Head of Programme

Functional Responsibilities:

Summary of key results:

• Programme governance, implementation and monitoring
• Programme development and planning
• Manage programme resources
• Partnership networking and advocacy
• Knowledge management and innovation
• Programme governance, implementation and monitoring
• Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the Country Office Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
• Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client-oriented services.
• Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
• Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.
• Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
• Develop and implement the programme governance framework.
• Programme development and planning
• Support the Country Office Director in ensuring the financial sustainability of the programme and delivery of desired results, compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.
• Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the Country Office Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.
• Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the Country Office Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.
• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the Country Office Director.
• Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonisation of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.
• As the Gender Focal Point for the Country Office Director, ensure that the Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan is actioned and timely implemented, that the office has required gender mainstreaming capacity and knowledge, and that gender is mainstreamed into relevant projects, programs, and processes.
• Manage programme resources
• Plan and propose to the Country Office Director, required programme resources (human and financial).
• Submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and Country Office Director financial goals.
• Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN mandate and spirit.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys.
• Partnership, networking and advocacy
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
• Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
• Collaborate with the Partnerships Manager to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.
• Contribute to current and future growth plans for the Country Office Director, ensuring alignment with the UNOP Strategic Plan.
• Support Communication function within SOCO to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.
• At the request of the Country Office Director participate and/or represent the Country Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
• Knowledge management and innovation
• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
• Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environment.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organisation of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.

Impact of ResultsThe effective and successful performance by the Head of Programme (HoP) directly impacts on achievement of programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the 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:

• A Master’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Public Administration, Social Science or other relevant related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Public Administration, Social Science or other relevant related field in combination with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance education requirements outlined above.

Certification:

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner an asset, but required completion within the first one year of onboarding.
• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of cumulative experience in Project Management, including managing diverse portfolios including Engineering, or Humanitarian or Development Projects is required;
• Strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, executive management and/or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.
• At least three (3) years progressive leadership experience including supervising teams and managing budgets is required.
• Experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Experience in fragile and/or complex operational environments is desired.
• Civil/Infrastructure Engineering background is highly desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Think big. Meet challenges head-on. Help people build better lives.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce is made up of people from varied nationalities, cultures and races. They speak a range of languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!

Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.