Head of Programme

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. 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 Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates. 

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis is delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor. 

Background Information - Somalia

Since 2009 UNMAS has been mandated through the UN Support Office to AMISOM (UNSOA) to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with training and mentoring in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device – defeat (IED-D), provided the relevant specialized equipment and the use of explosive detection dogs (EDD). The AMISOM support project is the core UNMAS project and contains a number of sub-projects within the whole.

In addition UNMAS is mandated through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to deliver projects associated with: Weapons and Ammunition Management; stabilization and employment; humanitarian demining; EOD/IED-D with the Somali Police Force, and capacity development with the State body for Explosive Hazard Management and the coordination of humanitarian demining. UNMAS, a component of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, draws upon project management services from UNOPS for implementation of its field operations.

Reporting directly to the Senior Programme Manager of the Somalia Mine Action Programme, the Head of Programme will have overall management responsibility for programme delivery throughout Somalia, and UNMAS representational duties with UNSOM, UNSOS and UNCT at senior management level on explosive hazard management issues.  In the absence of the Senior Programme Manager, the Head of Programme will act as the Deputy Programme Manager and can expect to represent UNMAS at regular meetings of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG); the Security Management Meeting; the Senior Management Group; the Crisis Management Group; and the United Nations Country Team.

The Head of Programme will play a critical role in the management of the programme office and development and implementation of strategies and practices necessary to develop the Programme further for the implementation of projects, while meeting and exceeding the organization’s performance and delivery goals.  The Head of Programme will be a senior manager within the Programme structure, with overall responsibility for a broad portfolio of competencies and capabilities with significant expected growth across various performance indicators. S/he  will be responsible for the following functions:

Summary of Key Functions :

• Proactively monitor the Programme’s overall progress;
• Identify risks/issues and initiate corrective action as appropriate while also ensuring that these are escalated to the Director in a timely manner as and when required;
• Implement Project Cycle Management systems in line with UNOPS processes;
• Coordinate the reporting to donors and ensure Smart Sheet is maintained as a knowledge management and  reporting tool for all projects;
• Ensure projects are aligned to UNMAS multi-year strategy, Theory of Change and mission strategic processes;
• Ensure Project and Programme Implementation Plans are continually updated and interdependencies between projects are promoted;
• Ensure successful delivery of new capabilities as per the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) standard;
• Ensure that the delivery of outputs/outcomes or services from the projects meet programme requirements in line with the programme blueprint and projects dossier, and is to the appropriate quality, on time and within budget;
• Ensure outcomes and impact orientated programming is promoted and processes are developed to monitor impact of project implementation;
• M&E processes are implemented to improve project delivery and quality is continually enhanced through documentation of lessons learned;
• Manage the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure knowledge management is institutionalized;  
• Mentor and assist the Project Managers with planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects/service agreements, ensuring capturing of lessons learned and incorporation of best practice project management in the service delivery processes;
• Mainstream Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in project and programme processes and ensure staff awareness is enhanced;
• Develop standard project management and service costing tools, and develop the project management and technical skills of the Project Managers and other project personnel;
• Develop and drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all projects;
• Identify potential new business, customer opportunities and fundraising possibilities supporting the work of the Senior Progamme Manager;
• Develop and maintain a close working relationship with donors, Governments and clients; and
• Report progress of the programme at regular intervals to the Senior Programme Manager.

2. Fiscal Responsibilities

• Manage the programme’s budget, monitor the expenditures and costs as the programme progresses;
• Coordinate budget and project tracking processes and provide timely and accurate project update, expenditure overview and ensure timely decisions are taken with the Senior Programme Manager as and when required;
• Coordinate activities with the Head of Support to ensure prograrme and support are working in a complementary manner;
• Provide guidance and oversight to the Programme Office (PO) with overall resource planning for the programme;
• Provide strategic advice on the development of resource mobilisation strategies, in full compliance with UNOPS pricing policy, with a disciplined approach to business case development and pricing models which balances revenues and development capacity, within the mandate and spirit of the United Nations;
• Supervise the development of  revenue and expenditure forecasts based on established financial goals;
• Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements.

3. Technical Functions

• Ultimately responsible for the delivering capabilities and relevant outcomes of the Programme, meeting and exceeding donor and client expectations;
• Research, identify, and introduce appropriate new technologies to assist delivery of capabilities and outcomes across the programme;
• Plan, develop, implement and maintain appropriate standards, best practices and procedures across the programme.

4. Human Resource Responsibilities

• In consultation with the Senior Programme Manager, facilitate the appointment of individuals to project delivery teams and ensure relevant induction of personnel into organizational policies and processes;
• Manage the programme and project team;
• Manage staff and establish clear performance objectives, with appropriate measures for all staff within the line management;
• Ensure that all roles have clearly defined responsibilities;
• Conduct personnel skills gap assessments and initiate relevant trainings;
• Conduct personnel performance reviews in accordance with current UNOPS HR Policies, conduct personnel surveys, analyse results and initiate appropriate responses;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the programme management team, senior managers, project teams and third-party service providers.

Education and Minimum Years of Experience           

• Advanced University Degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Public Administration, Social Science, Development, Humanitarian Affairs or related field with a minimum of ten (10) years of relevant experience; Or
• First-level University Degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) in Project Management, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Development, Humanitarian Affairs or other related field with a minimum of twelve (12) years of relevant experience
  
  

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in leadership, programme, project, or portfolio management roles, supporting operations in a humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict or development contexts, with public or private sector organizations
• Experience working in a hardship location is  desired
• Experience in overseeing central aspects of  programme(s) e.g. budget(s), human resources management, clients relations, risk management, programme monitoring and evaluation is desired

Languages

• Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required
• Fluency in another UN official language is desired

1. Contract type: (staff) Fixed Term Appointment
2. Contract level: P5 
3. Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

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.