Programme Development and Technical Advisor

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. 

Democratic Republic of Congo

Reporting directly to the Country Director, and working closely with the Head of Programme and Partnership Development Unit Manager, the Programme Development & Technical Advisor will have overall responsibility for developing market intelligence, conducting market research, analyses and surveys for program development activities and provide technical advice on new and potential projects throughout Central Africa in countries overseen by UNOPS/CDOH.

The Programme Development & Technical Advisor is a seasoned leader, with extensive experience in program management and development particularly in infrastructure development/construction and procurement projects, and in conducting market research, analyses and surveys, and preparation and presentation of findings reports.

Specifically, the Programme Development & Technical Advisor will be responsible for providing programme development support and technical advice, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:

Programme Development

Support the Partnership Development Unit and the Program Office in two important areas:

 1) Market Research and Survey and

 2) Business Development Support.

Complete the elaboration of the Market Survey 2015 - 2016 and create Fact Sheets/Market Studies for the hubs countries for strategic analysis.

Develop with the Partnership Development Unit the structure and mechanism for ongoing research and opportunity identification.

Market Research & Survey Function & Responsibilities

• Conduct Desk Review and Preparation for Survey Undertakings: preliminary research via internet and written documents on the development markets of countries under CDOH to help initialize global approach and calendar for market surveys and analyses. Analyses and reporting of findings. Definition of goals and methods, review of instruments for data collection including questionnaires and develop plans and calendar for market survey undertaking. Develop contact lists, partner/donors information for at least three countries within the hub.
• Conduct Market Surveys & Analyses: Development of detailed market analysis report following provided template A;  Detailed market analysis with RDC and hub countries identifying the market need, market size and competition as it pertains to UNOPS; this entails the undertaking of fact-finding missions to at least 3 Central African countries, in identifying new market opportunities for UNOPS-CDOH in those countries. 

• Analyze market survey findings, and translate results into recommendations on strategic portfolio development for CDOH – Hub countries covered;
• Analyze market survey findings and translate results into recommendations on market intelligence/surveillance requirements of the Partnership Development Unit so to assist with the monitoring of business development opportunities for CDOH as the service provider of choice in DRC and the Central African Region;

Business Development Support Functions

• Support the BD function by working with CDOH Partnership Development Team to identify and develop potential new business and customer opportunities and on engagement acquisition with targeted potential partners – bilateral and multilaterals as well as international financial institutions such as Islamic Development Bank and African Development Bank;
• In conjunction with the Partnership Development unit, support business development opportunities in preparing and delivering appropriate proposals and technical specifications and in presenting and discussing with potential partners;
• Identify potential new business and customer opportunities in countries in which Market Surveys are undertaken and business intelligence is developed; 
• Report to Partnership Development Unit Manager of potential relationship development relationships with Donors, Government, sister UN agencies and clients in hub countries covered.

Technical Advisory Functions

• Review and/or preparation of new project technical documents for LEADs development to include infrastructural/construction development methodologies and approaches, scope of works, BoQ’s, work plans and resource needs;
• Contribute to the review of analytical notes on project execution of new infrastructure projects;
• Contribute to the preparations of activities planning for new projects or in preparation of proposals  for LEADs on the technical aspects;
• Contribute to discussion in LEADs reviews on infrastructure projects and support the Partnership Development Unit in answering technical questions on project LEADs or from partners;
• Contribute to Programme team in maintaining technical standards and best practices in infrastructure projects formulation and execution;

Communication Functions

• Actively participate in the CDOH Programme & Partnership Development Unit
• Work in a collaborative manner with the CDOH Director and Partnership Development Unit Manager on strategic plan and calendar development for MS as well as on technical advisory works issues and those completed;
• Report to the Director with regards Programme development/MS, Hub missions and partnership development related issues of CDOH’s business plan;

• Strong organization skills, with strong knowledge of UNOPS product/service offerings, operations and systems;
• Excellent oral, written, and structured presentation skills in English and French with the ability to address senior management, business and technical audiences;
• Must have excellent written and analytical skills including presentation generation and delivery as well as financial and other analysis techniques;
• Strong project formulation skills a must;
• Must have the ability to multi-task and prioritize work schedules;
• This position requires the demonstrated ability to conduct market surveys in Africa and developing partner relationships;
• Proven experience in providing technical advice and support to Programme teams on projects of road and bridge construction as well as facilities/building construction with the use of appropriate technologies for the Central African setting;
• Ability to conduct research with the focus and shape of the UNOPS business model
• Ability to support the development of successful partnership with donors, government, staff and others;
• Ability to overcome challenges and work in difficult work environments/conditions.

• Advanced University Degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture, International relations, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, Business/Publics Administration or a relevant field;
• A Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture, International relations, Political Sciences, Development Studies, Economics, Project Management, Business/Publics Administration or a relevant field may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced degree.

• A minimum 7 years of relevant experience in successfully supporting and advising projects in developing country environments;
• Experience liaising with donors, government officials, communities and other stakeholders;
• Experience with review and/or preparation of new project technical documents for LEADs development to include infrastructural/construction;

• Experience UN/UNOPS in construction and familiarity with infrastructure programmes and the specific challenges to road construction in DRC are desirable

PRINCE2 certification, at least at Foundation Level, or Project Management Professional (PMP) methodologies is desirable.

• 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.