Programme Management Specialist (Facilitator) - Retainer

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  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. 

New York Portfolio Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

UNOPS has signed an agreement with the United Nations Office for Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) to implement the project activities for the Global Programme on Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE). The United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT) was established by the General Assembly in June 2017. The Office has five main functions: (a) provide leadership on the General Assembly counter-terrorism mandate across the United Nations System; (b) enhance coordination and coherence across the 38 Counter- Terrorism Implementation Task Force entities to ensure the balanced implementation of the four pillars of the Strategy; (c) strengthen the delivery of United Nations counter-terrorism capacity-building assistance to Member States; (d) improve visibility, advocacy and resource mobilization for United Nations counter- terrorism efforts; and ensure that due priority is given to counter-terrorism across the United Nations System and that the important work on preventing violent extremism is firmly rooted in the Strategy. The United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) is part of UNOCT and promotes the delivery of United Nations capacity building assistance to Member States. 

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for or in the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT). The position supports the work of the UNOCT/UNCCT Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme (YEEP). The position is directed to the national implementation of the YEEP in one country and regional implementation of YEEP Africa. This YEEP implementation will start on 1 June 2024 and end 30 November 2024. This role requires knowledge of youth peacebuilding and PCVE context, strong non-formal training facilitation skills and thorough understanding of policy making and advocacy with key stakeholders working on efforts to prevent and counter violent extremism in the country. The incumbent of this position will be personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Programme Management Specialist will provide context-specific expertise, co-design and facilitate the capacity building component for the programme beneficiaries and contribute to planning and implementation of online and in-person activities as follows: 

Provide context-specific expertise:

• Manage the desk-based research on Youth and PCVE in the Region, identifying issues, gaps, opportunities and good practices. 
• Coordinate the national stakeholder mapping, research and needs assessment, identifying issues, gaps, opportunities and good practices.
• Ensure that programme modules and approach are appropriate to the context, in terms of cultural, youth and gender sensitivities to ensure Do No Harm;
• Assist in identifying suitable psychosocial referral pathways for young people within the region.

Contribute to the design and facilitation of capacity building for the programme beneficiaries: 

• Lead the development and implementation of context-specific sessions (in-person and online) of this multi-phased initiative for young people on PCVE;
• Provide tailored advice and mentoring to the young people over the course of the programme on content, context, peer dialogue implementation and developing policy recommendations. 

Contribute to planning and implementation of the National and Regional Policy Dialogue and events for YEEP Africa: 

• Contribute to planning and implementation of the National and Regional YEEPs Policy Dialogue events and in particular mapping relevant national stakeholders (policy makers, decision makers, existing networks, CSOs, enterprises etc.). 
• Co-facilitate expert sessions during the Policy Dialogue events.
• Provide advice and consultation to ensure that the events are culture-, gender- and youth-sensitive. 

Contribute to regular monitoring and reporting of YEEP Africa:

• Participate in regular team meetings to discuss implementation and provide expertise on potential challenges that might arise;
• Support development of various reports, as required.  

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Outputs are delivered on time; their quality and impact are considered satisfactory by the Programme Lead.
• Engagement is professional, team oriented and positive.
• The Programme Management Specialist demonstrates the core values of the UN (Professionalism, Integrity and Respect for Diversity) and the core competencies described below in the discharge of their duties.  

• Advanced university degree preferably in international affairs/development, social science, political science or relevant discipline is required.
• Bachelor’s degree with an additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Work Experience 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in developing and conducting capacity building towards youth in PCVE, peacebuilding, or relevant fields is required. 
• Knowledge and experience in policy analysis and development in the local context is desirable. 
• Experience in coordinating events and building relationships with relevant stakeholders active in the country is desirable. 
• Experience in project management and evaluating and reporting, is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are desirable.

Language

• Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required. 

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Retainer modality
Contract level:  LICA-10
Contract duration: Until 31 December 2024. The contract for this position is set for a duration Until 31 December 2024, with termination upon its conclusion. Any need for services beyond this initial period will be communicated to the incumbent accordingly.
Duty station: Home based, with deployments to the field

• 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 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• 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.