Programme Director

Contract

This is a ICS-13 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Civil Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about ICS-13 contracts.

Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided its largest partner, UNMAS, with interlinked portfolio, programme and project management services that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls.

Under this umbrella, the Cluster is responsible for the day-to-day management of UNMAS Field Programmes through a comprehensive approach encompassing areas such as human resources, procurement and contract management, as well as planning, implementation and risk management, that is supported by cross-cutting initiatives that include knowledge and information management, and gender, diversity and inclusion. This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented according to client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients.

Background Information - UNMAS

Established in 1997 and operating under UN legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a specialized entity that works to eliminate the threat posed by mines, explosive remnants of war and improvised explosive devices by coordinating United Nations mine action, leading operational responses at the country level, and supporting the development of standards, policies and norms.

At the country level, through its 19 field programmes, UNMAS provides strategic direction as part of peacekeeping operations, humanitarian emergencies and development contexts. In line with its global and/or country-programme specific mandates, UNMAS may plan and design mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action actors, and set priorities for mine action activities.

Background Information - Job-specific

**This roster replenishment is being launched in response to current vacancies in Mali and Iraq. Even though this roster is designed to serve vacancies worldwide, candidates who express interest in deploying to either Mali or Iraq (or both) within the next four months will be prioritized (this will be asked during the application stage). Candidates who are not interested in deploying to either Iraq or Mali are still encouraged to apply, but their applications will be assessed at a later date.**

Posts designated as D1 exist in countries in a special phase of development. Among other things, they are characterized by intense political instability, an extremely hazardous security environment, and high international visibility. The operations themselves tend to have considerable engagement values, a high number of personnel, third-party operators and a multiplicity of funding sources/donors. Sometimes, these programmes are in their ‘start-up’ phase, which brings further challenges. Taken together, these factors create fluid and unstructured environments, making key duties more difficult to execute, namely, working with local/regional authorities, resource mobilization, and overall project delivery. Moreover, the high level international media attention brings greater reputational risk to the organization than otherwise would be the case in more stable locations. Because of these elements, incumbents to these positions carry a unique weight of responsibility, and are expected to demonstrate refined political instincts, diplomatic poise, and enterprising resourcefulness.

Functional Responsibilities

The incumbent will have dual reporting lines: 1) to the UNMAS Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section, and ultimately to UNMAS Director on designing and implementing the programme in accordance with UNMAS mandate and strategic direction; 2) to Director, PSC on programme/project implementation and managing resources for intended outputs in accordance with UNOPS standards, rules and regulations.

Stakeholder Coordination and Relationship Building

• Network and build relationships with national authorities with respect to capacity-development programme/projects;

• Represent UNMAS/UNOPS in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;

• Take the lead in establishing relationships with national institutions, respective governmental authorities, donors, and international partners, including UN agencies, engaged in addressing the issue of mine action and other explosive threats and its impact on local communities. Advocate and provide advice to relevant stakeholders on all mine action issues, in accordance with recognized international standards, and in acknowledgement of the relevant international treaties;

Expected result: All stakeholders are regularly informed of the status of the programme in the respective country on a timely basis.

Strategic Policy, Advice, and Advocacy

• Take the lead in developing and maintaining a programme-specific strategy and implementation plan under the guidance of the Director of UNMAS and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) or the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (DSRSG) and in cooperation with peacekeeping and political missions, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant partners;

• Provide senior policy advice to the Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section on conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of global UNMAS policy/strategy;

• Identify and promote broad UNMAS strategies required for the development and implementation of the mission’s work programme;

• Provide technical advice and guidance to other UN agencies and partners when requested.

• Provide substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, the General Assembly, the Security Council and other policy-making organs, as appropriate;

Expected result: The strategic activities of the local government and international stakeholders are in accordance with UN objectives and, aligned, where applicable, to the relevant international mine action treaties, and achievement of obligations made under these treaties.

