Programme Management Specialist

Contract

This is a IICA-2 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – AUMCO

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & 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 - WEC

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management.

The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region and beyond.

The main partners include UN agencies such as UNEP and UNDP, bilateral donors (Nordic countries, Germany and Italy), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).

Under the supervision of the WEC Head of Programme, the position focuses on ensuring the management and coordination of high quality portfolio/programme delivery. It includes implementation oversight, quality development and assurance (active engagement with and guidance to PMO) and also hands-on implementation support. It will also facilitate capacity development and team building support. The incumbent will be facilitating the partnerships and programme development, knowledge management, stakeholder management and communications activities of the Water & Energy Cluster.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results

1. Programme development, planning and coordination

2. Programme management support

3. Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration

4. Knowledge management and document management

5. People management

1. Programme development planning and coordination

• Stay abreast of environmental and climate change activities of partners, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, and sustainability, to be included in programme design as relevant.
• Contribute to the development and articulation of the programme strategy and approaches in line with relevant UN and multilateral agreements, government and/or national or regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals. Ensure the proposed projects reflect in-house capacity, budget, typology of delivery areas and the internal tools and knowledge resources.
• Support the management team to translate the strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.
• Coordinate preparation of programme documents, initiation plans, work plans, etc.
• Coordinate the identification, design, and formulation of activities to meet programme objectives.
• Draft and/or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

2. Programme management support

• Analyze project agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with HQ.
• In collaboration with relevant personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.
• Provide review/input to scopes of work for procurement, ToRs for HR and grants processes, to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review implementing partner reports to ensure requirements are being met.
• Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, donors, and headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, Coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding agreements.
• Prepare, and provide editing support for, high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
• Coordinate communications between project offices and the central WEC programme/portfolio management office and partnerships teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.

3. Stakeholder coordination and inter-agency collaboration

• Contribute to the establishment and development of relationships with UN partners, international organizations, donors, governments, implementing partners for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant UN- and inter-agency meetings coordination, partner, donor and government meetings. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Support the development of programme, stakeholder and communications management strategies, where relevant, to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of Cluster or Country Programme objectives.
• Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.
• Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.

4. Knowledge management and document management and innovation

• Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
• Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme development and implementation.
• Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance
• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes.
• Support onboarding and capacity building of new PMs and project teams.

5. People management (as applicable)

• Ensure the effective planning, recruitment and development of a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Lead and motivate the programme team.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff).
• Act as OIC in the absence of more senior management.
• Carry out any other related duties as needed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - Advanced degree (master’s level or above) in Environmental Management, Project Management, International Relations, Political Science, Economics, Public Administration, Business Management or another relevant discipline is required. - A relevant university degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certification: - Prince2, IPMA or PMP-PMI project management certification would be considered a significant asset. - The incumbent will also be required to complete the relevant UNOPS project management courses within 6 months after appointment.

Experience: - At least 5 years of progressive experience required in the management and/or delivery of projects in either public or private sector organizations is required. - Experience working on project management in a UN organization or a similar international organization would be considered a strong asset. - Experience in facilitating the development, management and implementation of environmental management and climate change projects, programmes and initiatives would be considered a significant asset.

Language: - Excellent (written and oral) English language skills are required. - Excellent knowledge of other UN languages is desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Ongoing International ICA Contract level: ICS-10 / IICA-2 / LICA-10 Contract duration: – Long-term ‘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

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.