Head of Programme

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. 

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices in the region, providing programmatic oversight of Global and Country specific Portfolios, Clusters and Operations Centers including hosting services, fund management, management advisory services and implementing projects. ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business unites and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in Operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development
• Position UNOPS in Balkan sub region,  Eastern Europe, Caucuses and Central Asia as per ECR 2016 Business Development Strategy
• Strengthen means of implementation of ECR Global and Regional programmes  with revitalized partnerships in Infrastructure, Procurement and Project Management

UNOPS has been present in the Republic of Serbia since 2000. The projects it implemented, primarily funded by the European Union (EU), Government of Switzerland and Norway, contributed to the efforts of the Government of Serbia to conduct demanding socio-economic reforms and in this way to facilitate European integrations. UNOPS has five fully equipped project offices in Serbia: two in Belgrade, one in Niš, one in Vranje and one in Novi Pazar. UNOPS’ key partners are the Government of the Republic of Serbia and its line ministries and institutions, cities and municipalities, regional development agencies, civil society organisations.

In general all the activities RSOC is currently involved in and has potentials for further business development in Serbia can be categorised as follows:

• Local economic development
• Universal primary education
• Improved health and social care
• Gender equality and empowerment of women
• Enhanced national and local capacity
• Environmental sustainability
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Response.

1.      Programme governance, implementation and monitoring

Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the RSOC Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client oriented services.
Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization’s standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.
Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
Develop and implement the programme governance framework.

2.      Partnership, networking and advocacy

Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
Develop an Integrated UNOPS RSOC Business Development Strategy and scan and map business development opportunities using various business intelligence (facilitate assessment of client needs, partner survey analysis, etc.)  
Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
Collaborate with the Business Development advisor and relevant BD personnel to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.
Contribute to current and future growth plans for the RSOC, ensuring alignment with the UNOP Strategic Plan.
Support RSOC Communication Specialists to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.
At the request of the RSOC Director participate and/or represent the RSOC in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
Ensure coordination with UN agencies, and lead active participation in UNDAF and collaboration with UN RC system

3.      Programme development and planning

Support the RSOC Director to ensure the financial sustainability of the programme and delivery of desired results, ensuring compliance with organizational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.
Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the RSOC Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.
Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the RSOC Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on ECR/Serbia priorities, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.
Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the RSOC Director.
Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonisation of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.

4.      Manage programme resources

Plan and propose to the RSOC Director, required programme resources (human and financial).
Submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and RSOC financial goals.
Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN mandate and spirit.
Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.
Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encouraging the formation of diverse teams in term of gender and geography.
Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys. 

5.      Knowledge management and innovation

Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environment.
Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.
Impact of Results 

The effective and successful performance by the Head of Programme directly impacts on achievement of programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner an asset, but required completion within first 6 months of onboarding.
• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) an asset.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in managing projects, programmes, partnerships and business development that combines strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, management advisory services, fund management, executive management and/or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization.
• Experience in business development and partnership is highly desirable.
• Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Previous experience from the region is an asset.
• Experience working with EU funded projects is required.
• Experience working with key stakeholder coordination, donor relationships management and business development is required. 

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

• 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.
• 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.