head of Programme is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with the Project Centre’s portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

The Project Centre includes ongoing projects in 8 countries: Antigua, Belize, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and Trinidad and Tobago. Through the management of resilient infrastructure projects, UNOPS works to improve sustainable development across the region. Among others, this includes the construction of parliament buildings in Grenada, road rehabilitation in Jamaica, bridges and river embankment rehabilitation in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and improving potable water supply systems and health facilities in Saint Lucia. UNOPS further provides technical assistance in relation to climate resilient infrastructure planning in Curaçao, Grenada and Saint Lucia.

The Project Centre operates as an integral part of the Panama Operational Hub and the Regional management structure. The Project Centre Manager reports to the Operational Hub Director who provides direction and guidance. The role is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and supervising the delivery of all project support services and that includes liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

For more information on what UNOPS does in the Caribbean please see attached fact sheets. Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results:

1. Project Centre programme/project management
2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for partnership and portfolio development
3. Service delivery and quality assurance
4. Representation and inter-agency partnership
5. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Project Centre programme/project management
• Develop proposals and prepare project documents agreements in connection with identified opportunities and in cooperation/collaboration with partners.
• Plan and propose to Operational Hub Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals.
• Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Centre in collaboration with the partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel within the respective area of responsibility.
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and the Operational Hub Director) areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep the Operational Hub Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.

3. Service delivery and quality assurance
• Establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the Project Centres programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.
• Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to Operational Hub for action and/or intervention.
• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Project Centre, including submitting financial reports to the Operational Hub Director.

4. Representation and inter-agency partnership
• Participate, as delegated by the Operational Hub Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNDAF/One Program, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.
• Participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.
• Keep the three relevant UN Resident Coordinators informed of UNOPS activities through regular communication and formal reporting on portfolio development and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF or equivalent.

5. Knowledge management and innovation
• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required. A bachelor´s degree in a relevant field and additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master´s degree

Experience:
A minimum of 7 years (or more depending on academic credentials) of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization.
Experience in supervising personnel and managing budgets is required.
Management experience in director or similar high-level roles in public or private entities will be an asset.
Experience in alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development will be an asset.
Experience in projects with social impact will be an asset.
Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Languages:
Full working knowledge of English is essential.
Knowledge of Spanish, Dutch and French is an asset

About the Organization

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.