Regional Portfolio Manager

UNOPS has been selected, through a competitive bidding, as the Trust Fund Manager (TFM) of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) in its second phase 2016-2024, based in Geneva (hereinafter referred to as the “Fund”).

The Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) is a partnership that involves Governments of around 51 Least Developed Countries (LDCs), around twenty four (24) donor countries, and eight (8) AgenciesThe EIF is financed through a multilateral Trust Fund managed by a Trust Fund Manager. The UNOPS as the EIF Trust Fund Manager acts as a trustee, disburses financial resources allocated to approved projects, provides reporting on all financial aspects of the Trust Fund, and fulfils its Full Fiduciary Responsibility (FFR) in line with its TORs for the Second Phase of EIF as approved by the EIF Board. The Trust Fund Manager works closely with the Executive Secretariat (ES) of the EIF and is responsible to the EIF Board.

To perform its FFR, the TFM relies on its Regional Portfolio Managers based in Africa (Dakar and Nairobi) and in Asia (Bangkok).

Under the supervision of the TFM Executive Officer (EO) and in close coordination with the Global Pogram Adviser (GPA), the Regional Portfolio Manager is responsible, from the fiduciary/managerial/oversight perspective, for assessing the implementing entities, providing and facilitating capacity building, ensuring a proper financial, monitoring, supervising the implementation and closure of projects, funded by the EIF in the countries assigned to him or her. The responsibilities assigned to the Regional Portfolio Manager will be conducted in accordance with UNOPS policies, procedures and practices and will include:

• Review and support the conclusion of the agreements with Government institutions of the Least Developed Countries that are within his/her portfolio. 

• Review and support the conclusion of cooperation agreements with any of the EIF Partner Agencies if they intervene in the countries within his/her portfolio. 

• Ensure close coordination and cooperation with ES Coordinators relevant to his/her portfolio to ensure the optimum support to the beneficiary countries.

• Continue assessing the Fiduciary Maturity Assessement of the Main Implementing Entities.

• Encourage ownership of projects by the beneficiary countries.

• Advise on capacity building and training with the aim of building on and leveraging local human resources and skills.

• Monitor all aspects of project progress and implementation from fiduciary perspective.

• Undertake supervision, review and other periodic missions (as per the agreed upon plans) to assess the physical and financial progress of the projects as well as the adherence to fiduciary procedures agreed upon in the agreement with the country and reflect observations and recommendations in mission reports in line with the template available within EIF/TFM. 

• Review and report on the procurement of goods, services and civil works and recruitment of personnel or consultants undertaken by the project. 

• Liaise regularly with implementing partners, relevant government officials, local donor facilitator, relevant partner agencies involved and any other local actor concerned by the EIF funded projects.

• Examine the annual work plans and budgets to ensure that they are in line with the financing agreements and the objectives of the projects.

• Review audit, progress and financial reports to ensure that the project is implemented in accordance with the funding agreements and government’s established regulations.

• Assist the project for setting up the necessary administrative, financial and monitoring structures to ensure a smooth project start-up to effectively implement and close the projects’ activities.

• Lead the projects closure activities as per the UNOPS and the EIF requirements and within the timeline set out by the EIF Board.

• Manage and update the projects’ risks plans.

• Maintain regular contact with the implementing partner(s) of the project to ensure that implementation is in accordance with the budget as well as the applicable rules and procedures.

• Assist the project in addressing implementation constraints in terms of administrative and fiduciary issues in particular with respect to Projects closing up phase.

• Review for approval the application for disbursement of funds submitted by the projects is accompanied by the required documentation and that the provisions of the grant agreements are respected and executed.

• Ensure that the utilization of funds is in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.

• Investigate and advise on any concerns encountered in relation to the administration of funds allocated to the project.

• Facilitate knowledge sharing at the regional and sub-regional levels.

• Coordinate and organize training events in line with TFM’s responsibilities at the regional or sub-regional levels and in coordination with EIF Secretariat.

• Prepare mission plans on quarterly basis or as requested by EO.

• Coordinate mission plans with ES Coordinators such mission to promote Joint missions as much as possible.

• Prepare Supervision Mission TORs for review and clearance by the EO.

• Complete mission reports; no later than one month after completion of the supervision mission, for approval by the EO then ensure its uploading in the TFM Hub system.

• Assist, if so requested by the Executive Officer, in the preparation and completion of narrative reporting and Audits related to EIF/TFM. 

• Report in a timely manner on any potential conflict of interest, misuse of funds or potential corruption within the projects in his/her portfolio.

• Participate in the establishment and harmonization of assessment, supervision, monitoring, evaluation and reporting documents and methods and make use of these documents once they are in place and approved by EO.

• Ensure a permanent cooperation and coordination with the TFM office in Geneva, and through the TFM Office, with the EIF Executive Secretariat as required. 

• Manage the TFM office in the (sub) region including the human, technical and financial resources made available to the concerned office, its effectiveness and timeliness of work.

• Ensure that the Independence and Neutrality of the UN and the regulations, rules and procedures applicable to UNOPS operations are adhered to and implemented.

• Facilitate team work and a smooth circulation of information among all the staff involved in the TFM functions in other sub-regions and in Geneva. 

• Other duties as directed or as may be necessary to ensure the effective delivery of the EIF Trust Fund Manager's full fiduciary responsibilities.

• Advanced university degree, preferably in one or more of the following disciplines: international affairs, economics, business administration, social or political sciences, development studies or any other field relevant to international development assistance is required
• A bachelor's degree with a combination of two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted  in lieu of the master's degree

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in public sector management and development projects in international cooperation is required

• Significant international exposure to project design, formulation and management and demonstrated managerial performance in the West and Central African region. is required

• Proven ability to handle a complex, multi-dimensional portfolio, particularly in challenging and complex socio-political environments. Ability to handle politically sensitive issues and experience in dealing with governmental institutions is required

• Proven track record in monitoring, evaluation, including financial audtiting, and supervision of projects at country levels is required

• Experience in managing multi-donor and multi-agency programs is required

• Sound knowledge of relevant financial rules, contracting and procurement modalities and procedures, as well as UNOPS policies is desirable.

•  Knowledge of donors and resource mobilization is desirable

• Fluency in English and French  are  required
• Knowledge of other regional languages  is an asset

Contract type: Fixed-term Staff Contract
Contract level: ICS 11/ P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• Dakar, Senegal is a UN family Duty Station
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.