Project Management, Delivery, Administration and Performance of UNMAS Funded Activities

• Deliver and oversee the provision of strategic and managerial support, required for the fulfilment of the UNMAS mandate, carried out in a responsible and timely fashion and in line with UN/UNOPS quality standards and institutional values. The provision of this support is across programmes of considerable scope, complexity and/or size in terms of stakeholders, personnel, programme profile and funding profile;

• Establish programme design direction, and coordinate areas such as planning, budgeting, project and financial reporting, recruitment and human resources management, logistics, communications, staff training, and monitoring and evaluation and programmatic and substantive reviews. Maintain overall supervision, including quality monitoring and evaluation of the programme;

• Manage competing and/or complex elements of the social, economic and political context of the external operating environment, impacting the delivery of projects. Exhibit political astuteness in handling and responding to heightened and/or unexpected risks for programme execution;

• Lead and take responsibility and accountability for the implementation of gender, diversity and inclusion initiatives through the programme’s gender and diversity work plan, ensuring that gender and diversity mainstreaming is an integral part throughout the programme/project lifecycle;

• Provide programmatic and substantive reviews of drafts prepared by others;

• Responsible for establishing and maintaining a database of landmine as well as information on other explosive hazards, and a master map of affected areas. Actively seeks the information necessary to update and refine this database. He/she will act as the point of contact for UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations and other organizations seeking information on the mine/ERW and other areas with explosive contamination;

• Capacity Development: actively empower and support key local stakeholders to develop and implement a plan for transition, in order to transfer mine action responsibilities to national authorities;

• Approve draft Statements of Work (SOW) for inclusion in Requests for Proposals (RFP) issued by UNOPS for proposed mine action and ERW activities in the projects target country;

• Promote and support compliance with technical, safety and quality international standards and guidelines;

• This position may also entail safety and security responsibilities within the geographical area of responsibilities of operation to include the protection of all personnel, assets, property and information belonging to UNMAS/UNOPS established offices and programmes;

• Approve the work plans and supervise the activities of senior P5 and P4 project staff;

• Depending on the role this position will be assigned to within the project administration setup in a specific country/programme (e.g. office structure, DOAs, oneUNOPS functions, segregation of duties, etc.), the incumbent will have responsibilities determined by UNOPS rules and regulations embodied in its regulatory framework. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to UNOPS Director PSC through Portfolio Manager.

Expected result: UNMAS programs are delivered within pre-defined scope, budget, and timelines, and in accordance with UN/UNOPS Rules and Regulations.

Resource Mobilization and Management

• Contribute to the reporting to donors and intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate;

• In consultation with UNMAS HQ, take the lead in developing and implementing a resource mobilization strategy, targeting in-country funding opportunities. Such a strategy would include timely and appropriate acknowledgement at both national and international levels of current and past donors contributions and their impact;

• Proactively facilitate the mobilization of resources through engagement with multiple in-country stakeholders.

• Provide input to the Consolidated Appeals Process (CAP) and the global annual Portfolio of Mine Action Projects;

Expected result: Timely and accurate reporting. Funding opportunities within the programme country are optimized through an active strategy to pursue opportunities, supported by a timely recognition of current and past donor contributions.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

****Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!**

Education**

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience; or

• First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s degree) with a minimum of 12 years of relevant experience; or

• Military or police experience with a minimum of 16 years of relevant experience.

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project development and management, supporting operations in United Nations peace mission, United Nations political mission, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development contexts with public or private sector organizations

• Three years of senior leadership experience, including supervising multiple teams and managing large budgets, is required

• Experience working with mine-action sector is desirable

• Experience in incorporating gender, diversity and inclusion considerations into project/programme development and management is desirable
• Experience working in contexts with the SRSG lead missions, or UN Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator lead structures is desirable

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Fluency in other official UN languages, in particular Arabic, French and Spanish, is desirable

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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 Considerations

For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the job.

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.

UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

Based on organizational needs at the time of recruitment, applicants accepted into this UNOPS roster pool may be considered for job at the advertised job level or its equivalent. The successful candidate(s) may be offered a contract governed by the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules or UNOPS individual contractor agreement.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) / Temporary Appointment (TA) / International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA)

Contract level: ICS-13 (D1/P6/IICA4)

Contract duration: Length of contract will depend on contract modality and funding availability.

For more details about United Nations staff contracts and the UNOPS ICA modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.