Regional Management and Oversight Support Specialist

Mid Senior Admin

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

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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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 organizations.

Africa Regional Office:

Based in Nairobi, the Africa Regional Office (AFR RO) supports UNOPS’ offices throughout the region, providing programme, partnerships, management and oversight, health and safety, and human resources support.

The Africa Regional Office helps ensure that programmes and projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Regional Management and Oversight Advisor (RMOA) the Regional Management and Oversight Specialist supports the Africa Regional Office in the following areas: Process and Operational Excellence, Performance Oversight and Coordination, Research, Analysis and Reporting, Finance and Budgeting, Coordination and Monitoring Support, Capacity Building and Knowledge Management, Stakeholder Engagement and Communication.

The Regional Management and Oversight Specialist is dedicated to fostering a collaborative, client-focused, quality-driven, and results-oriented approach. Their specific responsibilities include the following:

• Process and Operational Excellence
• Performance Oversight and Coordination
• Research, Analysis, and Reporting
• Finance and Budgeting
• Coordination and Monitoring Support
• Capacity Building and Knowledge Management
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communication

Functional Responsibilities

Process and Operational Excellence: - Ensure full compliance of Africa Regional Office with UNOPS rules, regulations, and policies. - Analyze HQ and regional business processes, and recommend improvements for efficiency and effectiveness of such processes. - Assist in drafting and development of regional Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and guidelines. - Facilitate training and internal consulting on new corporate initiatives, policy updates, procedures and regional SOPs. - Support implementation of updated corporate standards, tools, and templates. - Provide operational support for missions and audits and conduct necessary preparation work prior to such missions and audits. - Monitor the operating environment for potential risks and intervene as needed.

Performance Oversight and Coordination: - Set and propose regional performance targets for value, process excellence, people management, and financial stewardship. - Recommend structural arrangements for cross-functional integration and coordination. - Develop and implement performance monitoring systems to drive a high-performance culture across the region.

Research, Analysis and Reporting: - Conduct substantive research, analysis, and reporting for regional management and oversight. - Prepare briefing materials and regional performance summary reports with recommendations. - Monitor and analyze regional KPIs performance and prepare regular and ad-hoc management reports. - Ensure timely communication and follow-up on action plans.

Finance and Budgeting: - Organize the annual budgeting and target setting process for the region. - Monitor the investment funding portfolio, analyze its performance and support revision of the same where necessary and necessary closures. - Analyze and report on budget expenditures and assist in advising the Regional Management team on budget status, ensuring that funds allocated is not exceeded or that additional funds are allocated when required. - Manage budget revisions, project financial reports, provisions, write-offs, and closures. - Respond to financial and administrative queries from Head Quarters (HQ) and AFR RO offices. - Assist in managing regional resources, ensuring cost recovery and accurate financial reporting.

Coordination and Monitoring Support: - Support Quarterly Assurance and monitoring of the regional program portfolio. - Contribute to Quarterly Business Reviews and Quarterly Management Reviews for operational and process effectiveness. - Assist in implementing and monitoring the regional strategic plan and corporate initiatives e.g. Gender Diversity and Inclusion, Ethics, and Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment - Coordinate Multi-Country Office (MCO)/Country Office (CO) Teams and thematic task forces.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Management: - Establish a systematic approach for Learning and Development (L&D) and knowledge-sharing needs assessment and best practices. - Develop and improve onboarding programs for new AFR RO personnel. - Support and oversee the planning, preparation and execution of regional workshops and retreats for AFR RO personnel, including developing schedules, presentations and briefing materials. - Be a regional focal point for training, knowledge management and lessons learned activities and document the same. - Collaborate with Communities of Practice to identify and share case studies and lessons learned. - Coordinate with UNOPS headquarters and internal stakeholders to align initiatives. - Participate in coordination meetings, working groups, and task forces as required. - Maintain regular communication with multi-country offices to address needs and support requests.

Impact of Results The Regional Management and Oversight Specialist directly impacts on the achievement of regional results, enhancing intra-regional collaboration. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, Development Studies, International Relations or other related field is required. - A first-level university degree with an additional 2 years of work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. - PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is highly desirable.

Experience:- A minimum 5 years of experience in supporting programmes, operations, or management is required. - A minimum 2 years of experience (out of the main 5 years) in budgeting, data analysis, reporting, human resources, and procurement is required. - Experience working at the national or international levels, in a multicultural setting is desirable. - Knowledge of Google Workspace, particularly Google Sheets, or equivalent is desirable. - Knowledge of UN/UNOPS’ rules, regulations, policies, tools, and systems is desirable. - Experience working in the Africa region will be considered an advantage.

Language: - Fluency in written and oral English is required. - Knowledge of another official UN official language 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. 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 Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA). Contract level: International ICA 2 (ICS-10). 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.
• This position is based in Nairobi, Kenya which is a family duty station.

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.

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Added 5 hours ago - Updated 5 hours ago - Source: jobs.unops.org