UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:
Vacancy Details
Re-advertisement Please note that candidates who have already applied for this post do not need to re-apply as their applications will continue to be considered.
Vacancy Code
UNOPS/2011/SDOC/CSS/VA048 Post Title Head of Programme
Post Level P-5 (Fixed-Term Appointment) Position status Rotational Project Title Various Org Unit AFO – SSOC
Duty Station Juba, South Sudan (non-family)
Duration
One Year
Closing Date
October 08th, 2011
Background
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) – South Sudan Operations Centre (SSOC) is based in Juba, Republic of South Sudan. Current SSOC operations are largely focused on assisting partners with the implementation of physical infrastructure projects including designing, constructing and rehabilitating roads and bridges, schools, clinics and Government and Ministry offices. SSOC also procures goods and services for a number of partners and provides logistics and operational support to institutions in South Sudan with the overall objective to support partners in achieving their programme goals.
UNOPS–SSOC works with various partners including the government ministries of South Sudan, donors, and United Nations agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.
Reporting directly to the Country Director, the Head of Programme will have the overall management responsibility for the programme delivery activities of UNOPS throughout South Sudan.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Head of Programme will play a critical role in the development and implementation of the strategies and practices necessary to further develop SSOC as the Provider of Choice, for donors and Government, for the implementation of projects within Sudan, while meeting and exceeding the organization’s performance and delivery goals.
The Head of Programme will be a Senior Manager within the UNOPS-SSOC structure, with overall responsibility for a broad portfolio of competencies and capabilities with significant expected growth. S/he will directly supervise all programmes, project managers and the coordinator of the Programme Management Office (PMO).
The Head of Programme will also be expected to take on the role of Officer-in-Charge of SSOC when the Director is away from the office on official duties or on leave.
Specific Responsibilities
Specifically, the Head of Programme will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:
Project Management and Coordination • In conjunction with the Programme Management Office and the Programme and Project Managers, determines project resource requirements; • Leads in the development, implementation and maintenance of process management and information management systems; • Oversees the delivery of all programmes and projects, monitoring the delivery in terms of quality, costs and time; • Mentors and assists the Programme and Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes; • Works closely with the Programme and Project Managers to identify potential project-cost overruns, time delays or quality deficiencies, and implements actions for rectification; • Analyzes project results, and interprets results into recommendations for management to assist them in the development of the organization as the service Provider of Choice in South Sudan; • Ensures that clear communication and good relationships are developed and maintained within the Programme Section, with internal support departments and with external parties such as donors, Government, etc; • Plans, develops, coordinates, communicates and directs the internal policies and procedures of the Programme Section; • Effectively and efficiently delegates responsibility and authority, and ensures accountability, to subordinate staff for the delivery of agreed outputs; • Develops and deploys standard project management tools, and develops the project management and technical skills of the Project Managers and other project staff; • Provides timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting; • Develops and drives a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and performance optimization across all projects; • Establishes performance objectives, with appropriate measures for all projects and project staff within SSOC.
Fiscal Responsibilities • Takes responsibility for overall budgeting and resource planning; • Determines pricing strategies, with a disciplined approach to business case development and pricing models which balances revenues and development capacity, within the mandate and spirit of the United Nations; • Prepares, and submits for approval, revenue and expenditure forecasts based on established financial goals; • Prepares a business model for SSOC, assessing costs and revenue streams as well as margins; • Is responsible for certifying and authorising disbursements.
Business & Corporate Development • Develops current and future growth plans for SSOC (1 – 3 years), ensuring that those plans conform to the overall strategic plans of the organization; • Supports business development opportunities in preparing and delivering complex proposals and partnerships; • Ensures subordinate staff with the relevant authority are properly trained in proposal development and presentation; • Identifies and develops potential new business and customer opportunities; • Develops and maintains close working relationships with donors, Governments and clients of the Unit.
Technical Functions • Is ultimately responsible for the technical outputs of SSOC, meeting and exceeding donor and client expectations; • Researches, identifies and introduces appropriate new technologies for the execution of projects across the Unit; • Plans, develops, implements and maintains appropriate standards, best practices and procedures to all projects in SSOC.
Human Resource Responsibilities • In consultation with the Head of Support Services and Human Resources Specialist, supports the Director in making all staffing-related decisions as required by the demands of the various projects; • Conducts Staff Performance Reviews in accordance with current UNOPS HR Policies, and initiates appropriate responses; • In conjunction with the Operation Centre Director, Project Managers and HR Unit, identifies and recruits appropriate project staff; • Encourages and develops the technical and project management skills and attitudes of the Unit’s personnel.
Communication Functions • Actively participates in the UNOPS Country Management Team; • Reports to the Country Director with regard to all matters concerning the delivery of projects in SSOC; • Works closely with other departments to continuously improve interface processes.
Directs the preparation and updating of information materials used for external dissemination of SSOC activities and capacities.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
Technical & Functional Competencies: • Strong organizational management skills with proven competencies in project management and other management tools and methodologies; • Proven experience in managing the budgets of a large and diverse multi-discipline project portfolio; • Strong advocacy and negotiation experience with stakeholders at the highest levels; • Demonstrated ability to sustain and expand an existing business portfolio and partner base; • Excellent organizational, decision-making and problem-solving skills; • Ability to understand the total impact of projects on the entire organization with a holistic perspective (holistic skills); • Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills with the ability to address senior management, business and technical audiences; • Ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules; • Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office software.
Education/Experience/Languages
• Advanced University Degree, preferably in Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field; • Prince2, Project Management Institute (PMI) or equivalent project management certification highly desirable; • Minimum of 10 years experience in team leadership/project management roles including experience in programme development & management, advocacy, negotiations and communications; • Extensive infrastructure project management and procurement experience as well as best practice implementation experience; • Substantial field experience and demonstrated ability to deliver programmes in conflict and post-conflict countries; • Fluency in both written and oral English required. Knowledge of a second UN working language is desirable.
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail tovacanciesSDOCInt@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
- 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.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
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