Project Management Support Specialist (Socio Economic & Grants)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-10 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-10 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background: 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

Grant Management

Technical and Advisory Services

Background: Project

UNOPS, through ECR AUMCO, is partnering with the Government of Albania and the European Union, as well as with the UN system, to facilitate the post-earthquake rehabilitation and reconstruction of a large number of key cultural heritage sites, museums, and cultural hubs and to promote tourism and economic development of the sites.

On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by its most deadly earthquake in a century. The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and caused significant casualties and property damage, resulting in 51 deaths, over 1000 injured, and nearly 14,000 people displaced. To measure and assess the economic damage, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was conducted, estimating the total economic losses at nearly EUR 1Billion.

The PDNA documented the destruction of public and private infrastructure. Of particular concern was the destruction of cultural heritage monuments and property, as 53 cultural heritage properties were significantly damaged by the earthquake. This project seeks to remediate the effect of the earthquake on Albania’s cultural heritage through the rehabilitation of monuments, as well as contribute to Albania’s socio-economic recovery through the construction and upgrade of these sites. It will be important also to support improvements in the capacity of institutions responsible for the management of these cultural monuments and sites to better accommodate tourism. A final outcome of the project is the effective communication of project results to the wider public and developing and implementing an advocacy platform resulting in better recognition of the important role of culture in the social and economic well-being of Albanian citizens.

Functional Responsibilities

Grant management :

• Provide solid guidance on the creation, implementation and management of grant schemes to support cultural and creative industries sector operators in the selected project target sites with a viewpoint of empowering local communities and contributing to increase of income generation, reducing poverty and reinforcing social inclusion.
• Analyse and propose implementation approaches for soundness, feasibility and cost implications for Grants intervention areas. .

Partnership and client relations: - Contribute to a strategy plan to stimulate local cultural operators and professionals to acquire and develop artistic, technical, technological and managerials skills and competencies to be engaged in economically viable activities, goods and services, with special focus on vulnerable groups and Youth engagement. - Identify potential clients and business partners to pursue new business opportunities. - Provide guidance and support to all counterparts and partners on grant management issues, report any deviations and impact of changes or issues that arise during implementation, suggesting a range of solutions where possible. - Manage the effective information flows with internal and external stakeholders, including established, consistent and consolidated reporting formats . - Foster collaborative work environment within the Project team and different partners in monitoring implementation of grants by coordinating projects implementation plans, cost implications, timely start, progress and completion of all activities and proactively highlighting for discussion and action the activities that are at risk of processes being delayed.

Implementation and operational support:

• Ensure effective and compliant grant management implementation in line with agreed scope, timelines, budget and UNOPS mandate, mission and vision.
• Establish priorities, targets and performance standards; develop business plans with measurable short and long term targets, and monitor progress to measure performance against these.
• Coordinate integration of the work stream into the overall program engagement/project.
• In coordination with relevant stakeholders, develop Calls for Proposal (CfP) with consideration of selection criteria, targeting economic, cultural and innovative tourism, cultural or environmental activities, Lead the CfPs process in line with UNOPS policies and procedures, including dissemination and outreach activities of CfPs, preparation for review by grant selection committee, preparation of evaluation reports and the submission to relevant authority for awards.
• Coordinate contracting of grantees with support from operations units and teams, management of the respective legal instruments, disbursements to grantees and extension or closure of the appropriate contracts.
• Manage day to day administration of the grant management activities with support from operations units and teams, track the progress of grantees, as well as the collection and assessment of their narrative and financial reports.
• Conduct substantive grant performance monitoring in accordance with the approved proposals and defined milestones, including during inception, delivery and closure of grants.
• Assist with maintaining the project issues, risks, lessons learned, quality registers and other relevant products as per UNOPS’ legislative framework and Grants Management Manual.
• The incumbent will be required to report to the supervisor on programme performance, including preparing reports to be provided to the Project Board and other stakeholders, ensuring consistency with UNOPS rules, regulations and requirements, as well as the terms of the relevant project and grants contracts.
• Perform other related duties and tasks as needed for effective implementation of grants, narrative reports, financial reports, grant closure procedures and targets as related.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Advanced University Degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Development Studies or a relevant area. - A first level university degree in Project Management, International Relations or related fields with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in designing and managing grants elements of projects or programmes is required, preferably with a focus on socio-economic development.
• Experience with administration, fund management, project management, or procurement is desirable .
• At least 3 years of demonstrated progressive experience in developing and managing relationships with bilateral and multilateral public and private partners is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in Gender mainstreaming in the public sector is desirable;
• International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) or PRINCE2 foundation is desirable.
• Knowledge of UN rules and regulations with regards to grant making is considered an asset.

• High proficiency with computers, and other software/ platforms related to the positions field of expertise. Good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is preferred.

  Languages

• Fluency in English and Albanian 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: Regular, Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: ICS-10 / LICA-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.