Programme Management Specialist (Programme Officer), P3

Background Information – PSC

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

Background Information – Job-specific

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) South Sudan

The Mine Action Office in South Sudan is based in Juba and it supports the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as well as the national demining authorities in coordinating Mine Action activities in South Sudan.

The program has been coordinating and providing Quality Assurance (QA) of all humanitarian mine action activities throughout South Sudan since 2004. UNMAS South Sudan’s’ current operations focus on hazardous area surveys, landmine and ERW clearance and destruction, route verification and clearance, emergency mitigation measures for improperly stored ammunition, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education for UN personnel, humanitarian partners and vulnerable groups, entry point control using Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) and data management.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of key results:

1. Project implementation planning
2. Project implementation delivery
3. Project Unit leadership and management
4. Stakeholder management
5. Knowledge management and innovation

Functions / Key Results

1. Support the UNMAS Chief of Mine Action Programme (CMAP) with programme development, planning and coordination
2. On behalf of the CMAP development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities
3. On behalf of the CMAP, support stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration
4. Project management
5. Knowledge management and document management
6. People management

1. Programme development planning and coordination

• Under the CMAP’s leadership, coordinate the development and articulation of the Programme Strategy (PS) in line with relevant UN and government and/or national or regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals.
• Support the Head of Project Unit to ensure PS and related work plans are accurately budgeted and resourced.
• Support the management team to translate the Strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.

2. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities

• Monitor humanitarian and development, inform CMAP of trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.
• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in project delivery as relevant.
• On behalf of CMAP, coordinate preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
• Draft and/or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

3. Programme management support

• Analyze funding agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with HQ.
• In collaboration with relevant personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.
• Provide review/input to scopes of work for procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review implementing partner reports to ensure requirements are being met.
• Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, and headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding agreements.
• Prepare, and provide editing support for, high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
• Coordinate communications between the Country Programme office and the headquarters Programme, Portfolio Management, and Risk, Quality and Partnership teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.

4. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

• Support the CMAP to establish and build relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• On behalf of the CMAP, participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Coordinate, participate in, or contribute to the Mine Action Area of Responsibility/Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, where relevant, including the formulation of the mine action components for the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Response Plan Response plan, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
• Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with the UNMAS Geneva office.
• On behalf of the CMAP support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximize communication impact and outreach and build awareness of the Country Programme.
• Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.
• Support CMAP preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.

5. Knowledge management and document management and innovation

• Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
• Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme and project development and implementation.
• Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance.
• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes.

6. People management (if applicable)

• Perform the programme team manager role, unless appointed to another person(s).
• Ensure the effective planning, recruitment and development of a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Lead and motivate the programme team.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff).
• Act as HPU in the absence of more senior management.
• Carry out any other related duties as needed.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

* QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of five years of relevant experience OR
• A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of seven years of relevant experience is required.

Experience, knowledge and skills:

• Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required (speaking, reading, and writing).
• Fluency in other UN official languages is desirable.