Senior Project Manager - Health Programs

Contract

This is a ICS-12 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Civil Service. It usually requires 10 years of experience, depending on education. More about ICS-12 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.

Project Information: As part of its partnership with different health organizations, UNOPS may be called upon to provide management, implementation and monitoring services for health programmes, including immunisation programmes across Asia, Africa, as well as Europe and Central Asia. As part of such roles, UNOPS will require a pool of technical leads to be drawn upon and deployed across these regions to undergo a broad scope of work and act as an extension of its partners’ country teams. Teams to be deployed will typically consist of Public Health and M&E, Finance and Supply Chain Specialists as well as a Senior Project Manager reporting to the relevant UNOPS Country or Multi-country Office Director.

Local Context: The need for and scope of work will vary depending on each country situation, as will the timeframe. Work will be conducted in countries where UNOPS’ in-country capacity complements its partners’ needs. The work shall predominantly be performed in-country, liaising closely with the agreed domestic institutions and stakeholders. Duty stations may include both family or non-family duty stations, and travel to regional locations may be required depending on country context and any national and/or international travel restrictions in place related to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Functional Responsibilities

The Senior Project Manager will have overall responsibility of the planning, administration, and high level engagement of the program provided to partners, including, but not limited to:

1. Program management and oversight
2. Stakeholder engagement
3. Risk management and reporting
4. Quality assurance
5. Personnel management

Please note that the key functions may vary depending on the specific duty station.

1. Program management and oversight - Oversee, plan and administer the service provided to partners in accordance with UNOPS’ standards on project management, risk management and monitoring - Tailor the program to the specific country context, taking into account the partner’s risk assessment, materiality considerations and the challenges related to the specific programme - Conduct desk reviews of key reference documents, on-site inspections and interviews of relevant stakeholders - Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary - Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with UNOPS and the partner’s requirements

2. Stakeholder engagement - Act as a single point of contact with key stakeholders and partner staff, as required by the partner. External stakeholders may include but are not limited to: the Ministry of Health, the National Regulatory Authority, the Immunization Programme, National Pharmacovigilance centres, and health care workers. - Identify and engage with the relevant stakeholders, in order to: i) understand the country’s health plans and risk mitigation activities, data systems and governance; ii) identify and verify that risks are properly mitigated; iii) ensure that reporting of any risks or adverse events is adequately conducted

3. Risk management and reporting - Develop and implement robust systems for identification of risks and and reporting - Proactively identify and manage any potential risks including fraud, diversion or theft, in collaboration with the team’s technical experts - Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting

4. Quality assurance - Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables - Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.) - Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements

5. Personnel management - Supervise and closely monitor the work of the team - Guide, troubleshoot and advise the team on actions to be taken - Ensure timely and quality inputs by each technical expert, in compliance with the established procedures and the partner’s requirements - Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

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: - Advanced university degree in Public Health, Finance/Accounting, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Science, or other relevant disciplines is required.

Experience: Required Experience: - A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in managing and/or monitoring health programs is required. - A minimum of 5 years of experience in high level engagement with MoH officials required.

Desired Experience:

• Proven ability to collaborate with and oversee diverse teams.
• Experience managing and/or monitoring vaccination programs is preferred.

Language Requirements: - Fluency in English is required. - Working knowledge of specific local country language, if applicable, is desired.

Contract type, level and duration

Type of Contract: Roster selection process, whose main objective is to prequalify candidates for different projects in different countries. Candidates who have a successful selection process will be on the roster for a period of 36 months and may be contacted as needed by the projects.

The contracting modality will be defined according to the needs of the projects and specific assignments. Here are the contracting modalities that can be used:

Contract for retention of services (retainer): in this type of contract an estimated number of days to work during the period is established. The supervisor will call the contractor to work only the days that are necessary and will be paid only for the days actually worked. By Product (Lumpsum): This type of contract indicates that a defined product or products must be delivered within a specific time frame. Payment for these services will be made as a full payment, upon completion and delivery of the product (s) and with the acceptance and approval of the product (s) by UNOPS.

Regular / Monthly Contract: This contract is established in the form of a regular monthly Contract, that is, a continuous provision of services is required during the contract period, making the payments associated with the contract at the end of each calendar month.

Homebased contract: in this type of contract, the contractor will work mainly from her place of residence, and she will only be required to travel to the place where the project is developed occasionally. The type of contract will be indicated at the time of sending the formal offer to the selected candidates.

Destination: Multiple Duty Stations across the globe.

For more details about the Individual Contractor Agreement modality, please visit the following link.

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.

Background Information - UNOPS

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

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

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.