Job: Mission Manager - UNOPS Rapid Response Roster

Location: Multiple 
Deadline: Wednesday, 23 October 2013 

Description

Vacancy code VA/2013/B0010/4032

Position title Mission Manager – UNOPS Rapid Response Roster,

Multiple positions Level ICS-12

Department/office Sustainable Infrastructure

Duty station Multiple

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-4

Duration between 2 weeks and 4 months

Application period 07-Oct-2013 to 23-Oct-2013

Print United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity Background Information - UNOPS

The pool of experts is used as a surge capacity for short term rapid deployments (between 2 weeks and 4 months). UNOPS Rapid Response provides a capacity of specialized humanitarian personnel and trained and prepared engineers to conduct infrastructure assessments in the context of conflict, disaster and preparedness. One of the objectives of UNOPS Rapid Response is to rapidly deploy personnel to the field. To accomplish this, a pool of experts for the above mentioned position has been established. Once approved as a member of a pool, candidates remain members for a three year period, after which they will be re-assessed should they wish to remain part of the pool.

The mission of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace-building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. In line with its mandate UNOPS acts as a central resource for the United Nations system in procurement and contracts management as well as in civil works and physical infrastructure development, including the related capacity development activities. UNOPS has significant experience in post-conflict, post-disaster and geographically difficult environments and in the field of emergency reconstruction of disaster stricken communities. UNOPS has a solid track record of providing effective disaster response operations and continues to be called upon to conduct infrastructure assessments in both conflict and disaster contexts.

Functional Responsibilities

The Mission Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the mission and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The mission manager must have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the objectives of the mission are met.

The Mission Manager's role is to manage team(s), resources, logistics, finances, mission stakeholders, security and mission parameters to best effect of providing a clear understanding of both the element(s) of infrastructure being assessed and the scope and limitations of the exercise being conducted.

A rapid response Mission Manager will be expected to have the capacity to manage complex missions in challenging environments with limited resources. The Mission Manager will manage the mission objective(s) while coordinating and working in partnerships with mission stakeholders and organisational structures to the best interests of the mission.

The Mission Manager is responsible for all aspects of the mission. It is her/his responsibility to deliver the scope of the mission on time and on budget. S/he must be able to apply the below duties and responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Management, Coordination and Liaison:
• Establish solid working relationship with the mission management, client and key stakeholders;
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of mission activities, progress, and exceptions; Advise on issues that may impact the achievement of the expected mission outcomes; Ensure strong coordination, liaison and representation in relevant forums;
• Manage project development, fundraising, donor liaison when required;
• Communicate with the national and local authorities for liaison and coordination purposes;
• Coordinate and maintain close contact with relevant partners in the missions sector;
• Liaise and build relationships with United Nations (UN) agencies and international non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs) for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of information analysis;
• Mission Implementation, delivery and performance:
• Implement approved mission plans;
• Advise the mission management of any deviations from the mission plan;
• Manage the overall delivery of required infrastructure assessments, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Authorize Work Packages;
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved; Ensure that an appropriate quality assurance and control mechanisms are established;
• Monitor and evaluate performance of the mission team;
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor;
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor;

Procedures:

• Ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare mission reports;

Maintain the following:

i. Electronic Blue File;

ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.

• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads and related corporate charges as they apply to the mission.
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel.
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the mission team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the mission management
• Manage the recruitment of personnel if required;
• Manage the training of personnel if required;
• Perform mission operation and support roles, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function

Security:

• Function as Security Focal Point;
• Overseas the implementation of security procedures in conformity with established UN Security rules and regulations;
• Monitoring the security situation in the areas where the mission is working and implementing procedures that ensure safe working conditions for personnel with UN security provisions.

General Duties:

• Provide feedback to Head of UNOPS Rapid Response on supporting guidance with the aim of continuous improvement of workflows/business processes and policies;
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format;
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format;
• Any other related duties as may be assigned;

Competencies

Key Competencies

• Ability to work under extreme pressure, on occasion in a highly stressful environment (e.g. civil strife, natural hazards and humanitarian crisis);
• Ability to work in a team and to build and sustain effective work relationship with subordinates and peers to achieve organizational goals;
• Ability to interact, establish and maintain effective working relationships with people in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• High level of professionalism and ability to work independently, under pressure and to adhere to strict deadlines;
• Excellent analytical, organizational, data management and decision making skills;
• Self-motivated, ability to take ownership of actions, and provide flexible and effective solutions to challenging situations;
• Strong skills in team leadership, planning, and problem solving;
• Comfortable taking decisions with confidence with limited information;
• ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
• Experience in the total financial management of a product line/portfolio/program/project;
• Project Management Skills

Budget Management

• Financial Rules and Regulations
• Knowledge Management
• Monitoring and Evaluation
• Project Management
• Reporting
• Risk Analysis
• Stakeholder Management

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University Degree in Project Management, engineering, Emergency Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline;

A Bachelor's degree in combination with relevant years of experience may be accepted in lieu of a master's degree. PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is an asset;

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of relevant and progressive professional experience specifically in the field of project management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination, including at least 2 years (preferably 5 years or more) of experience with disaster management, humanitarian emergency related project management and cluster coordination systems;
• A candidate at this level must have demonstrated work experience in similar assignments, managing large and complex missions.
• Experience in liaising with government officials, representatives of international and national organizations, private sector companies and other stakeholders;
• Knowledge of UN core values, rules andregulations an asset;
• Strong understanding of the humanitarian emergency operating context, including Sphere, the humanitarian system, donors,security, and project/program management
• Good technical background in any construction related field an asset;
• Strong computer skills, including excellent database and information management ability;
• Experience in an engineering related field an asset;

Language

Fluency in spoken and written English is a requirement.

Knowledge of additional UN languages is an asset;

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (Retainer) Contract level:I-ICA 4 Contract duration: Depending on the mission, but between 2 weeks and 4 months. The fee will be based on a daily/monthly rate to be negotiated, depending on experience and the length and complexity of the mission. 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.
• For staff positions 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.

More Info and Application