Portfolio Senior Officer

Contract

This is a IICA-1 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on: - Infrastructure - Procurement - Project Management (full service, back on track) - HR and Transactional Services - Grants Management - Technical and Advisory Services

Background information: Water, Environment & Climate Portfolio (WEC) The Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) portfolio under the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office has built strong partnerships and has effectively been managing a portfolio of 490 million USD over the last 15 years to support key initiatives with fund management, project implementation and administrative support.

WEC effectively operationalizes partners' agendas with global approaches, as well as regional and country specific activities focused on climate action, protection and conservation of the environment. Partners profit from WEC’s ability to operationalize and/or scale up their important substantive agendas, including in support of key multilateral environmental and climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, the Cartagena Convention as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

GEF International Waters Portfolio

To support the implementation of multilateral agreements, such as the Cartagena Convention, and the Sustainable Development Goals, UNOPS, through the WEC Portfolio, works as the executing agency for GEF Implementing Partners. Under the GEF theme of International Waters (IW) WEC offers high quality implementation services in the areas of ecosystem-based marine and coastal management for transboundary ocean currents, river and lake basins.

Currently, under the WEC Portfolio, UNOPS is the Executing Agency for the following projects:

• Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea

The project responds to calls, both globally and regionally, for more results oriented approaches to investment in environmental and natural resource management. Activities will facilitate national and regional level cooperation in tracking results of Strategic Action Programme actions. The project will also make a significant contribution to the achievement of the Aichi targets and Sustainable Development Goals.

UNOPS provides implementation support on behalf of UNEP. As the Executing Agency UNOPS manages the Project Management Unit and brings together partners in Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Philippines, Viet Nam and Thailand to reduce habitat degradation, strengthen knowledge-based action planning, and facilitate regional and national cooperation for coastal habitat management in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

• Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the Gulf of Mexico

The principal objective of the project is the promotion of ecosystem-based management approaches for the transboundary marine and coastal management of the Gulf of Mexico. The project closely cooperates with key stakeholders in both countries, Mexico and the United States. Focal areas include water quality, conservation of shared living resources and the protection and maintenance of ecosystem functions and services.

UNOPS provides implementation support on behalf of UNEP GEF. As the Executing Agency UNOPS manages the Project Management Unit and brings together partners in Mexico and the United States to improve water quality, recover living marine resources, and conserve and restore the quality of coastal and marine ecosystems through community involvement and enhanced bilateral cooperation within the Gulf of Mexico.

• PROCARIBE+

This project seeks to protect, restore and harness the natural coastal and marine capital of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME) by enabling and developing sustainable and resilient ocean-based (blue) economies. The project will build on the results from the UNDP/GEF CLME (2009-2014) and CLME+ (2015-2021) Projects, and catalyse the next iteration of key regional processes

UNOPS provides implementation support on behalf of UNDP GEF. As the Executing Agency, UNOPS manages the Project Management Unit and brings together partners in the Caribbean and North Brazil to build region-wide multi stakeholder cooperation, enable national environments, catalyse action by all sectors, and develop region-wide information generation, management and sharing for the protection, restoration and sustainable use of marine and coastal systems in the Caribbean and North Brazil Shelf Large Marine Ecosystems.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will be expected to support the project managers across the growing portfolio of GEF IW projects under the guidance of the WEC Management Team. This role will be expected to support dedicated Project Teams in the field from WEC’s central office in Vienna. This requires substantive adaptability and flexibility, including working with different time zones, dynamic government contexts, diverse project teams, and a range of environmental issues related to water management.

The incumbent will be expected to act as an operational coordinator to the GEF IW projects and drive operational efficiency and effectiveness in cooperation with project teams and the WEC core team. Through a focused knowledge management approach across a group of projects, the incumbent will contribute to portfolio performance improvement through the application of lessons learned and best practices. Ensuring on time and within budget delivery will be of key importance.

Summary of functions & Responsibilities

1. Project Management Support: Delivery performance

• Contribute to the development, completion and update of implementation plan(s) through the identification and application of synergies, communalities and best practices to projects and the portfolio overall;
• Support project performance as per the UNOPS project management standards, including through contributing to capacity building measures at project level.
• Coordinate assigned delivery of work packages and follow-up on progress.
• Coordinate and liaise with the teams on setting performance milestones and track implementation progress.
• Identify and escalate any deviations from work plans and update plans.
• Work with the teams to identify and manage risks. Take stock of risks that are applicable for multiple projects and escalate these appropriately.

Procedures, Monitoring and Reporting/ad hoc:

• Support project implementation in compliance with all UNOPS organizational policies and specifically the UNOPS Project and Grant Management Manual.
• Maintain records of programme files, data, issues, risks and lessons learned. Maintain all support project financial documents for audit and review processes.
• Assist with project start up and closure activities ensuring appropriate disposal of project assets, timely and effective final (operational) reporting, and effective handover of closed projects to UNOPS HQ for financial closure processes.
• Support with project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.
• Monitor programme budgets and financial expenditures performance in line with approved work-plans, manage variations in accordance with established tolerances, including escalation when appropriate.
• Monitor budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.
• Conduct budget revisions and initiate corrective actions when necessary

2. Knowledge Management Stakeholder engagement, partnerships and communications:

• Support communications with Donors and other Partners, from an operational perspective.
• Coordinate the arrangement of the meetings with internal and external stakeholders, and follow up on agreed action points.
• Support projects with formulation of communication plans. Coordinate internal project communications in line with donor requirements and UNOPS rules.
• Participate in, and report on, the relevant inter-agency, donor and government coordination meetings, when required.
• Support colleagues to advise the clients on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).
• Identify and escalate potential business opportunities for UNOPS.

Internal knowledge sharing:

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a portfolio-wide knowledge and resource sharing mechanism.
• Actively seek advice and coordinate partner engagement within UNOPS WEC.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt on project management, and sharing these within the portfolio.
• Participation in the periodic review and strengthening of Standard Operating Procedures based on lessons learnt and adaptation of programme/donor requirements.
• Collaboration in development of tools and platforms for data and content management, ensuring information and knowledge sharing with clients and partners.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - A relevant university degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) in Project Management, Business Administration, Economics, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, Communications, International Relations or another relevant discipline is required. - Advanced degree (master’s level or above) is desired and can substitute 2 years of experience out of the required 4. - Prince2 or PMP or similar project management certification at the foundation level will be considered an advantage.

Experience - A minimum of 4 years of relevant and progressive professional experience (or more, depending on the academic credentials) in the field of supporting project implementation and delivery activities, is required. - Experience with project planning, operations management, monitoring and reporting is preferable. - Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Office 2003 and/or newer versions) and experience in handling web-based systems is required. - Progressive experience with international organizations, preferably in UNOPS or another UN agency, is required.

Language Requirements - Proficiency in English is required. - Fluency in French or Spanish is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA 1 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.