Project Analyst

Contract

This is a IICA-1 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 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-1 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background information - IPMG

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established three interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, and Engagement Assurance, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team. IPMG is managed overall by the Director of IPMG.

The Engagement Assurance (EA) unit, is one part of three units in IPMG and provides an organizational oversight function and considers the application of standards, guidance and best practice throughout the execution of programmes and associated projects.

This unit delivers oversight functions through three teams, that of the Risk Based Performance Assessment team (RBPA), the Organisational Portfolio Management Office team (OPMO) and the Infrastructure Design Review Team (DR).

• IPMG's Risk-based Performance Assessment (RBPA) process aims to assist UNOPS Operational Hubs (OH), Operation Centres (OC), and Project Centres (PC) in understanding how portfolios, programmes and projects are being delivered in line with UNOPS systems and processes. These assessments look to define both the organisational and operational risk exposure of the office and support not only the mitigation of risk but also the development of organisational systems, process and standards.
• IPMG’s Organizational Portfolio Management Office (OPMO) also assists in the identification of risks and issues associated with portfolios, programmes and projects. The team has a central function of overseeing system-based engagement / programme and project activity and monitoring adherence to policy, process, systems and tools across the organization with a specific focus on infrastructure and project management.
• IPMG’s Design Review team have the role of assuring the quality of all infrastructure designs developed and delivered within UNOPS. The primary aims are to ensure that minimum requirements for life safety and functionality of design is maintained and to achieve a consistent, effective and efficient approach in infrastructure activities for our donors and beneficiaries

This position is expected to be a shared resource between RBPA and OPMO teams, as detailed below. The primary supervisor will be the OPMO Senior Project Analyst, with a secondary reporting line to RPBA Senior Engineer.

Functional Responsibilities

The successful incumbent is expected to support the achievement of IPMG objectives. A primary focus of the incumbent will be to facilitate qualitative and quantitative data analysis, oversight and reporting, and to inform requirements for further systems development. Specifically, the Project Analyst will perform the following duties and responsibilities: RBPA

• Support data collection to inform the preparation of colleagues carrying out RBPA missions to UNOPS offices. Respond to data requests before, during, and after RBPA missions. For instance, the incumbent may be requested to confirm the availability of project documentation in UNOPS systems for all projects in an office.
• Maintain and update data and outputs emerging from RBPA missions. For example, ensure that office actions in response to RBPA action plans are up to date.
• Maintain, update, and monitor the RBPA Dashboard in Looker Studio. This task includes updating datasets, drafting data visualisations, and monitoring key performance indicators.
• Support knowledge management efforts within EA and IPMG. The incumbent may be requested to contribute to knowledge sharing by drafting text for tipsheets, preparing charts or slides for various presentations, and otherwise supporting the communication of guidance and lessons to stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of RBPA reports as required. The incumbent may be requested to draft charts and other visualisations and perform analytical tasks in support of analysis lead by supervisor and RBPA colleagues.
• Support the RBPA team in preparation of webinars, workshops, meetings and conferences. For instance, the incumbent may coordinate the participation of key stakeholders and produce charts and other components to support the presentations of senior colleagues.
• Promote effective communication in correspondence with other HQ and field units.

OPMO

• Generate data reports to enable OPMO oversight and reporting on project management indicators;
• Develop charts and visualisations to contribute to the improvement of OPMO reports and dashboards;
• Support testing and maintenance of project related data sets, reports and dashboards developed by the OPMO;
• Assist with interpretation of data sets in support of the Senior Project Analyst to inform changes and system improvements;
• Consolidate and quality assure project related data to support the identification of risks, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses;
• Track regional improvement recommendations identified by OPMO;
• Support the OPMO team in preparation of regional webinars on project related data. For instance, the incumbent may coordinate the participation of key stakeholders and produce charts and other components to support the presentations of senior colleagues.
• Maintain OPMO documents, records, and files;
• Support the Senior Manager with PMO coordination and knowledge sharing activities, as required.

Please attach a cover letter explaining your motivation for this position and describing how relevant your experience is. Applications without a cover letter may be disregarded.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - An Advanced University Degree or a Master's Degree in a relevant disciple is required;

• A first-level University degree or Bachelor's or equivalent in a related field of study with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master's Degree requirement.
• PRINCE2® Foundation certificate is considered an asset;
• PRINCE2® Practitioner certificate is considered an asset.

Experience - Experience in project management or portfolio management or data analytics or risk management or other relevant field is an asset - Knowledge of and experience using the Google Cloud Platform (GCP) (including Big Query) is desirable; - Strong data communication and visualization skills, including with Google Data Studio is desirable; - Previous working experience in developing countries in an international environment is desirable; - Experience with project management in UNOPS context and UNOPS systems is considered an asset;

Language requirements

• Fluency in English required.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish is highly desired.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA Contract level: ICSC-8 Contract duration: Ongoing - 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.

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.