Programme Management Specialist

Mid Senior Programme & Policy

Overview

Support capacity building and project management for preventing violent extremism.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in communications, political science, social science, international relations, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications and project coordination with at least three (3) years of experience on PCVE is required.
• Experience in running large and small capacity building workshops.
• Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required.
• Fluency in Arabic (write, read, talk) is required.

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 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.

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York. The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT)/the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) Global Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) Programme provides integrated capacity building packages, institutional development and technical assistance to requesting Member States, civil society and the UN system to strengthen individual, community and national resilience to violent extremism and reduced threat of terrorism. The Programme engages in nine substantive and mutually reinforcing portfolios: policy assistance, strategic communications, youth engagement, education, mental health, new frontiers, gender, human rights and coordination.

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for or in UNOCT. The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

The position supports the work of UNCCT, part of UNOCT and promotes the delivery of United Nations capacity building assistance to Member States relating to PCVE. The Programme Management Specialist will support effective implementation of the UNCCT Global PCVE Programme, primarily on the strategic communications portfolio, under the supervision of the Project Manager and in coordination of the UNOCT Global Programme on PCVE Head of Unit and Chief of UNCCT Pillars I and IV.

The Programme Management Specialist will provide technical guidance, at the direction of the UNOCT Global Programme on PCVE Head of Unit and Chief of UNCCT Pillars I and IV, as follows:

• Develop evidence-based, appealing and effective PCVE products, content and materials in support of the Programme’s deliverables and results, including training modules, concept notes, reports, guidelines/toolkits and social media content.
• Support the preparation and facilitation of national and regional workshops and events with Member States, UN entities, and other potential beneficiaries, focused on strategic communications, governance, and institutional development, as it relates to using communications to preventing violent extremism.

• Deliver or assist in the delivery of specialized, tailored technical assistance, advisory services, and training to Member States, UN entities, and other potential beneficiaries on good practice communication methodology including:

  • Audience analysis
  • Stakeholder mapping
  • Communications campaign design
  • Measurement and evaluation
  • Crisis Communications
• Research and gather substantive information on PCVE and strategic communications, in a global and local context.
• Draft reports of each training and technical assistance activity, including analysis and assessment of lessons learned and options for improved future delivery.
• Consult with Member States, UN entities, and other relevant stakeholders in country and at UN Headquarters to identify and assess capacity building needs, together with the Programme Manager.
• Engage with PCVE counterparts in Global Counter-Terrorism Coordination Compact entities, and other Programme partners and entities on the implementation of project activities, under the guidance of the UNOCT Global Programme on PCVE Head of Unit.
• Advise on the project’s overall strategic direction and use ongoing findings and results from implementation of activities to develop and improve the project’s methodology and approach.
• Identify opportunities to improve visibility and implementation of activities.
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework and apply lessons learned.
• Perform other duties across the Global PCVE Programme as required.

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

  Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Develop PCVE products, materials, content, training and guidelines, particularly on strategic communications, at the direction of the UNOCT Global Programme on PCVE Head of Unit and Chief of UNCCT Pillars I and IV.

• Deliver, and provide direct assistance for the delivery of capacity building activities, including regional, national and subnational workshops and technical assistance, at the direction of the UNOCT Global Programme on PCVE Head of Unit and Chief of UNCCT Pillars I and IV.
• Assist and deliver scoping missions to support the programme outcomes.
• Contribute to the continued development and incorporation of good practice and lessons learned into programme delivery.
• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

*CANDIDATES WITH NO UNITED NATIONS OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

Education - Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in communications, political science, social science, international relations, or another relevant field. - Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

Required:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in communications and project coordination with at least three (3) years of experience on PCVE is required.

• Experience running large and small capacity building workshops, designing and providing technical assistance to a range of audiences, including to government officials is required.

• Direct experience in the delivery of PCVE projects and programmes, particularly in strategic communication is required.
• Experience in inter-agency coordination work with an international organisation is required.

Desirable (The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply):

• Experience in conceptualizing and managing the production of communication materials, including social media and audio-visual content, detailed reports and presentations is desired.
• Experience liaising and coordinating with government officials is desired.
• Experience in overseeing translation work would be an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required.
• Fluency in Arabic (write, read, talk) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN working languages is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (L-ICA 10)

Contract duration: Open-ended (renewable subject to funds availability 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

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

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• 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
• 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org