National Deputy Head of Support Services

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) 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 Head of 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 Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

Background - UNMAS

Established in 1997, UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under United Nations legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council, which include explicit references to remnant IEDs. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies."

Under the supervision of the Head of Support Services, the National Deputy Head of Support Services is responsible for the effective and efficient management of support functions (Administration, Human Resources, Finance, Logistics and Procurement) in pursuance of programme objectives. In doing so, he/she will further be responsible for full compliance of operations with United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) rules, regulations and policies, established SOP/SWPs and guidelines in line with the UN/UNOPS Rules and Regulations and monitoring adherence. Summary of key results are as following:    

1.     Operational leadership, advisory and technical support

2.     Project planning and coordination support

3.     Procurement

4.     Financial and compliance management

5.     Human resource management

6.     Administration and Information Technology

7.     Knowledge management and innovation

1. Operational Leadership, advisory and technical support

• Contribute to the formulation of UNMAS Iraq Programme, strategies and policies through advisory services to the UNMAS Iraq Programme.
• Provide technical advice and operational guidance on innovative approaches to project financing, risk assessment/mitigation and use of financing structures, mechanisms instruments and guarantees.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify the need, determine cost and plan all UNMAS Iraq Programme, support services, including procurement, logistics, finance, human resources and administrative services. 
• Assist the UNMAS Iraq Programme, Head of Support Services in setting goals, targets and performance standards for projects, and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing
• Participate in any UN forum discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
• Support the Head of Support Services in leading, safety, security matters to ensure they are integrated into all aspects of the operations and that related risks are managed effectively.

2.  Project planning and coordination support

• Provide assistance and support to the programme section for project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.
• Provide input into project engagement and acceptance documents including assisting with contract negotiations.
• Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance standards for projects and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing.
• Assist the Head of Support Services in monitoring project financial projections, advise  and/or refer critical issues to the UNMAS Iraq Programme, programme management.
• Provide advice on programme and project cost sharing, deployment of funds and closure.
• Constantly monitor and analyze the operating environment to identify potential risks and take action/refer critical issues for intervention to ensure delivery of results.
• Closely liaise with the Baghdad office and field sub-offices in order to troubleshoot any issues that might cause interruption in the support services management.

3.  Procurement  

• Support and supervise procurement processes, including tendering processes and evaluation and supplier selection, to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.
• Evaluate contractual arrangements and legal commitments/risks for appropriate action.
• In consultation with relevant colleague, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments with institutions and UN agencies.
• Oversee the logistics of goods and equipment on project sites to confirm delivery and safe warehousing.
• Evaluate, list, update and monitor the performance of the roster of service providers of suitable firms or institutions

4.  Financial and compliance management  

• Oversee the Support Services Finance Unit and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures
• Monitor, track and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of resources.
• Ensure the availability of required financial reports and exception reports including investigating anomalies to resolve problems, reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.
• Supervise the timely review, posting and closure of accounts. Certify/verify accuracy and compliance with standards of accountability framework. Submit/prepare mandated report on financial status.
• Supervise all financial services (accounting, cash management, payments etc.) ensuring timeliness and compliance with standards of accountability and performance.

5.  Human Resources Management

• Plan personnel required for UNMAS/ Iraq office programmes/projects.
• Oversee all human resource services/processes including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development, ensuring compliance with human resource rules, regulations, procedures and standards of performance and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Exercise control of all staffing issues within the UNMAS Iraq programme as required by the projects’ demands including recruitment, training, staff performance review

6.  Administration and Information Management

• Manage the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.
• Identify opportunities for leveraging the use of IT to enhance business operations and efficiency and to facilitate knowledge management, and information sharing.
• Manage the timely and efficient delivery of all administrative services, (e.g. premises, asset management, organizational and personnel security, travel and IT).

7.  Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches in UNMAS Iraq Programme, Support Services.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Plan, implement and organize strategic capacity building, learning and training of Support Services personnel, clients and stakeholders

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) in business administration, finance, procurement, project management, or other related field with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience OR
• First level university degree (bachelor or equivalent) in business administration, finance, procurement, project management,  or other related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience OR
• Secondary school diploma (high school or equivalent)  with 11 years of relevant experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in procurement, finance, logistics, asset management, human resources or business administration.
• Experience in budget management is required. 
• Experience in mine action is desired
• Computer literacy required 

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply
• This is a local position, therefore only nationals of duty station (Iraq) or applicants with a valid residence permit will be considered.
  
• 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.

Contract type:   Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) 
Contract level:  LICA-10 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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.