The West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) is based in Dakar, Senegal, and is responsible for developing, delivering, managing and implementing a portfolio of projects and programmes spread across 16 countries: Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Conakry, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Nigeria. WAMCO is present in all the countries with the exception of Liberia.
The WAMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight, and assurance on the excellence of organizational processes and quality standards across all of the countries under its responsibility.
Niger, Togo, and Benin Offices
The Niger, Togo, and Benin Offices operate as an integral part of the WAMCO management structure.
As part of WAMCO, the three offices are responsible for developing, delivering, and managing a growing portfolio of engagements and cost-effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievement of UNOPS management results.
To contribute to the effort of the MCO Director, the Partnerships and Programme Units, the need for a resource positioned in the sub-region has been identified to support the continuity of the conversation with partners met during representation missions, and to support the oversight of the programme in the countries of implementation.
At UNOPS, Project Office portfolio size is determined by a mix of internal and external drivers, including value of engagements and prevailing humanitarian and geo-political contexts. Currently, the portfolio of the 3 countries has increased over $100 million, with 12 projects of diverse sectors and service types and over 30 personnel supported by the MCO personnel. The offices present a very different situation when it comes with business and partner opportunity pipeline, requiring its consolidation (Niger and Benin) and expansion (Togo) into firmed and signed engagements to reach double or triple its current portfolio. It is estimated that a physical presence in the sub-region is key to achieve a better position of UNOPS in these countries, building on the success of the existing operations and cross-fertilising between countries.
The Senior Portfolio Manager is responsible for representing the MCO Senior Management in the countries of responsibility and, as delegated by the WAMCO Director, attends UNCTs, SMTs, inter-regional, and inter-governmental meetings.
(S)He is responsible for proactively organizing and attending meetings with Government partners and the donor community, serving as the internal coordination point for UNOPS activities.
The Senior Portfolio Manager is also working in close collaboration with the MCO management to support planning, implementing, monitoring, and supervising the delivery of engagements and operations in Niger, Togo, and Benin - including liaison and engagement development activities, achievement of Engagement Addition goals and targets, and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.
Based in Lomé, the Senior Portfolio Manager reports to the WAMCO Director, who provides strategic direction, oversight, and guidance.
The Senior Portfolio Manager also works in close collaboration with the MCO Partnerships Advisor, the Head of Support Services, the Head of Programme, and the Head of PMO.
The Senior Portfolio Manager is responsible for representing the MCO Senior Management in the countries of responsibility and, as delegated by the WAMCO Director, attends UNCTs, SMTs, inter-regional, and inter-governmental meetings.
(S)He is responsible for proactively organizing and attending meetings with Government partners and the donor community, serving as the internal coordination point for UNOPS activities.
The Senior Portfolio Manager is also working in close collaboration with the MCO management to support planning, implementing, monitoring, and supervising the delivery of engagements and operations in Niger, Togo, and Benin - including liaison and engagement development activities, achievement of Engagement Addition goals and targets, and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.
Summary of key results:
Project Office portfolio management
Alliance building, networking, and advocacy for business development and attainment
Representation and inter-agency partnership
People, leadership, and performance management
Service delivery and quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
1. Project Office portfolio management
Under the guidance and oversight of the MCO Director, the Partnership Advisor, and the Head of Programme, develop proposals and prepare project agreements in connection with identified opportunities.
Plan and propose to the Multi Country Office Director and the Head of Programme required resources (human, financial, and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Offices.
Collaborate with the MCO management to establish the strategies and programme/project implementation plans for the Project Offices.
Under the guidance of the MCO Director and in collaboration with the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, the Senior Portfolio Manager manages the overall programme-project portfolio of the Project/Country offices.
In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation (Togo), 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 countries, to identify and plan with them (and under the guidance from the Multi Country Office 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 and attain set EA targets and partner and geographic diversification goals, working closely with the MCO Partnerships Advisor and Partnership Development team members in the country/project offices.
Keep the Multi Country Office Director and the MCO Partnerships Advisor informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.
3. Representation and inter-agency partnership
Participate, as delegated by the Multi Country Office Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonization of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the CCAs, UNSDCF, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.
On behalf of the MCO Director, participate in any UN country team meetings (UNCTs) or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.
In alignment with the MCO Director, keep the UN Resident Coordinator(s) informed of UNOPS activities within Niger, Togo and Benin through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF or equivalent.
4. People leadership
Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability within the Project Office.
Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Create, foster, and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
Promote teamwork, collaboration, and diversity, by providing timely guidance and secondary supervision to key team members to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.
In collaboration with the Head of Programme, plan, recruit, manage, and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.
Manage personnel performance and performance issues promptly.
5. Service delivery and quality assurance
In close collaboration with the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for ensuring excellence of business processes and quality standards, as well as ensure direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office 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 the Project/Country Office, for action and/or intervention.
6. 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, regional and national development planning and knowledge building.
Plan, implement and organize strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
