Background Information – Job-specific

 

About the Surge Mechanism

At UNOPS, the Surge Mechanism is the quick mobilization and deployment of highly experienced personnel and specialized experts to reinforce an office’s capacity during periods of immediate needs. Surge is characterized by its urgency and short-duration commitment in high-risk situations. In collaboration with other business units, the Surge Team, managed by the Surge Coordinator, is leading the growth of the Surge Mechanism at UNOPS.

Today, the Surge Mechanism is focused on providing 4 areas of support:

 

Functional Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).
• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers, including accepting goods, services or works delivered.
• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly and manage changes, acceptance and delivery of work packages.
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

2. Technical Advisory

• Provide substantive advice to Programme Managers/Project Managers/Team Managers in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects and programmes throughout their life cycle.
• Advise on and support the development of project/programme recovery, including work plans and implementation guidance.
• Advise key stakeholders such as Head of Programme, Programme Managers, Project Managers and Heads of PMO on how to embed best practices of project and programme governance, risk management, project and programme management into the projects.
• Identify impending or anticipated risks that may affect UNOPS programme/project implementation and develop mitigation strategies to ensure the maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Establish solid working relationships with HQ, project and field office personnel including Project Board and key stakeholders.
• Support with the formulation of project communications plans.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications.
• Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

4. Quality Assurance

• Support project teams providing substantive inputs and ensuring the quality of all projects’ plans including: Quality Plans, Project Implementation Plan, Health, Safety Social and Environment (HSSE) Plans, Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion Plans and any other relevant plans.
• Provide technical advice on quality assurance frameworks, including quality assurance improvement plans.
• Provide expert input for quarterly reviews of project documents and deliverables as well as internal quarterly assurance processes.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

5. Partnerships, Programme Development and Coordination

• Understand the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and UNOPS Strategic Plan
• Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, Government, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners.
• Coordinate the development/drafting of concept notes, project proposals, and legal agreements, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and partner requirements/templates, and presenting them in a collaborative and professional manner.
• Analyse opportunities and risks during development, providing advice to management within the context and framework of proposed solutions.
• Support negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries, facilitating the finalisation of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.
• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).
• Facilitate the review and approval of new projects by ensuring the use of UNOPS updated policies and procedures and liaising with headquarters for requesting clarifications and permissions.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
• Identify potential opportunities for UNOPS involvement.

9. Personnel Management

• Lead and motivate the project management team.
• Select, recruit and train personnel as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles
• Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management.
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality in the workplace.
• Champion and communicate the project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders.
• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity
• Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans.
• Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff.
• Look for ways to build the capacity of local counterparts.

Excellence
Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• For infrastructure project managers: An Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent such as MEng, MSc) or professional certification preferably in Civil Engineering (CEng, PE, P. Eng.), Architecture, Construction Management or relevant discipline is required; or
• For non infrastructure project managers: A Master’s Degree preferably in Project Management, Business Administration or related field (e.g. International Relations).
• A Bachelor degree combined with 2 years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in functions related to Project and Programme Management and Operations support;
• Proven technical leadership and expertise in project and programme management is
• required;
• Within these 5 years, a minimum 2 years managing projects in the international development context is required;

Desirable Experience:

• Prior experience in UNOPS, any other UN Agency and/or international organizations.
• Current or prior experience as a UNOPS project manager given the nature of the surge capacity role.
• Experience in the Global South and/or conflict/post-conflict environments.

Languages:

• Fluency in English is required.
• Proficiency in additional official UN languages such as French or Spanish is highly desirable.

Travel:

The person in this position will be required to travel to different locations around the world, including hardship locations. Missions abroad may last for several weeks/up to a maximum of 3 months. Availability to travel is therefore a prerequisite for this position, even though some of the missions may be conducted remotely.

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: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA-2
• 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

UN City in Copenhagen – short presentation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF25xfMW0KQ

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.

 

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.