Project Management - Process Re-design 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 – UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries to achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

UNOPS has operated as a self-financing entity within the UN system since 1994. Throughout this time, UNOPS has successfully delivered services to other UN entities as well as a variety of partners. UNOPS has, over the years, undertaken the delivery of increasingly complex engagements such as project implementation services for large physical infrastructure projects, multifaceted public health projects, and highly complex procurement assignments.

UNOPS is navigating a period of transformational change internally across all areas of the organization. Together with the steadily increasing size of UNOPS portfolio, UNOPS leadership structures, management practices, oversight mechanisms, as well as UNOPS ability to collaborate and manage knowledge, are being reshaped and improved through this process.

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.

Process Innovation and Digitalisation Programme (PID)

UNOPS is embarking on a Process Innovation and Digitalisation journey. The Programme aims to ensure UNOPS delivers the highest quality projects - sustainably, on time, and within budget - for partners and beneficiaries.

The Programme is expected to last four years. It will enhance UNOPS’ operational efficiency, effectiveness, and agility, overhauling processes and leveraging digital technologies and solutions. It will improve UNOPS’ collection and use of data, capacity for foresight, capacity for planning, knowledge management, and reporting.

A programme team is being established to provide business driven leadership for and support to UNOPS process innovation and digitalisation. Each UNOPS functional unit (Procurement, Human Resources, Finance, Project Management and Infrastructure, Partnerships, and Legal), will be represented by a Business Process and Change Manager (BPCM) and a Process Redesign Specialist that will act as representatives of the functional entity within which they are embedded.

In the Project Management and Infrastructure Unit (IPMG), UNOPS is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Project-process redesign specialist who, under the guidance of and reporting to the Business Process and Change Manager (IPMG), can support UNOPS with the implementation of this ambitious programme. This role has a secondary reporting line to the Director of the Process Innovation and Digitalization Programme.

Role of the Project-Process Redesign Specialist

This role necessitates a strong understanding of process mapping methodologies, a consultative approach to process re-engineering, and proficiency in leveraging digital technologies.

The key functions of the role include:

• Process Analysis
• Process Redesign
• Records and Reporting
• Change Management and Benefits Realization

Functional Responsibilities

1. Process Analysis: - Map current policies, processes, and practices relevant to portfolio, programme, and project management (referred to collectively as ‘project management’). - Assess current project management processes and identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and areas for improvement. - Recommend process improvements.

2. Process Redesign: - Formulate strategies for process redesign, considering global best practices and industry standards. - Contribute to process redesign initiatives ongoing across the transformation programme. - Lead specific process redesign projects, ensuring they align with the overarching strategy. - Engage with frontline teams to understand project implementation challenges and gather feedback throughout to inform redesign. - Engage and collaborate with stakeholders to gather feedback on proposed changes. - Review processes that impact upon the project management environment to ensure effective integration of processes and their alignment with organizational goals and programme objectives. - Define key performance indicators (KPIs) related to process redesign success.

3. Records and Reporting: - Track and report on project management related transformation initiatives, escalating risks in a timely manner. - Provide regular updates on the progress of process redesign projects and their impact on the project management enabling environment. - Contribute to and maintain frameworks for prioritization. - Contribute to roadmaps for digital technology integration. - Maintain comprehensive documentation of redesigned processes, guidelines, and associated materials. - Maintain records of project activities, decisions, and progress, ensuring effective communication. - Maintain the project management business capabilities map.

4. Change Management and Benefits Realization - Develop and implement change management plans to facilitate smooth transitions to new processes. - Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless integration of redesigned processes across service lines. - Develop and deliver training sessions to build staff capacity in understanding and implementing new processes. - Develop communication and training materials for process understanding and adoption. - Participate in Communities of Practice to gather insights on process redesign needs and to support implementation of redesigned processes. - Utilize lessons learned to inform each area of work. - Establish mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of redesigned processes, including tracking the KPIs related to process redesign success. - Work with key stakeholders and country-focused teams to identify arising issues and to iterate and refine processes based on feedback, performance metrics, and evolving organizational needs.

Impact of Results Successful performance by the Process Redesign Specialist would lead to the following impacts:

• Improved Internal Strategic Alignment: The successful implementation of redesigned processes and change management efforts will contribute to the development of a more fit for purpose P3M capability and internal culture aligned in service of UNOPS front line project management personnel.
• Improved Internal Perception: The PID is being implemented in service of UNOPS front line personnel and successful achievement of the Programme objectives will result in enhanced ability of these personnel to deliver on behalf of UNOPS partners, through more fit for purpose approaches and organizational structures enabling their success.
• Enhanced Operational Efficiency: The successful implementation of optimized processes would lead to improved efficiency and productivity across the organization. This would result in cost savings, reduced manual work, and faster project delivery, ultimately increasing operational efficiency.
• Improved Service Delivery: By optimizing its processes, UNOPS would be able to enhance its service offerings to its partners and stakeholders.
• Increased Organizational Performance: The successful adoption of optimized processes would enable UNOPS to achieve higher levels of organizational performance.
• Positive External Perception: Achieving the objectives of the PID (including process redesign) would enhance UNOPS's reputation and image among external stakeholders, including partner organizations, donors, and the wider development community. UNOPS would be recognized as an innovative, technology-driven organization committed to leveraging digital solutions for sustainable development, attracting new partnerships, funding opportunities, and talent.

Overall, the impact of a successful PID Programme would be transformative for UNOPS, driving efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation throughout the organization and positioning it for long-term success in the digital era.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Requirements: - An advanced degree preferably in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, IT, Development Studies, Political Science, Statistics, Economics, or other related fields is required. - A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above. - Strong knowledge of business process management methodologies, tools, and best practices, such as Lean Six Sigma, or other process improvement certifications would be an advantage.

Experience Requirements: - A minimum of 5 years of relevant and progressive professional experience in business process analysis and/or redesign, and/or optimization is required. - Recent experience of at least 3 years in project, programme and/or portfolio management (of the overall 5 years of relevant experience) is required. - Familiarity with digital technologies and their application in process optimization and automation is highly desirable. - Familiarity with UNOPS or other UN project management policies, processes, tools and systems is an asset. - Experience in large scale digital transformation would be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language (French, Spanish) is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement - ICA Contract level: International ICA2 - ICS10 Contract duration: 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.