Head of Programme

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

Established in 2009, UNOPS Ethiopia Office has been providing services to various partners, including the government of Ethiopia, UN agencies such as WHO, UNHCR and UNICEF, and other international organizations. In 2014, the UNOPS Executive Director decided to establish the UNOPS Ethiopia Multi Country Office (EMCO), which leads and coordinates the UNOPS activities in Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti.

UNOPS EMCO activities range from tailor-made administration, operations, human resources and logistics support for implementation of development and humanitarian projects; infrastructure and procurement management services; and advisory services to partners to facilitate effective procurement, supply and financial management.

The Head of Programme (HoP) reports directly to the EMCO Director who provides direction and general supervision. The HoP is responsible for programme development planning and preparation and for leading all stages of programming to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility. The role contributes to the development and implementation of strategies to improve the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners. The HoP will also be supervising a diverse team of international and local project managers of both genders including the Senior Project Manager for infra team, the Portfolio Senior Manager, the Project Management Officer, and functionally the Project Managers in Sudan and Djibouti.

The effective and successful performance by the HoP directly impacts on achievement of programme results and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive edge as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

1. Programme governance, implementation and monitoring

2. Programme development and planning

3. Lead programme resources

4. Partnership networking and advocacy

5. Knowledge management and innovation

• Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight

• Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client-oriented services.

• Monitor and supervise the timely and efficient programme implementation according to UNOPS and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.

• Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.

• Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of standard methodology project management processes.

• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.

• Develop and implement the programme governance framework.

• Support the EMCO Director in ensuring the financial sustainability of the programme and achieving desired results, compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.

• Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the EMCO Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.

• Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the EMCO Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.

• Run and lead all aspects of the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the EMCO Director.

• Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonization of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.

• As the Gender Focal Point for the EMCO, to ensure Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan is actioned and timely implemented, that the office has required gender mainstreaming capacity and knowledge, and that gender is mainstreamed into relevant projects, programs, and processes.

• Plan and propose to the EMCO Director, required programme resources (human and financial).

• Submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and EMCO financial goals.

• Resolve pricing strategies using pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN directive and spirit.

• Lead programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.

• Plan, recruit, lead and develop programme personnel/technical specialists with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, optimal and efficiently.

• Foster a positive work environment, be respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.

• Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.

• Collaborate with the Partnerships Manager to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.

• Contribute to current and future growth plans for the EMCO, ensuring alignment with the UNOP Strategic Plan.

• Support Communication Specialists to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.

• At the request of the EMCO Director participate and/or represent the EMCO in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.

• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/standard methodologies, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.

• Institutionalize and share standard methodologies and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.

• Be responsible for the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and partners within the programme.

• The incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as required.

Education:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required. 

• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner an asset, but required completion within the first 6 months of onboarding.

• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, executive management and/or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization. 

• Experience in a developing country context is desirable.

Language:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.

• Knowledge of French and/or another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Contract type: ICA
• Contract level: I-ICA 3
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.
• Addis Ababa is a family duty station.
• 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
• 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 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.