Country Manager

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

The Project Office is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with the Project Office’s portfolio of engagements – as part of the Multi Country Office set up, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

UNOPS Ghana Operational Hub (GHOH), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.  GHOH is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

The Project Office operates as an integral part of the Multi Country Office management structure. The Country Manager reports to the Multi Country Office Director who provides direction and guidance.  The Country Manager role is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and supervising the delivery of all projects and support services in a given country- that includes liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

UNOPS GHOH is currently implementing one main project in The Gambia with several other opportunities in active development.  The objective of the ongoing project entitled "Reinforced Access of the Most Vulnerable Populations to Markets and Socio-economic facilities through a Feeder Road Rehabilitation Programme" is to enhance socio-economic development around the road network in the Gambia with financing from the European Union.  The project is implemented through two main service lines:  the first involves the reconstruction / rehabilitation of up to 126 km of rural feeder roads using a blend of work contracts and labour intensive methods where possible.  The second involves the provision of technical assistance and capacity building to the National Roads Authority (NRA) focusing on three main work streams:

1.         Road maintenance management– Providing Technical Assistance to enhance the maintenance management plans for the coming years using HDM IV. 

2.         Maintenance works using labour intensive methods–Technical Advisor (TA) for the staff supervising these maintenance works in handling and supervision of labour intensive maintenance works to develop their capacity so that they will be able to take over the procurement and supervision of labour intensive maintenance works on the feeder roads following the completion of the project.

Summary of key results:

1. Project Office programme/project management
2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
3. Service delivery and quality assurance
4. Representation and inter-agency partnership
5. Knowledge management and innovation 

1.      Project Office programme/project management

• Develop proposals and prepare project documents agreements in connection with identified opportunities and in cooperation/collaboration with partners.
• Plan and propose to Multi Country Office Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.
• Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Office, in collaboration with the partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team 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.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel within the respective area of responsibility. 
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

2.      Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and the Multi Country Office Director) areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep the Multi Country Office Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.

3.      Service delivery and quality assurance

• Establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.
• Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Multi Country Office, for action and/or intervention.
• Where assigned as direct project manager:

v  Stakeholder Management:

• and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project(s)

v  Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:  I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

                                i.            Highlight Reports

                               ii.            End Stage Reports

                             iii.            Operational Closure Checklist

                             iv.            End Project Report

                               v.            Handover Report

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Project Office, including submitting financial reports to the Multi Country Office Director.

4.      Representation and inter-agency partnership

• Participate, as delegated by the Multi Country Office Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNDAF/One Program, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.
• Participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.
• Keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within Gambia through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF or equivalent.

5.      Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

A Master’s Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.

Bachelor’s Degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience in a relevant discipline may be accepted

Applicants with Technical/Professional Diploma Certification within the relevant field with additional four (4) years may also be considered.  

Certification:

PRINCE 2 Foundation Certification – required.

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in a large international and/or corporate in either public or private sector organizations is required.

A minimum of two (2) years’ experience managing donor funded projects or programmes is required (such as the EU, World Bank, DFID, SIDA other bi-lateral or multilateral donors) is required.

In-depth knowledge and experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is highly desirable.

Experience working on projects/programmes providing technical assistance to public sector institutions is an asset.

Demonstrated experience working on projects in the development sector at a senior level is a distinct advantage.

Candidates with experience working with UN (particularly UNOPS) or other Humanitarian/Development agencies will be well regarded.

Previous experience working in Africa is a distinct advantage.

Technical proficiency in using MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and MS Project is preferable.

Additional Requirements:
Experience developing documents in support of resources mobilization will be highly desirable.

Experience holding roles with representation and/or delegated responsibilities is required.

Fluency in written and oral English is required.

Contextual Skills

International organizations experience

Management experience

Leadership skills

Representational/diplomatic skills

Project Design

Project Development

Project Management Skills

Budget Management

Capacity Building

Client Management

Contracts Negotiation

Financial Rules and Regulations

Knowledge Management

Monitoring and Evaluation

Multistage Reporting

Project Management

Risk Analysis

Stakeholder Management

Develop project team

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

• 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.