Project Manager (Retainer)

Job Description

General Background

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has a Centre for Humanitarian Data in The Hague, the Netherlands which is focused on increasing the use and impact of data in the humanitarian sector. The vision is to create a future where everyone involved in a humanitarian emergency has access to the data they need, when and how they need it, to make responsible and informed decisions. The Centre is part of OCHA’s Information Management Branch.

The Centre focuses on four areas: data services, data responsibility, data literacy, and predictive analytics. The data services workstream focuses on the management of the Humanitarian Data Exchange (HDX) platform, the development and use of the Humanitarian Exchange Language (HXL) data standard, and support to the International Aid Transparency Initiative. The data responsibility worksteam focuses on the development and adoption of data responsibility guidelines and different techniques for the secure management of data, both within OCHA and the broader humanitarian system. The data literacy workstream focuses on improving the data skills of technical and non-technical humanitarians through the delivery of training programmes and development of capacity-building material. The predictive analytics workstream focuses on model development, including threshold and trigger design, and quality assurance of partner models through validation and a peer review process.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Centre is seeking a Project Manager to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Centre for Humanitarian Data. The focus of the job is the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Centre’s programme of work in line with the goals and objectives laid out in its three-year business plan and OCHA’s Strategic Framework. The main tasks include financial management, human resource management, and reporting. The ideal candidate should be very organized, flexible, and enjoy working with a diverse and distributed team.

Reporting Relationships

The Project Manager will report to the Lead for the Centre for Humanitarian Data who is based in The Hague. The incumbent will be expected to work closely with the rest of the Centre team and other parts of OCHA, including the Information Management Branch, the Executive Office (finance and procurement), and the Donor Relations Section.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of the Centre’s programme of work;
• Monitors implementation of the Centre’s results framework and ensures reporting requirements to multiple donors are met.
• Sets and monitors the Centre’s budget and oversees effective implementation in line with project requirements and timelines. Prepares related financial reports in consultation with UNOPS (which provides project implementation support to the Centre).
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, talking points, sections of reports, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities with key stakeholders to ensure they are aware of the activities of the Centre and can easily collaborate with its staff and partners in The Hague and globally though operations in other locations
• Oversees the Centre’s Project Coordinator in their work related to administrative processes of the Centre (procurement, payroll, travel, etc).
• Supports the organization and coordination of events, workshops and partner meetings in The Hague, including venue booking, catering and other logistical arrangements.
• Works with the management of The Hague Humanity Hub on issues related to the OCHA lease agreement, member services, and community and space management.
• Supports the Head of Office in their role representing OCHA in the Netherlands and managing the OCHA The Hague office (liaison with MFA Protocol and focal point with The Hague Humanity Hub on issues related to teh OCHA lease agreement and office space management).

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Centre budget is developed and well managed – avoiding shortages and with healthy implementation rates
• Required capacity recruited in a timely manner and consultant contracts monitored
• Donor reporting requirements and project targets are met
• Centre reaches quarterly targets; and when targets are not met corrective action is taken
• Centre is reflected in IMB workplanning and performance documents as relevant

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

Required

• A minimum of five years of experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• 
  Desirable (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply)
• At least two years of relevant experience in the UN Common System is desirable.
• A minimum of two years of experience working on data, technology or innovation projects is desirable.
• At least two years of experience with budgeting and financial management is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required.
• Knowledge of Dutch and another UN language is highly desirable

About the Organization

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 Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)
Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies. The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.