Job: Pool of Experts Manager

Location: New York 
Deadline: Wednesday, 16 October 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.

Background Information - MAC

Mine Action Cluster

The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster (MAC) within the Global Partner Services Office (GPSO) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster was established in 1997. Based in New York, it has helped partners to significantly improve the lives of people in more than 30 countries across the world. The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster supports Mine Action efforts in both emergency and post conflict settings. It delivers fast procurement, recruitment and management services to facilitate humanitarian aid and launch emergency mine clearance. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Chief who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Mine Action Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of key service lines at the Mine Action Cluster is the Pool of Experts (POE).

The POE is a roster of more than 400 qualified experts in 24 job profiles. The POE Team establishes and maintains these pre-cleared pools of qualified international personnel utilizing the UNOPS Global Personnel Recruitment System (GPRS). POE supports the rapid deployment of personnel to Mine Action programmes globally.

In close consultation with the MAC Portfolio management team, the Pool Of Experts (POE) Manager's main duties will be to manage the POE project, and ensure that the field Mine action programmes' staffing needs are met, and comply with the applicable UNOPS/UN guidelines,including but not limited to the security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System.

Functional Responsibilities

The POE Project manager report to Chief of Mine Action Cluster, will be responsible for all aspects of the POE project cycle, and must be able to apply, with directions, the below duties and responsibilities to ensure of the success of the Mine Action POE project within the specified tolerance of time, cost,quality, scope, risk and benefits, as well as to deliver maximum accountability and transparency: Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the client and key stakeholders, including but not limited to MAC, HQ, Field office
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of POE project activities, progress, exceptions and other key issues.
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes Delivery and Performance:

• Ensure optimal and qualified staffing for the Mine Action programmes
• Constantly track the client needs as well as field programme needs to identify the priority of pools needs in coordination with portfolio management team of the Mine Action Cluster;
• Establish and maintain the strategic approach to balancing the resource requirement with the priority needs of the pools;
• Address the emergency deployment request by the client by prompt actions while meeting all normative framework;
• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously to maintain all the pools can always be responsive to the client's needs;
• Delegate and task workload within the PoE team for optimal resource allocations;
• Monitor PoE team output and reviewing quality of work;
• Coordinate the completion and submittal of Appointment and Selection Board (ASB) cases;
• Implement and ensure fair and transparent selection from Pools;
• Liaise with HQ units to ensure timely deployment of identified applicants;
• Support the appointments, separation of personnel from pools;
• Management of Mine Action POE profiles in UNOPS GPRS (Global Personnel Recruitment System);
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved;
• Identify and report threats for UNOPS internal business case to the supervisor;
• Act as focal point for training and performance evaluation so as to ensure quality of personnel

Knowledge Management:

• Manage information and ensure accurate data for POE and other relevant MAC HR and administrative issues;
• Ensure,that information including but not limited to POE is maintained, updated, and shared for knowledge management/sharing purposes. Such data may include, but not limited to SOP,work process flow-charts pertinent to recruitment, selection,and performance management;.
• Act as afocal point for all PoE related questions and issues;
• Actively share and expand the Best of POE Practices, Lessons Learnt on the UNOPSCorporate knowledge system; with view to actively support the continuous policy development, process improvement of the UNOPS Corporate roster system;
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the POE team;
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICAand Staff);
• Assist the Mine Action Cluster where required with general team support;

And

• Any other duties as requested and tasked by the Chief of Mine ActionCluster.

Impact of Results

• Effective management of POE to enable the rapid deployment of personnel to Mine Action programmes globally.
• Support and Monitoring of MAC POE and personnel issues.
• Pro-actively drive and contribute to the main-streaming of the POE Best Practices to the Corporate Roster system.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• A master's degree in related field of work and at least 5 years of relevant work experience, or a first university degree with at least 7 years of relevant work experience including 3 year of experience in project management or business administration. Experience of human resource management desired.
• Experience in project management and administration practices is required.
• Knowledge of ERP (HR module and Roster system is an asset.
• Experience of HR,finance, administration is an asset.
• Previous experience of Mine Action Services is desirable.
• Must be fully conversant in computers and office software packages (MS Office 2007 and/or newer versions, especialy Excel.
• Fluency in oral and written English required. Knowledge of another UN official language an asset.

Competencies

• Teamwork Skills
• Organising and Quality Orientation
• Creativity and Innovation
• Communication Skill
• Result Orientation
• Initiative
• Ability to Learn

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.

Contract type, level and duration Contract type: IICA Contract level: 2 Contract duration: One (1) year 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

More Info and Application