Programme Management Officer

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-8 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 0 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-8 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

UNOPS team in Thailand supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Located in Bangkok, the team supports UN agencies, international non-governmental organisations, and governments throughout the region. We provide a range of services, including human resources (HR), financial management, procurement and project implementation services.

UNOPS Thailand delivers large-scale and high volume transactional HR services on behalf of global partners.

To best serve partners' needs, our team utilises standardised and unified systems and processes to ensure the highest quality of services and cost-effectiveness for partners.

The Programme Management Officer will be working alongside the M+E Unit and the Grants Unit to move the programmatic portfolio forward. The Programme Management Officer will report to the Senior Programme Manager, and will be the focal person for individual projects and implementing partners from the programme’s pipeline. The Programme Management Officer, supported by other senior programme team members, will review/appraise and develop project proposals in collaboration with implementing partner that fit into the programme strategy, while also carrying out key technical and relationship-building functions associated with grant management after grants have been approved and projects are operational.

As a key member of the Programme Team, and enabling the programme’s ability to invest in key programming areas as identified in the programme’s strategy, the Programme Management Officer will carry out the following task: Focal point for the applicants/implementing partners and will lead on all coordination required inside the programme (between teams and units) to produce projects for approval as well as being the lead on direct communications with external partners under grants; provide strategic and technical support and guidance to implementing partners and diverse stakeholders in the areas of conflict sensitivity, risk assessments/mitigation, value for money, project-context analysis and gender/inclusion approaches in project design and post-approval implementation; work with the M+E Unit to guide and coordinate technical support and capacity-building efforts to implementing partners to enhance reporting against the approved programme’s strategy and results framework; and work with senior management level colleagues to analyse and respond to the programming needs, while being responsive to the gaps and technical requests. In addition to the above, the Programme Management Officer will represent the Programme Team with funded partners, in different coordination and technically-focused fora, while coordinating with other UNOPS teams/units as required.

Functional Responsibilities

The Programme Management Officer will work under the supervision of the Senior Programme Manager. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS Thailand Multi-Country Office. S/he will collaborate closely and engage actively with other UNOPS team members for managing grants and assisting in programme activities.

Specific tasks will include:

1. Facilitate and provide technical support to Programme activities (60%) - To be the focal lead on projects that are funded, under consideration for funding and/or under development feeding into outcomes/results of the programme strategy. - Enable responsive and flexible programming by applying the Programme’s policies and procedures, being relevant to the needs and dynamic context of the peace pathways. - Manage a portfolio of projects ensuring that timely solutions posed and decisions are made in a consultative and evidence-based manner, and are implemented efficiently and effectively. - Assess, appraise and develop project proposals relating to the approved programme strategy. - Work closely with other Programme Team colleagues to mainstream gender, conflict sensitivity and risk mitigation efforts into projects and the programme’s systems, strategies and approaches. - Bring technical expertise to the Programme Team based on direct peacebuilding, programming in conflict-affected communities and/or other sectors of work in the national contexts that intersect with the peace pathways. - Provide technical and contextualised project support, advice and coaching to funded implementing partners and externally to applicants.

2. Manage and integrate Programme relationships (20%)

• Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders.
• Oversee Implementing Partners’ use of programme’s resources and project deliverables, verify that programme funds are used to meet the programme’s objectives and no other purposes, and ensure there is optimum value for money in investments made.

• Build and maintain strong technical working relationships, and interlinking projects in order to demonstrate complementarity and interconnection between thematic areas.

  3. Monitoring, reporting and process improvement (10%)

• Identify and respond to expressions of demand and/or need for technical assistance by project partners in a timely manner.

• Provide contextual analysis and contribute to the preparation of reports on the projects being implemented, contributing to reporting results to the programme’s results framework.
• Contribute to the development, revision and implementation of the programme’s programming tools, frameworks, procedures and guidelines, as required.

• Contribute to the refinement of systems that support effective development and appraisal of proposals alongside other UNOPS units and teams.

  4. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing (10%)

• Ensure efficient documentation, data management and effective communication of results in collaboration with other UNOPS units and teams.

• Contribute to the UNOPS’s learning culture, documenting and applying lessons learned for more effective funding and implementing partner management.
• Contribute to the revision of programme strategy and results framework as required.
• Document “success stories” for use by UNOPS in M+E and communications, assisting with communications as required.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Peace and Conflict Studies, Social Sciences, International Development Studies/Human Security, Management or related field is required. - A first level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) combined with minimum 2 years of relevant experience is considered as an equivalent.

Experience - A minimum 1 year of professional experience in the field of programme management and development in an international institution, donor agency, civil society, NGO or INGO is required. - A minimum 1 year of program implementation experience in conflict-affected settings, peace processes and/or governance transitional environments, is required. - Direct experience with applying gender mainstreaming, conflict sensitivity/DNH, risk assessments/mitigation measures and gender inclusion into project design and implementation is highly desirable. - Budget development and sub/grant management experience (even if small micro-grants at community levels) is highly desirable. - Knowledge of peacebuilding and peace promoting programming is highly desirable. - Experience with programme-driven M&E practices, data collection and management is an advantage.

Language - Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

Other - Willingness to travel within the country for technical support, partnership-building and programmatic guidance for implementation purposes, is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA-8 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

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.
• This position is stationed in Bangkok, Thailand, which is a family duty station.
• A motivation letter outlining your interest in working on a project management position on peacebuilding and highlighting their relevant experience/ skills, is very welcome but not required.

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.