Project Management Specialist-Intercultural Engagement

Development Group Cluster

The UNOPS Development Group Cluster is based in the North America Office and supports a diverse and complex portfolio including partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (the Bureau for Development Policy, the Human Development Report Office, and the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation), the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Capital Development Fund, the United Nations Secretariat and a broadening community of primarily New York-based UN partners in the delivery of project management, implementation and administration services.

The UN Alliance of Civilizations seeks to reduce tensions across cultural divides that threaten to inflame existing political conflicts or trigger new ones. Through preventive diplomacy initiatives, it works at grassroots level, promoting education, youth, media and migration projects aimed at building trust and respect among diverse communities.

The Alliance was established in 2005, at the initiative of the Governments of Spain and Turkey, under the auspices of the United Nations. In March 2013, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, former President of the General Assembly, was appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General to succeed Jorge Sampaio, former President of Portugal, as High Representative for the Alliance. UNAOC is supported by a Group of Friends – a community of over 120 member countries and international organizations and bodies.  The UNAOC Secretariat, based in New York, NY, is funded by multiple donors, with operations-level support provided by UNOPS.

Under the coordination of the Programme Management Coordinator and the direct supervision of the Director, UNAOC, the Project Management Specialist duties will include:

• Implement various projects focusing on intercultural issues and approaches.  This may include dialogue processes and exchange programs, as well as projects focused on the impact of culture on the issue of sustainable development;

• Collaborate with colleagues for the coordination of projects across the full spectrum of the UNAOC pillars of activity (Youth, Education, Media, and Migration);

• Engage in the development and expansion of partnerships with research bodies, think-tanks, civil society groups and universities to build and expand on potential content areas (especially sustainable development); research and develop new areas featuring best practices and resources on cross-cultural dialogue;

• As appropriate, participate in the selection of the projects related to competitive processes.  Subtasks can include: creation of a comprehensive database; participate in fundraising efforts,  coordination of process of selecting jury members and liaison with them; short listing of projects; presentation of short-listed projects to  the selection panel; drafting of a summary report on the selection process; establishment of direct liaison with selected projects. Where appropriate, follow up with the selected organizations, providing technical support and expertise;

• Incorporate consultation processes with stakeholders and partners from different regions;

• Apply approved monitoring and evaluation practices to assigned projects;

• Draft TORs for services and liaise with vendors as needed including collecting vendor forms.

• Maintain records, file and organize documents regarding project operations.

• Coordinate website and other electronic (internet, social media, etc.) outreach efforts with the Communications staff; Assist communications team when relevant to monitor and track stories about achievements of organizations or individuals supported by UNAOC; Support communications team and provide input for the communications team to produce communication materials pertaining to assigned project activities;

• Responsible for actively monitoring the financial aspects of the assigned projects including keeping progress report of budget execution and drafting reports to the donors. 

• Ensure use of best practices in the monitoring and assessment of all UNAOC projects;

• Liaise with UN departments and agencies in order to maintain policy relevance and identify innovative and entrepreneurial practices;

• Monitor the full field of international project activity by international and regional organizations as well as NGOs involving innovative grassroots projects, with a focus on intercultural understanding;

• Contribute to the overall work of the UNAOC Secretariat and take on additional tasks as and when needed.

• Ability to harmoniously work in a team to achieve organizational goals;
• Ability to work in a multicultural and international environment;
• Ability to work well under pressure and to meet tight deadlines;
• Strong attention to details;
• Strong entrepreneurial spirit;

• 5 years of relevant work experience in project management and/or organization of large-scale events; with 1 to 2 years of work experience with international organizations or international non-governmental organizations;
• Proven knowledge of international relations, particularly matters related to the United Nations; in-depth knowledge of intercultural issues, including trends in the fields of cross-cultural dialogue and sustainable development;
• Proven ability to coordinate project activities with diverse groups and individuals;
• Experience with research management, analysis and drafting of documents on complex issues;
• Knowledge of all phases of project management (design, drafting, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, etc.);
• IT proficiency

• 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.