Programme Management Specialist - Donor and Stakeholder Relations

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 - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – UNMAS

Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal point for mine action and supports its vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.”

UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions.

UNMAS establishes, manages, and provides strategic direction to mine-action coordination centers in countries and territories as part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises. In these situations, UNMAS may plan and carry out mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action service providers, and set priorities for mine clearance, mine-risk education and all other aspects of mine action.

Background Information - UNMAS Afghanistan

The Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA), the world’s largest mine action programme, was established in 1989 to make Afghanistan safe from the threat of mines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Afghanistan, a project implemented by UNOPS, supports the government Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) in planning, managing and overseeing mine action activities in Afghanistan. It provides technical support to all partners and ensures the proper integration of mine action into wider humanitarian assistance and developmental programmes. Additionally, UNMAS manages the Afghan Civilian Assistance Program (ACAP III) funded by USAID to provide short and long-term assistance to civilian victims of conflict incidents and their families to help rebuild lives economically, psychologically and physically. Conflict related incidents include armed conflict and injuries or death from explosive remnants of war and mines. The program works closely with government ministries in Afghanistan, notably the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Martyrs and the Disabled (MoLSAMD)

Functional Responsibilities

***** Candidates with no UN or UNOPS experience are strongly encouraged to apply! * Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!****

The incumbent will be responsible for project management and implementation, in particular coordinating and ensuring that implementing partners are equipped to achieve goals in line with the Country Programme Strategy (CPS). S/he will report to the Senior Programme Officer and help ensure that programme planning, budgeting and implementation are aligned with the CPS. The incumbent will also be responsible for supporting all communication and liaison with Japanese stakeholders (including donors and strategic partners). S/he will be working on a project funded by the Government of Japan in close consultation with UNMAS Afghanistan Senior Managers. Japan plays a significant role in the design and implementation in the project. The Programme Management Specialist will provide the primary interface and liaison with representatives of the Japanese Embassy and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and s/he will communicate status updates verbally, in writing and via ad-hoc reporting, where the primary language will be Japanese.

Functions/Key Results

1. Donor and partner relations (Japanese Embassy and Government counterparts)
2. Project management, project development, planning and coordination, with an emphasis on Japanese-funded initiative
3. Support to grants management and stakeholder relations
4. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

1. Donor and partner relations (Japanese Embassy and Government counterparts) - Responsible for all communication and liaison with the Japanese donor to the Afghanistan UNMAS Programme and any strategic Japanese partners. - Responsible for liaison and translation when Japanese delegations visit the programme and shall write and submit reports, communication briefings or media articles to the donor in Japanese. - Support senior programme officer in engaging in a stable and strong partnership with the Japanese counterparts to support increased resource mobilisation for the programme. - Release of strategic communications on programme achievements to increase the profile of the UNMAS Afghanistan programme for the Japanese public and government.

2. Project management, project development, planning and coordination, with an emphasis on Japanese-funded initiative

- Support the Senior Programme Officer in the development and articulation of the Country Programme Strategy (CPS), and evaluate if CPS is in line with relevant UN and government and/or national/ regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals. - Support the team to translate strategies into implementation/result orientated work plans and draft project documents as needed for programme implementation. - Preparation of programme and project documents to support resource mobilisation, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets. - 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.

3. Support to grants management and stakeholder relations

- In collaboration with relevant personnel, support the monitoring mechanisms that measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements. - Review grant processes to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review to ensure requirements are being met in implementing partner reports. - Track programme results against targets, ensure that delivery is on track; compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.

4. Support stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes, particularly inclusive of engagement with one-UN programme in Kabul.
• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in programme design as relevant.
• Maintain relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

******* Candidates with no UN or UNOPS experience are strongly encouraged to apply! * Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply!****

Education:** - Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) with an additional 5 years of relevant experience is required ; OR - First-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) with an additional 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience: - Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management. - Experience in resource mobilisation, strategic communications or donor and stakeholder relations is desired.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Japanese (reading, writing, speaking) is required.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contract level: IICA-2 (ICS-10) Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – 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 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.