Programme Support Specialist

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 140,713 USD and 184,253 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business units and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development.
• Position UNOPS in the Balkan sub-region, the Caucasus and Central Asia.
• Strengthen the implementation of ECR global and regional programmes, with revitalized partnerships in infrastructure, procurement and project management.

ECR operates global portfolios from offices in Geneva, Brussels and New York, and country-specific programmes from its operations and project centres located in Eastern Europe and Central Asian countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background

Since 2010, the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement has inspired a new way of working collaboratively to end malnutrition, in all its forms. With the governments of SUN Countries in the lead, it unites people—from civil society, the United Nations, donors, businesses and researchers—in a collective effort to improve nutrition. The SUN Strategy 2021–2025 (SUN 3.0) prioritises country leadership and focuses on supporting systemic change at the country level. It seeks to capture the ambition of SUN countries and guide the work of all actors at all levels aligning concerted action behind and responding to commonly agreed national priorities set out by governments in SUN countries.

SUN 3.0 is committed to fundamental, non-negotiable aspects of effective nutrition action, including equity and the principle of leaving no one behind. For its third phase, the SUN Movement will drive forward gender equality and enshrine youth leadership across the Movement. SUN 3.0 will strengthen partnerships to achieve greater impact on nutrition through food systems, health systems, social protection systems, actions by the private sector and humanitarian and development actors, and through education, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate change adaptation.

The SUN Movement Secretariat plays a central role in enabling the multiple members and structures of the Movement to work together to advance progress on country-level priorities and the global positioning of nutrition.

The SUN Movement Secretariat comprises over 35 personnel, based in Geneva and in various regions globally. All parts of the Movement – member governments, the SUN Global Support System - the GSS, consisting of four SUN networks (Civil Society, United Nations, Business, Donors) and the SUN Movement Secretariat, together with the SUN Movement Coordinator, work together to align and focus efforts on priorities within countries.

The SUN Movement Secretariat is hosted by UNOPS.

Role of the Programme Support Specialist The Programme Support Specialist is part of the SUN Movement Secretariat Operations Team is responsible for ensuring effective provision of support service for the Secretariat across all aspects of operations (Finance, HR, Procurement, Health, safety, security and environmental (HSSE), Information Technology(ICT) and Administration) to ensure achievement of results, whilst driving compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity. This role is particularly focussed on ensuring UNOPS programme management standards and procedures are implemented within the Secretariat.

The Programme Support Specialist reports to the Head of Operations who provides direction and general supervision.

He/she works in close collaboration with teams across the SMS as well as interfacing with the Support Services function of the UNOPS Geneva Office, UNOPS HQ and other key stakeholders for successful service delivery.

Functional Responsibilities

The Programme Support Specialist reports to the Head of Operations who provides direction and general supervision.

He/she works in close collaboration with teams across the SMS as well as interfacing with the Support Services function of the UNOPS Geneva Office, UNOPS HQ and other key stakeholders for successful service delivery.

1. Programme Management - Support leaders across the SMS to establish measurable long/short term targets and monitor progress to measure performance and provide quality oversight. - Monitor the financial sustainability of the programme and delivery of desired results, ensuring compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance. - Prepare and submit mandated reports on critical issues to the relevant stakeholders, to drive future process improvement and business development planning. - Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, programme plans etc). - Working with UNOPS Geneva Office and UNOPS headquarters, define and maintain effective operations/support services processes. - Monitor client service and satisfaction with operations/support services processes, liaising with UNOPS Geneva Office and UNOPS headquarters for required support, as required. - Support the Head of Operations to manage the structured transition of any new UNOPS systems into the SMS.

2. Operations and advisory - Support the Head of Operations to develop and implement the Secretariat’s workplan and collaborate with colleagues to identify the needs, determine costs and plan all support services, including human resources, procurement, finance, travel, Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and administrative services. - In close consultation and coordination with the Head of Operations and Director, advise on effective use and delivery of resources against the budget. - Advise personnel across the SMS on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate operational rules, procedures and guidelines. - Provide advisory support to personnel across the SMS on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), templates and guidelines, and support documents from project formulation, project approval and project closure with a focus on budget/finance related matters, costing, etc. - Assist the Head of Operations to establish rosters/manage contacts for technical advisory personnel that are available on an on-call basis to provide the required external support. - Prepare and issue Terms of Reference or Statements of Works for agreements and subcontractors, including identifying suitable firms or institutions; evaluating proposals received; making recommendations for contract awards, and negotiating with successful bidder(s). - Prepare contract documents and Letters of Agreement with institutions and UN agencies, including administering contracts and agreements and processing amendments. - Negotiate and draft complex contracts for services; administer and monitor contracts and agreements; process amendments and payments - Assist the Head of Operations to monitor use of Delegations of Authority (DOA).

3. Reporting - Prepare and maintain project budgets and revisions, in consultation with the appropriate parties and ensure timely submission of financial reports. - Monitor agreements, budgets and expenditure and prepare any periodic process and budget/financial reports required. - Prepare and finalise documentation and contracts required for service delivery by UNOPS and the SMS. - Interact closely with SMS and UNOPS to ensure consistency in service delivery and operating protocols. - Develop and maintain a repository of programme documents, progress technical and financial reports, audit reports, assessment reports, terminal reports, etc.

4. Stakeholder Engagement (Donors & Partners)

• Support SMS leadership in the rolling out of fundraising strategies by engaging with donors and partners on operational and financial aspects.
• Negotiate, draft, finalize, arrange for timely signatures and monitor complex donor agreements by liaising with all actors involved, including ensuring full compliance with financial and legal requirements.
• Support SMS leadership in managing relations with funding partners to SUN, ensuring full compliance with agreements’ requirements and donor requests within the programmatic framework.
• Support the submission, review and follow-up of annual budgets and work plans to the board and other constituencies as requested.
• Coordinate all donor reporting and compliance requirements between external stakeholders, SUN and UNOPS.

5. Quality assurance - Work with internal stakeholders to ensure compliance with audit requirements. - Coordinate quality reviews of programme management documents and deliverables. - Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.).

5. Innovation and knowledge management - Strengthen and mainstream processes and procedures in providing support services through the development/provision of manuals and work flow processes and procedures, placing at the disposal existing UNOPS guidelines and tools/ SOPs and projects’ best practices and training materials. - Assess and identify training and learning needs, develop training schedules and organise workshops, meetings, on-the-job training, etc. to strengthen the capacity of personnel and thereby ensure smooth implementation of the workplan and effective reporting.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as finance, business, programme /project management, public administration or other relevant related field is required

• A Bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in managing or working in development projects, with significant international experience in project management, donor relations, service delivery and establishing relationships among international organisations is required

• At least two (2) years experience in donor engagement and external stakeholder management within a development programme context is required.

• Proven track record managing staff and operational systems and dealing with UNOPS regulations, rules and policies in the areas of contracting, procurement and human resources is desirable.

• Previous experience managing UN/UNOPS programmes and command of oneUNOPS or similar ERP systems is a strong asset.

• Experience in UN system organisations, preferably in a developing country, is desirable.

Languages

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Knowledge of another official UNOPS language, particularly French, is an asset.

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. 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. 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

1. Contract type : Fixed Term Staff Contract
2. Contract level : ICS10/P3
3. Contract duration One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability'

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.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.
• Geneva, Switzerland is a UN Family Duty Station
• 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.

**IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT APPLICANTS INCLUDE A SHORT COVER LETTER INDICATING THEIR MOTIVATION AND FIT FOR THE POSITION.***

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.