Senior Programme Manager

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 113,531 USD and 146,374 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 - Job-specific

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 harmonisation

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

UNOPS Hub in Amman

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, in order to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

Background Information – Syria

The operational environment in Syria remains fragile. In Syria, UNOPS provides operational support to its partners and UN sister agencies in order to maximise the efficiency of the response to the urgent needs of the affected communities. In addition, UNOPS has been working with its partners to improve access to emergency services for the affected communities, including access to health care, while it remains committed to engage with partners in other sectors with an aim to improve the quality of life and access to basic services for all.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Hub Director, and under the secondary supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Adviser will ensure the overall management of UNOPS presence in Syria, and advise the Hub Director, and the Head of Programme accordingly. The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

UNOPS Strategic Positioning:

• Provide comprehensive analysis on the current situation in Syria, including political and socio-economic developments;
• Develop a forward-looking strategy for UNOPS activities in Syria, incorporating a number of alternative scenarios and lesson learned, and in full engagement with the project teams in Syria;
• Develop an understanding of the operational context in Syria and identify opportunities for UNOPS support to the stakeholders in Syria;
• Work closely with the Head of Programme and the Partnership Advisor in the Amman Hub to analyse programming opportunities and provide inputs into project development, including drafting of concept notes, project proposals, and negotiating legal agreements;
• Keep abreast of the relevant developments in Syria, including information on the key actors, events and stakeholders;
• Maintain a good local network and relationships with key donors, partners, and stakeholders, as relevant to the situation in Syria;
• Support the Regional Director and the Hub Director on strategic matters relating to UNOPS positioning and/ or programming in Syria.

Programme/ Project Implementation:

• Support project teams in strengthening relationship with local entities for effective project implementation;
• Follow up on ongoing UNOPS engagements in Syria;
• Support the PMs in the Quarterly Review processes;
• Alert the Hub on any impending or anticipated risks that may affect UNOPS programme implementation;
• Participate in Project Steering Committees, as needed.

National and UN/ non-UN Planning and Coordination Processes:

• Engage with relevant UN and national/ non-UN coordination mechanisms and represent UNOPS, as and when needed;
• Contribute to ensuring technical coordination between all projects and relevant UN and non-UN entities;
• Review and provide inputs into strategic-level, inter-agency, humanitarian, and national planning processes, as pertaining to UNOPS programming in Syria;
• Represent the UNOPS Hub Director in relevant UN and/ or non-UN forums, as and when requested;

Knowledge Management Support:

• Provide support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the programme and partnership goals and objectives;
• Maintain close interaction with Programme/Project staff to share information and knowledge; and to provide proactive support and follow-up in building and maintaining effective partnership;
• Produce periodic reports, briefing papers, and talking points for meetings of the senior management as related to Syria;

Programme/ Project Development Support:

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS Organisational Directives, Administrative Instructions and Project Management Manual during the development of new projects in Syria including the drafting of project documents at opportunity /pre-engagement and initiation stages, in coordination with the Partnerships Advisor and the Head of Programme;
• Ensure proper handover of finalised engagement(s) to project manager(s) in full coordination with the Head of Programme, the Partnerships Advisor, and the PMO;
• Provide support to the Hub Director, the Head of Programme, and the Partnerships Advisor in identifying opportunities for UNOPS support to the stakeholders in Syria.

Other Duties:

• Perform other related duties as and when requested by the Hub Director or Head of Programme.

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

• Advanced university degree (Master degree or equivalent) in political science, social science, international relations or related fields.
• A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, humanitarian and development programme management/oversight/monitoring, and/or resource mobilisation is required;
• Previous experience of working in Syria is desirable;
• Contextual knowledge of the situation in the Middle East and the accompanying challenges is required;
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience of engaging with bilateral and multilateral partners is required;
• At least 3 years of professional experience with the UN is required;
• Computer literacy and functional use of Google Suite/ Google Platform is required;
• Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: TA
2. Contract level: TA-P4
3. Contract duration: One year

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.