Job: Programme Manager,

Location: Khartoum
Deadline: Friday, 02 August 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

General Background

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Ethiopia Project Centre (ETPC) is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and as part of its responsibility, manages a number of projects in Sudan. Current Sudan operations are largely focused on assisting partners with the implementation of physical infrastructure projects including designing, constructing and rehabilitating buildings and roads, water resource management, procurement, human resource management and mine action. ETPC also procures goods and services for a number of partners and provides logistics and operational support to institutions in Sudan with the overall objective to support partners in achieving their programme goals.

UNOPS works with various partners in Sudan including government ministries, donors, and United Nations agencies including the United Nations Environment Programme, UNHCR, UN Habitat, UKAid and USAID. The UNOPS Sudan office is located in Khartoum and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners to support humanitarian response, recovery and development initiatives.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Summaryof key functions:

The Sudan Programme Manager will play a critical role in supporting the ETPC Head of Office to develop and implement programmes necessary to further develop UNOPS 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 Sudan Programme Manager will be a Senior Manager within the UNOPS-ETPC structure, with responsibility for a broad portfolio of competencies and capabilities with significant possible growth. S/he will directly supervise project managers.

The Sudan Programme Manager will also act as the Head of the Sudan office and represent the ETPC Head of Office as required.

Specific Responsibilities

The Sudan Programme Manager will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:

Programme Management and Coordination:

• Determines programme resource requirements in conjunction with the ETPC Head of Office, other Managers and the Programme Management Office;
• Defines the programme's governance framework (resource management, monitoring and control, quality and risk management, stakeholder engagement and benefits management);
• Maintains overall integrity and coherence of the programme, and develops and maintains the programme environment to support each individual project within it.
• Handles the day-to-day management of the programme and oversees the delivery of all projects in the programme, monitoring delivery in terms of quality, costs and time;
• Ensures that the delivery of new outputs or services from the projects meets the programme's requirements;
• Ensures that security considerations are assessed and implicated in programme conception.
• Mentors and assists the project managers in planning, execution and delivery of projects, ensuring that best practice project management processes are incorporated;
• Ensures maximum efficiency in the allocation of resources and skills within the programme;
• Works closely with the project managers to identify potential project-cost overruns, time delays or quality deficiencies, and implements actions for rectification;
• Analyzes project results, and interprets these results into recommendations for the Head of Office to assist him/her in the development of UNOPS as the service Provider of Choice in Sudan;
• Ensures that clear communication and good relationships are developed and maintained within the programme,with internal support units (HR, Procurement, Logistics, etc) and with external parties such as donors, the Government, etc;
• Plans, develops,coordinates, communicates and directs the internal policies and procedures of the Programme Section;
• Effectively and efficiently delegates responsibility and authority to subordinate staff for the delivery of agreed outputs while ensuring accountability;
• 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 in the programme;
• Establishes performance objectives with appropriate measures for project managers and other programme staff;
• Initiates activities and other management interventions wherever gaps in the programme are identified or issues arise.

Fiscal Responsibilities:

• Takes responsibility for programme budgeting and resource planning;
• Implements UNOPS pricing strategies, with a disciplined approach to business case development and pricing models which balances revenues and capacity development, within the mandate and spirit of the United Nations;
• Prepares and submits for approval, revenue and expenditure forecasts based on established financial goals;
• Supports the Head of Office in the development of the business model for ETPC in Sudan assessing costs and revenue streams as well as margins.

Business & Corporate Development:

• Develops current and future growth plans for the programme (1 - 3 years), ensuring that those plans conform to UNOPS overall strategic plans;
• Supports and provides inputs to the Head of Office in developing business opportunities in preparing and delivering complex proposals and partnerships;
• Ensures subordinate programme 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, the Government and other clients.

Technical Functions:

• Plans, develops, implements and maintains appropriate standards, best practices and procedures in the programme;
• Researches, identifies and introduces appropriate new technologies for the execution of projects across the programme.

Human Resource Responsibilities:

• Assumes responsibility for all staffing issues as required by the demands of the various projects in the Sudan programme including adherence to UNOPS security regulations and guidelines;
• Conducts Staff Performance Reviews of project staff and other staff on the programme in accordance with UNOPS HR Policies, and initiates appropriate responses;
• In conjunction with the Project Managers and the HR Unit, identifies and recruits appropriate project staff for the programme;
• Encourages and develops the technical and project management skills and attitudes of the programme's personnel.

Communication Functions:

• Reports to the Head of Office with regard to all matters concerning the delivery of projects in the Sudan programme including security matters;
• Works closely with other departments to continuously improve interface processes;
• Directs the preparation and updating of information materials used for external dissemination of UNOPS Sudan activities and capacities.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• The incumbent is also responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS;
• Carries out any other duties as specified by the ETPC Director.

Monitoring and Project Controls

• Puts in place and continuously implements solid reporting mechanisms in the programme on a regular basis against set targets and indicators.
• Provides reports to the Head of Office, Donors and other stakeholders on the Sudan project portfolio as required.
• Maintains a systematic filing system of all programme and support documents with off-site backup for continuity security and in line with audit requirements specific to project agreements.

Final Product

• The programme and its projects are delivered to the satisfaction of the Head of Office, ETPC Senior Management, clients,donors and stakeholders, in compliance with UNOPS procedures and requirements.

Education

• Advanced University Degree, preferably in Engineering, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences or related field.
• MSP Practitioner, Project Management Institute's (PMI) PgMP (Programme Management Professional) or equivalent programme management certification highly desirable.

Experience

• Minimum of 11 years experience in team leadership/project management roles with at least 5 years experience in programme development & management, marketing and communications;
• Extensive infrastructure project management process experience and best practice implementation experience required;
• Substantial field-based experience and demonstrated ability to deliver programmes in post-conflict situations is required;
• Experience of working in UNOPS is highly desirable.

Competencies

Technical Competencies:

• Strong skills in programme and project management with proven competencies in related tools and methodologies;
• Proven experience in the total financial management of large and diverse multi-discipline project portfolios;
• Excellent financial and situational analytical skills and knowledge of analysis techniques;
• Strong contract formation and negotiation skills;
• Demonstrated ability to grow an existing business, maintain existing client relationships and develop new ones;
• Excellent presentation skills with the ability to address senior management, business and technical audiences;
• Working knowledge of Arabic language is an asset;

Core Competencies:

Communication: demonstrates openness in sharing information; keeps people informed; demonstrates active listening skills; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audiences; two-way communication skills; excellent command of oral and written English; knowledge of a second UN working language desirable;

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; Solicits input by genuinely valuing others ideas and expertise - is willing to learn from others; places the team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with the final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect his/her own position; shares the credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for the team shortcomings;

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate time and resources; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently;

Client Orientation: establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; meets deadlines for delivery of services to clients; identifies client needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;

Accountability: takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; operates in compliance with UNOPS procedures, rules and regulations; supports and provides oversight to subordinates; delivers outputs within the prescribed time, cost and quality standards.

Managerial Competencies:

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; empowers others to translate visions into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; drives for change and improvement;

Empowering others: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members'inputs and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them;

Managing performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly;

Judgement / Decision Making: Identifies the key issues in complex situations, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; takes decisions with an eye towards their impact on others and on the Organization; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Contract type, level and durationContract type: International ICA Contract level: IICA - 3 Contract duration: 6 months, with possibility of extension subject to funds availability and satisfactory performance For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• 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.

More Info and Application