Director (OH/OC) Roster

At the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), we strive for excellence! We work in challenging environments around the world and we best serve people in need by being able to fill business critical roles very quickly.

In order to strengthen our capacity to meet our future needs for new colleagues, UNOPS has an ambitious and proactive recruitment approach: the Rosters.  For business critical roles, we establish rosters which are pools of assessed candidates who can be recruited  in an efficient manner once a vacancy arises. Roster members will be considered first for external vacancies. As a member you will remain on the roster for a duration of up to 3 years.

UNOPS is looking for candidates who are internationally mobile and who could accept a job offer from us within the next 12 to 18 months.

Further information about UNOPS and its international activities can be found here  and information about Rosters can be found here.

This Roster is part of UNOPS’ Talent Management initiative to further increase diversity among business critical roles.

Note to all applicants:

• Candidates with field experience will be given special consideration, work experience in "non-family" and hardship duty stations being an asset;
• Candidates selected to be part of the roster  are expected to be reasonably mobile.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

 Please ensure you update your  UNOPS Jobs user profile  with your most recent work experience.

Background on Director (OH/OC) Role

UNOPS Operational Hubs (OH) and Operations Centres (OC) are responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.  There are currently 15 of these Operational Hubs/Operations Centres located in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The Director (OH/OC) represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in the country of his/her responsibilities. The Regional Director provides general direction and guidance for the role.  The Director will oversee all project management and support services in the Operational Hub/Operations Centres including managing all human resource and delivering timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

The classification of a Director (OH/OC) role at UNOPS is influenced by a number of factors including the portfolio profile, breadth of geographic coverage, complexity of political and operating environment, and other strategic considerations.  D1 level Director roles are therefore likely to be in large portfolios, affecting the delivery of multiple, integrated or diverse crucial programmes in a highly complex environment.  The incumbent would require a high degree of political astuteness and the ability to establish and maintain broad strategic networks and partnerships with UN agencies and other international partners.

Below are some of the functionalities:

1. Operational Hub/Operations Centre leadership
2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
3. Service delivery and quality assurance
4. Representation and inter-agency coordination
5. Knowledge management and innovation

• Develop the Operational Hub/Operations Centre strategy, establish priorities and supervise the implementation of programmes and projects, managing the strategic and operational risks associated with the Operational Hub/Operations Centre’s portfolio of engagements. 
• In collaboration with the team and partners, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services. 
• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.
• Plan and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework. 
• Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the Operational Hub/Operations Centre management team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. 
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible Operational Hub/Operations Centre workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity. 
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents, assets, property and information within the respective area of responsibility.  
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP)within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual (If most senior UNOPS person in country).

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
• Actively represent UNOPS’ role and participation in UN common engagement tools.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme management and business development in the geographical area.

• Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Operational Hub programme(s) according to partner expectations, approved budgets and full cost recovery. 
• Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of Operational Hub programme(s), including compliance with financial report submissions.
• Provide advice to the Regional Director and peers on opportunities to further enhance UNOPS’ sustainable contribution to the achievement of results in the geographical area.
• Establish internal performance and quality control systems for the Operational Hub, including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.
• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of Operational Hub with organizational/regional strategy and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability, and ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

• Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization, influence policy discussion and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.
• Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT), and supports the UNCT programming and advocacy activities.
• Participate actively and effectively in UNCT meetings, and contributes to the formulation and implementation of United Nations Development Assistance Framework/One Programme, Integrated Strategic Framework, and Delivering as One within the country.
• Is accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT, makes substantial contribution to UNCT’s work, and assumes a leadership role as relates to UNOPS’ mandate.
• Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness, including playing an active role in the Operations Management Teams (OMTs) and other senior management group of the country team.
• Keep UN Resident Coordinator abreast of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication, including a formal regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF.

• Lead the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices approaches in the delivery of project services.
• Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
• Establish priorities, in consultation with the Regional Director, for targeted investments in growth and innovation and as a member of the UNOPS global management team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance. 
• Share knowledge with peers in other regional/country teams and corporate practice groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.

The incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as required.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organization.   
• At least 5 years of senior leadership experience including supervising teams and managing budgets, including at least 3 years in a developing country. 
• Experience in hardship or post conflict environments is desirable.
• Experience in UN, NGO and/or International Development Sector is highly desired

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

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.  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.  With personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.