Programme Officer – Project Risks and Financial Management

Job Description

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Director – Operational Hub in Amman, and the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Officer – Projects Finance and Risk Management will be working closely with UNOPS Project Managers (PMs), Programme Team and Support Services to support and strengthen the performance and monitoring of projects budgets, project financials, risks and deliverables. S/he must be able to undertake independently, the below duties and responsibilities:

Projects Finance

• Monitor financial and delivery performance of all engagements under the Hub, including budget structure, delivery forecast, commitment level in line with planned project activities and schedules, actual expenditure in comparison to delivery forecasts ; and report any deviations to the Head of Programme;
• Support Projects Managers in budget management and control including initial budget preparation and subsequent revisions through the project life cycle.
• Support Projects Managers and relevant projects’ personnel in establishing and maintaining monitoring mechanisms over different budget categories, cost components, and cash flow of their respective project(s).
• Follow up with Projects Managers on the preparation of quarterly delivery forecasts, analysis and justification of variances.
• Act as Engagement Closure Manager for assigned projects and ensure timely operational and financial closure of projects in coordination with respective units at the hub, regional, and HQ levels.
• Coordinate with Finance Unit and support resolving any financial discrepancies including reversal of incurred expenditures and approvals of necessary budgets revisions.
• Review monthly Projects’ highlight reports in terms of project financials and risks, and flag any issues and/or deviations to the Head of Programme.

Performance Monitoring

• Support the Programme Team in conducting quarterly reviews of all projects;
• Together with the Head of Programme, undertake regular reviews of project M&E frameworks and ensure that performance indicators and targets remain relevant and in accordance with the project design;
• As needed, undertake monitoring visits and/ or participate in project site visits in consultation with the respective PMs and the Head of Programme;

Risk Management

• Support the PMs in managing their projects’ risks including developing and maintaining risk registers;
• Liaise with PMs regarding developing risk mitigation plans and priorities;
• Review and monitor risk registers on regular basis and flag any high risks that may have a potential negative impact on the project/ programme portfolio to the Head of Programme.

Knowledge Management

• Promote awareness of Risk Management amongst project teams across the hub;
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice and contribute to corporate discussions, as needed.
• Active interaction with PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices on the Knowledge System;

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

I. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

II. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

III. Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

i. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

iii. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination

i. Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

ii. Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

i. The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue to a supervisor

• Excellence

1. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Competencies

Strategic perspective: 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)

Integrity: 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.

Leading self and others: 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.

Partnering: 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).

Results Orientation: 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.

Agility: 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.

Solution Focused: 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.

Effective Communication: 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education

• Advanced University Degree in Finance, Accounting, Project Management, Risk Management or Business Administration with five years of relevant professional experience and/ or
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a major in Finance, Accounting, Project Management, Risk Management, or Business Administration with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

B. Work Experience

• Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project management, with focus on financial and programmatic planning, management and monitoring in public/International and/or private sector organizations;
• Experience of working in Programme/ Project Management Office and/ or Programme/ Project Support Units is highly desirable;
• Demonstrated ability to work and/ or support operations in diverse, multicultural, multi-sectoral and multi-country settings is highly desirable;
• Experience in international development context preferably in the UN, bilateral or multilateral institutions is highly desirable;
• Full proficiency in English and Arabic is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: Local ICA Specialist - level 10
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

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

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.
• 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
• 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.

About the Organization

UNOPS | Roster System

Background Information - UNOPS

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.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Hub in Amman

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, in order to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region.

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

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.