Senior Programme Manager - Just Coal Transition Platform

Contract

This is a IICA-3 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries in South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.

EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations.

Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership

The Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) brings together governments and philanthropies to work with partner countries in the region. We support the transition towards clean energy systems that can ensure economic growth, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Enabling the transition towards greener energy systems will accelerate the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement objectives.

ETP Secretariat, incorporated into UNOPS, will support the Steering Committee (SC) and facilitate the implementation of SC’s decisions. The Secretariat will operate as per defined Terms of Reference approved by the SC. The Secretariat will undertake day-to-day management and operation of the ETP Fund: (1) it launches Calls for Proposal and carries out proposals assessments; (2) it provides assistance and support to implementing partners; (3) facilitates the design, development and implementation of an overall M&E strategy; (4) monitors progress made by each project during the implementation phase.

The Just Coal Transition Platform (JCT Platform) is a project of ETP in collaboration with the World Bank that provides a convening platform for stakeholders to engage with their peers and donors on transitional issues stemming from energy transition.

Just Coal Transition Platform

The JCT Platform supports energy transition in the coal regions in Southeast Asia by providing the much needed coordination of the just transition programs for the benefit of the stakeholders standing to be affected by energy transition and particularly coal phase down. ETP SC provides for the governance of the JCT Platform and the Platform Secretariat will be embedded in the ETP Secretariat.

ETP seeks an experienced Programme Manager with Just Transition experience to organize the JCT Platform, implement and lead the JCT Platform activities, with background and experience in Just Transition efforts.

Functional Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Fund Director and in coordination with the Senior Fund and Program Managers, and the ETP Secretariat, the incumbent, supported by the Platform Secretariat team, will be responsible for performing the following tasks:

A. Platform implementation and management

• Lead the establishment and management of the Platform Secretariat team and the partnerships directly and indirectly contributing to the Platform and its activities.

• Oversee, guide, and manage the Platform, including all of its activities and structures, agreements and coordination arrangements, including annual forums, learning academy, thematic committees, twinning arrangements, governance meetings and all other activities of the Platform.

• Guide the Platform’s technical, financial, programming and coordination functions and execute the Platform’s implementation plans in collaboration with partners as defined in the Platform’s Project Implementation Manual to ensure timely delivery of the Platform’s activities.
• Ensure effective relationship management with the Platform’s partners and establish and maintain productive relationships with the Platform stakeholders, regularly expanding the stakeholder relationships.
• Set up the arrangements for the Platform, including its Thematic Committees and provide guidance for effective operation of the committees in collaboration with their thematic leads, and ensure that the set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results meet the Platform’s anticipated results expectations providing and complementing time execution of the Committee's services.
• Design and implement twinning programmes to foster the anticipated exchange of knowledge, experience and good practices crowding in and nurturing collaboration with partners and oversee the execution of these arrangements in view of the expected results.
• Manage and facilitate the preparation of programme documents and terms of reference for contractors, consultants, staff of the Platform Secretariat among other specific contracting services required to deliver Platform’s activities.
• Ensuring that the governing arrangement meet the expectations of the Platform partners, arrange for the Governing Body events and support the Governing Body in all of its activities by providing secretariat services for the Governing Body, enabling the greater range of members’ participation in the Platform.
• Develop the Platform’s sustainability plan, which will set the path for the Platform to move to its permanent institutional arrangement, including financing arrangements and agree on these with the governing body.
• Coordinate and ensure alignment of the Platform’s activities and coherence with other just transition facilities in Southeast Asia.
• Act as a go-to-coordinator for the Platform, represent the Platform Secretariat, provide leadership in expansion of the Platform’s relevance and effectiveness and expanding its partnerships and reach and oversee the Platform’s capacity to meet its results expectations as a coordinator of Just Transition programs in the region, strategizing and implementing relevant plans and activities.

B. Operations Planning and Oversight

• Prepare timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs and reporting in close coordination with ETP Fund Management and Support Services.
• Plan, develop and manage the project personnel/technical experts with the skills to implement effective communication strategy in engaging with all relevant stakeholders and managing the knowledge resources of the Platform.
• Develop and submit reports on the activities of the Platform, including quarterly, Semi- and Annual reports that contain its results-based monitoring framework, budget utilisation and resource planning updates, and reports on the events and plans.
• Take responsibility for the implementation of the JCT Platform implementation and daily operational running in accordance with its terms of reference in all aspects, continually providing innovative and agile leadership, including for capturing emerging opportunities to generate greater impact.

C. Organization of Platform meetings, capacity-building events and arrangement of logistical support

• Plan and organize platform meetings, local workshops, and learning academy meetings for the Platform’s relevant stakeholder groups in close collaboration with partners.
• Provide effective and timely logistic support for the organization of Platform’s events, workshops and meetings.

D. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Lead the development and maintain oversight of the ETP/JCT online platform and relevant databases.
• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure ETP/JCT and UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Plan, implement and organise capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

E. Other Assignments

• Perform other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Director of ETP.

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. 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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Economics, Political Science, Social Sciences, Energy Studies, Project Management, Humanities, or related field is required.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.
• PRINCE 2 or similar project management certification will be an asset.

Experience

• A minimum seven (7) years of relevant project/programme management experience in leading/coordinating project implementation or related areas with an advanced degree is required.
• Within relevant experience in coordinating complex environments, multiple and diverse stakeholder groups, generating coherency and collaboration, experience working in an international organization or internationally (working outside the country of origin) is required.

The following experiences are desirable, but not essential:

• Experience in just transition issue analysis or related development issues.
• Experience in administration, strategic planning and management, strategic liaison, donor or Partners coordination.
• Experience in a senior management or advisory role.
• Experience implementing strategic guidance on behalf of high-level officials.
• Experience working in developing countries.
• Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures.
• Experience in risk management for infrastructure implementation projects.
• Experience in just energy transition.
• Experience in the region of programme operation.
• Experience working in UN agencies and/or UNOPS.

Language

Fluency in English is essential.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: ICS 11 / IICA 3 / LICA-11
3. 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

The position is based in a family duty station.

Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.

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.