Coordination Manager

The ‘Our Ocean’ Conference (OOC) Series: Initiated in 2014 by the US State Department, spearheaded by former Secretary of State John Kerry and attended by former President Barack Obama, the Our Ocean Conference series has  elevated ocean issues on the global foreign policy agenda and catalyzed political will on actions to preserve global ocean health, including translating commitments into activities that have significantly enhanced the sustainability of oceans. Since 2014, a total of $18 billion USD has been pledged to support critical activities to improve the health of oceans, ensuring the provision of continued benefits for the societies, cultures and economies that depend on ocean ecosystems. Participation level at OOC has topped 1000+ over the years, and has included the presence of Heads of State, CEOs and executive representatives of global companies, heads of large philanthropic organizations, global funds, and international NGOs, as well as, members of the Royal families of Monaco, Sweden and Jordan.

Palau’s historical hosting of Our Ocean 2020: At the 4th Our Ocean Conference held in Malta and hosted by the EU, Palau became the first small island government to assume hosting duties of the OOC series. Palau joins Chile, Indonesia, the EU (Malta) and Norway as non-US hosts of the series. Palau will convene OOC 2020.

The coordination manager will lead the project activities to enable a successful OOC 2020 on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Palau, project donors and partners, and UNOPS.

The coordination manager is responsible for  ensuring the efficient execution of OOC 2020 on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Palau and UNOPS including leading strategic and technical development, managing all key international partnerships and stakeholders, including lead project execution consultants and technical advisors, leading engagement with the implementation arm of the Government of Palau and ensuring important project stipulations and products are consistently met and exceeded. The coordination manager will directly support the work of the Palau Mission in New York under the direction of the Permanent Representative of Palau to the United Nations.

The OOC 2020 is a complex project with mid-level risks.  The coordination manager is expected to develop and execute a strategy to engage governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, academia, media, the private sector, and UNOPS partners to successfully deliver the OOC 2020.

The coordination manager will have the following responsibilities:

Stakeholders and Partnerships Management:

• Lead the engagement of all partners, including key international partners and stakeholders attached to OOC 2020.
• Establish solid communication and manage the information flows between the implementation arm of the Government of Palau, the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), partner and key stakeholders and the larger OOC 2020 Coordination Team.
• Co-lead communications and ensure all stakeholders involved are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions.
• Advise the partner on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements).

Technical and Strategic Development:

• Lead the development of a strategic workplan and project scope to aid in the seamless execution of OOC 2020 in line with expected outcomes and heighten ambition.
• Lead and manage all technical aspects of the policy and international relations objectives OOC 2020 in line with the vision and mission of the annual conference series, in particular leading the technical development and execution of Our Oceans Commitments and progress tracking.
• Manage engagement of all technical advisors and lead project consultants.
• Provide advisory support to the Palau Mission in New York and the Permanent Representative of Palau to the United Nations and the implementation arm of the Government of Palau on marine and ocean policy.
• Manage all communications and technical engagement with UNOPS.

Delivery and Performance:

• Provide strategies to the project manager during the development of the project plan.
• Define the work packages and quality metrics to deliver a successful OOC 2020 during the development of the project plan.
• Define the risks and risks mitigations during the development of the project plan.
• Monitor the performance of the project plan execution and facilitate the coordination with  governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, academia, media, the private sector, and UNOPS partners to successfully deliver the OOC 2020.

 Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

1. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management
2. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place
3. Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

1. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them     into the project plans
2. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff
3. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination

1. Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g.    United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results  and the use of resources

1. The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability,      transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, in coordination with the    project manager implement corrective actions.

• Excellence

1. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and    quality.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Project deliverables contribute to the fulfilment of the OOC 2020 objectives, mission and vision.
• Work packages are delivered to the quality expectations of the partners.
• The Government of Palau, the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), partner and key stakeholders and the larger OOC 2020 Coordination Team are periodically appraised on the progress of the execution of the project plan.

A.  Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Environmental Policy, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience  in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

B. Work Experience

• Five (5) years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.

Additional Requirements:

• Knowledge of the United Nations Small Island Developing States (UN SIDS) ecosystem and its main stakeholders is desirable.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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 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.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.