Senior Portfolio Manager

The position of the Senior portfolio manager is under the Development and Special Initiatives (DSI) portfolio, which supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. For example, within the United Nations Development Programme, the DSI supports the Global Program on Nature for Development.

The DSI also supports the United Nations Secretariat, UNWOMEN as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations in the delivery of project management, implementation, and administration services.

Reporting to the Manager, SDC, the Senior portfolio manager is responsible for the management of a complex and diverse portfolio that includes programs in gender, peacebuilding, political affairs, environmental, technology, etc.  S/he contributes positively towards own portfolio unit cost and SDC multiplier. S/he coordinates and supervises the activities of a team of project managers, associate project managers and support assistants under the DSI portfolio.

The Senior portfolio manager works closely with the DSI partners programme managers, project coordinators, and chief technical advisers and provides solid recommendations for implementation of program/project activities in a proactive manner.

Portfolio Management to Ensure Delivery of the Portfolio Targets:

• In consultation with the Manager, SDC, develops and executes the DSI business strategy.
• Advises clients and gives inputs in programme design works with internal practice leader as appropriate.
• Collaborates closely with the DSI team and clients; ensures program/project activities are completed successfully and meeting the quality metrics agreed with the partner.
• Identifies obstacles to planned program/project activities, designs, and implements solutions and provides client satisfaction with the course of action.
• Undertakes monitoring missions to evaluate the progress of partners programs supported to identify problems and take appropriate and timely actions to meet service level agreement with the client.
• Consults with the Resident Coordinators' Office in countries under his/her responsibility and with UN client institutions, field programme managers and staff and partners involved in the delivery of projects and programmes.

Operations Management of DSI to Increase Partner Satisfaction and Loyalty to UNOPS:

• Management of the DSI team.
• Responsible for management of DSI business activities, improving overall productivity, and optimum utilization of resources.
• Responsible to provide inputs to annual work plans for the portfolio.
• Acts as owner of the DSI budget, including re-allocations in consultation with the Manager SDC.
• Acts as Certifying Officer for the financial transaction under assigned portfolio while ensuring full compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations.
• Liaises with the finance unit to ensure timely reports are submitted and specialized reports are prepared according to client or donor specifications.
• Reviews and approves awards for contracts under the procurement process within the delegated authority;
• Clears request for award for review of the appropriate procurement committee within the delegated authority;
• Provides oversight in the administration and monitoring of contracts, agreements, and payments.
• Designates personnel to serve in committees on behalf of DSI to comply with UNOPS procurement, engagement acquisition, human resources, FRR, etc.
• Institutes standard operating procedures to ensure consistency in quality of delivery of services.

Business Acquisition and Growth:

• Identifies potential clients (i.e., governments, country offices, and international funding institutions) and business partners to pursue new business opportunities in line with Regional Strategic Direction;
• Markets and promotes UNOPS services by building a network of key business partners and clients keeping abreast of market (and social, economic, political) trends in the area. Demonstrates application of innovation to business development;
• Participates in negotiating cost-effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services with prospective clients and partners;
• Prepares proposals for potential business opportunities in line with Strategic Direction of the Region;
• Pursues, leads and follows up with potential partners to expand client base of DSI and increase the sustainability of the work performed by DSI while balancing with UNOPS Strategic Goals and Objectives.

Contribution to UNOPS Strategic Goals, Knowledge Management and Technical Support:

• Contributes to UNOPS capacity building in effective service delivery by focusing on learning, coaching and mentoring DSI team members, field staff and internal partners;
• Contributes to the development of tools and platform for data and content management and ensure information and knowledge sharing.
• Promotes Capacity Development of team members; Liaise with other units /practice areas to ensure coordination as required.

Education 

• Advance Degree in Business Administration, Management, Social Science, Political Science or another field related to the UN Development work; 
• First degree plus relevant professional experience may substitute for advanced degree.

Work Experience

• 7 years of relevant experience working nationally or internationally in managing a business unit/organization with responsibility and accountability for meeting the unit' s business growth, revenue and net income targets
• 2 years experience demonstrating strategy development and execution that resulted in growing targeted market, introducing new product and services, and improving value proposition is requiered
• 2 years of relevant experience in operations management of a service-delivery oriented business unit/organization at the national or international level is desirable.
• 3 years experience in client management required.
• 3 years experience in providing project management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development programs/projects is desirable.
• Knowledge of UNOPS or UN Rules governing Procurement, Human Resources and Finance desirable

• fluency in English required
• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

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.