Programme Manager - THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE APPLIED TO THIS VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY -

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for ourlife-saving, peace building, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”
-Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions,governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

UNOPS employs more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster (MAC) within the Global Partner Services Office (GPSO) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster was established in 1997. Based in New York, it has helped partners to significantly improve the lives of people in more than 30 countries across the world. The UNOPS Mine Action Cluster supports Mine Action efforts in both emergency and post conflict settings. It delivers fast procurement, recruitment and management services to facilitate humanitarian aid and launch emergency mine clearance. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Chief who has the overall authorityand accountability for the performance of the Mine Action Cluster on behalf of its clients.

The Programme Manager is responsible for the day to day management of the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) funded activities within the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA). The Programme Manager provides services to donors, and the partners and beneficiaries of the MAPA.

The Programme Manager provides leadership on policy, technical matters, institutional development and capacity development, as determined by the UN Mine Action Strategy.

This position represents the UN and more broadly MAPA, and is the focal point for the promotion of mine action in Afghanistan nationally and internationally.

• Coordinate and advise the Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan stakeholders on mine action and ERW related issues, including project activities and progress, and any deviation from intended plans.
• Build relationships with MAPA institutions, respective governmental authorities, donors, and international partners including UN agencies engaged in addressing the issue of mine action and its impact on the people of Afghanistan.

Expected Result

• All stakeholders are regularly informed of the status of Mine Action in Afghanistan on a timely basis.

Capacity Development

• Actively support and assist the Mine Action Coordination Centre of Afghanistan (MACCA), Department of Mine Clearance (DMC), and other stakeholders to develop and implement the plan for transition, in order to transfer the management of mine action to full national ownership.

Expected Result

• The transition of management to national ownership is implemented in accordance with the agreed transition plan.

Resource Mobilisation

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of a resource mobilization strategy targeting in-country funding opportunities: a strategy that includes timely and appropriate acknowledgement at both national and international levels of current and past donors contributions and their impact.
• Ensures the responsible management of financial resources.
• Plans, monitors and utilizes financial resources proactively and conservatively to achieve stated objectives and prioirities.

Expected Result

• Funding opportunities within Afghanistan are optimized through an active strategy to pursue opportunities, supported by a timely recognition of current and past donor contributions.

Project Management, Delivery and Performance of UNMAS funded activities

• Offer effective leadership and management to the UNMAS project office, comprising human resources, finance, security and operational components.
• Exercise delegated human resources management authoritiy in aligment with General Assembly mandates and priorities, consistent with policies, and in an efficient and effective manner to enable achieving programmatic objectives.
• Ensures end-of-cycle performance evaluations are completed in accordance with established timelines.

Expected Result

• The UNMAS budget/s are delivered within spending deadlines and in accordance with UN Rules and Regulations.

Strategic Development and Advocacy

• Advocate to encourage the government of Afghanistan and other relevant stakeholders to address the issues of mine action, and to do so in accordance with recognized international standards, and in acknowledgement of the relevant international treaties.

Expected Result

• The strategic thinking of the Afghan government and international stakeholders is aligned to the relevant international mine action treaties, and achievement of obligations made under these treaties.

Impact of Results

• The country of Afghanistan remains on target to achieve the status of ‘’mine-free’’ by 2023 in accordance with its commitments under the international mine action treaty, and its national mine action plans.

Leadership: Proven supervisory ability and/or technical leadership. Ability to maintain effective working relations both as a team and team leader.

Teamwork Skills: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Organizing and Quality Orientation: Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.

Communications: Strong spoken and written communication skills.

Decision Making: Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.

Creativity and Innovation: Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management and coordination issues.

Ability to Learn: Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.

Lives and breathes UNOPS values: Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments.

Service to others: As the project is representative of the United Nations it should be firmly rooted in the principle of service to others. This should be considered carefully in the development of project plans.

Accountability for results and use of resources: the project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue to a supervisor.

Understand and respect national ownership and capacity: Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness, look for ways to mainstream them into project plans, look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

PRINCE2 Foundation Certification or other equivalent Project Management qualification – Mandatory.

PRINCE2 Practitioners Certification or other equivalent level Project Management qualification – Preferred

Experience:  A minimum  of 10 years of progressive experience in project development and management operating in post conflict environments, with a focus on monitoring, reporting and coordination in either public or private sector organizations, along with proven success in national capacity development, are required for this position.

Experience in mine action is not a requirement but will be considered an advantage.

Language Requirements:  Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement. Understanding of Pashtuand/or Dari will be considered an asset.

• 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 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.