Project Management Support Specialist – Capacity Building

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background Information – Project Specific

UNOPS Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi, Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. The project will fall under the purview of UNOPS KEMC.

In 2018, the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) began the East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EATOC) Regional Program in response to the increased trafficking of Afghan-produced heroin trafficked through East and Southern Africa along the “Southern Route.” Initial funding focused on building the capacity of national-level counter narcotics units in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania to investigate and prosecute drug cases. Given that illicit goods are transported through the Western Indian Ocean, the EATOC program expanded its support to include programs to improve the interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of maritime crimes.

In 2021, INL EATOC funded a project with UNOPS, through which UNOPS provides needed advisory, procurement, and logistics support for the EATOC program. As part of this project, INL EATOC requested UNOPS provide support to enhance the project management capacity and strategic governance of its partner beneficiary, the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS). The KCGS is responsible for maritime law enforcement and safety in Kenyan waters. However, during its formative and interim phase, the KCGS faces challenges in developing its doctrine, internal policies and project management capabilities. This has led to difficulties in coordinating and integrating international partnerships, causing issues such as a lack of centralization in project management, the inability to sustain project outcomes, and a lack of strategic governance that is future looking.

In response to the request, UNOPS is seeking a qualified and experienced Project Management Support Specialist to embed within the KCGS to enhance its project management capacity and strategic governance. The specialist will be responsible for conducting a needs assessment, developing a capacity building plan, and implementing a project management plan to address the identified gaps.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will enhance the sustainable project management capacity within the KCGS, making the KCGS more efficient in planning, implementing agency institutional development projects, and achieving its operational goals. The duty station will be Mombasa, Kenya (Family duty station).

The incumbent will accomplish this by performing the following duties:

1. Needs Assessment and Gap Analysis:

• Conduct a needs assessment to identify the KCGS’s current project management capabilities and gaps.
• Analyze existing assessment reports, if available, and research capacity building needs and gaps.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, including key KCGS personnel, to understand strategic perspectives and capacity building needs.

2. Capacity Building Plan:

• Develop a capacity building plan, in cooperation with the KCGS, including an estimated budget and timeline, to address the KCGS’s identified needs and gaps.
• Assist in the formulation of maritime security policies and strategies in alignment with national and international frameworks

3. Project Management Plan:

• Develop a project management plan that outlines the necessary steps for implementing a project management framework within the KCGS that improves the success rates of projects within the organization.

4. Implementation and Support:

• Implement the capacity building plan and project management framework, providing ongoing support to the KCGS.
• Ensure timely delivery of all capacity building activities, with effective risk and issue management.

5. Monitoring and Governance:

• Regularly monitor and mainstream project outcomes into routine operations.
• Provide strategic governance over the project management function.
• Train and mentor internal staff (4 – 6) KCGS, ensuring that project management knowledge and skills are embedded within the organization for the long term.

6. Exercise any other required tasks related to providing technical advice to the Project Manager

Deliverables:

The specialist will be responsible for delivering the following:

1. A needs assessment report identifying the KCGS’s current project management capabilities, needs, and gaps.
2. A capacity building plan, including an estimated budget and timeline.
3. A project management plan outlining the steps for implementing a project management framework.
4. A project management implementation plan, with regular evaluation and monitoring.
5. A final report summarizing project findings and recommendations for capacity sustainability.
6. A small, sustained Project Management cell (Director’s Initiative Group) within the KCGS organogram, approved by KCGS leadership.
7. Development of the KCGS Service Doctrine.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration or other relevant field is required;
• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced university degree.

Experience:

• 2 years demonstrable working experience in training trainers is required
• 5 years of experience in project management, with an advantage given to international development sector experience is required
• Proficiency with various project management methodologies and tools is desirable
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills is desirable
• Demonstrable working background in maritime law enforcement desired.
• Experience in project management roles within a maritime service will be an added advantage.
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;
• Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office and G Suite is desirable

Certification:

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is desired

Language requirement:

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

Competencies

Strategic Perspective: 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.

Integrity & Inclusion: 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.

Leading Self & Others: 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.

Partnering: 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).

Results Orientation: 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.

Agility: 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.

Solution Focused: 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.

Effective Communication: 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: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA-2/ ICS10
Contract duration: Short-Term ICA – Maximum duration 6 months

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link*:*
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

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

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

• 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.