Portfolio Support Officer (WASH)

The UNOPS Geneva Cluster has excellent links with the international community. Local and international partners call upon the Geneva Cluster for expertise in fund management, project management, procurement of goods and services, and human resources administration to ensure successful delivery of their projects. Focus areas include health, water/sanitation and environment.

One of the main client groups of the Geneva Cluster is the WASH (Water Sanitation and Hygiene) portfolio. This includes UN Water, Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) and as largest operation the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Ccouncil (WSSCC).

The WSSCC is a global multi-stakeholder partnership organization that works to improve the lives of poor people. UNOPS is the legal and administrative host of WSSCC. Founded in 1990, WSSCC’s mission is to ensure sustainable sanitation, better hygiene and safe drinking water for all people, especially the poorest and most marginalized members of society in developing countries. In order to achieve its mission, WSSCC manages the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF), facilitates sector coordination at national, regional and global levels, supports professional development, and advocates on behalf of the 2.5 billion people without a clean, safe toilet to use. More information on WSSCC can be found at: www.wsscc.org.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Geneva Cluster Director and Head of Programmes, and direct guidance and supervision of the WASH Portfolio/Grants Manager, the Portfolio Support Officer is mainly responsible for supporting effective portfolio coordination, oversight, financial reporting and systems review while acting as internal focal person for HR guidance/support and the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF). S/He manages and ensures the provision of efficient and timely portfolio support systems, tools and high quality services to the different Projects/Programmes under the WASH portfolio, with focus on HR support and financial reporting.

Below are some of the functionalities, with focus on achieving results in the following areas:

• Portfolio Planning & Oversight Support: Review new project proposals or donor contribution agreements, draft and enter new engagement inputs to the UNOPS Leads System recommending required revisions or specific conditions to be met, prior to acceptance of project execution; review related documents with team, assess the operational and financial components and provide comments to supervisor; review and comment on operational aspects of projects; identify operational and financial problems and resolve them by taking appropriate action following consultation with direct supervisor, draft correspondence to parties concerned and prepare reports;

• Financial Planning & Reporting: Set up project proposals and budgets in ERP system/Atlas and monitor project budgets, support the preparation of due budget revisions in consultation with direct supervisor and Finance and the relevant project counterpart; prepare financial reports and ad-hoc updates on cash-flow status, contractual commitment and expenditure status; draft appropriate comments on audit reports, if necessary;

• Portfolio Coordination & Guidance Support: Provide advice and assist coordination of all portfolio workflows and support services to various clients, including guidance and assistance with UNOPS’ main rules and regulations, policies. Assist and support all portfolio core services related to procurement/contract administration, finance/payment process, grant management and HR/recruitment process.  

• Support Systems & Tools: Continuously maintain and review/seek improvements of existing tracking systems, tools and online software for best support systems. Drive the regular data updates and related exercises especially related to financial reporting. Support the maintenance of database on standards and tools, roster of best suppliers, contractors and service providers, activities and statistics and contract advertisement, awards and disseminate information. Participate in and conduct trainings for the operations/projects staff on best tools and/or ERP system. Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice. Develop specifications/TOR, establishment of evaluation criteria, evaluation of bids/proposals for database or other similar new systems.     

• HR Guidance & Support Focal Point: Act as designated first contact within WASH team for any HR and recruitment related questions and support needs. Coordinate with Geneva Cluster HR Manager and Associate on specific cases and best possible support for timely provision of guidance and recruitment process. Central role in the development and implementation of HR management system for the unit with regard to planning, awarding, administering and monitoring of all matters related to HR for the portfolio, and in collaboration with others for the Geneva Cluster.

• Global Sanitation Fund Focal Point : Act as designated first contact within WASH team for the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF). In close coordination with Procurement Analyst assist in GSF related procurement processes, systematic management of data needs, reporting and coordinating responses to requests for information from other internal units and from external parties.

Drive with energy:           

-        Change Orientation

-        Initiative

-        Ability to Learn

Focus and Execute:

-        Ability to Analyze

-        Organising and Quality Orientation

-        Result Orientation

 Impact and Energize:

-        Teamwork Skills

Guide with Passion:         

-        Client Focus

SKILLS

Project Management:

-        Project Management Support

-        Budget Management

-        Client Management

-        Quality Control

-        Designing Monitoring Systems

-        Evidence based data and information

Operational Systems & Tools

-        Database knowledge/management

-        Reporting and financial systems

Human Resources

-        HR Planning

-        Recruitment & Selection

-        UN Staff Rules and Regulations

Administration:

-        Atlas

-        Planning

-        Results-Based Management

-        Coordination

-        Record Management

• 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.
• 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.

APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT A ONE-PAGE COVER LETTER WITH THEIR APPLICATIONS.