Programme Management Advisor

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.

UNOPS Multi Country Office: 

The Thailand Multi Country Office (THMCO), established in 2017, supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Hub comprises three main offices: THMCO Thailand, THMCO Indonesia and the THMCO Pacific Cluster. 

The THMCO Pacific Cluster, established in early 2018, was formed to support the implementation of infrastructure design, procurement, construction of infrastructure, training, programme management, and facilitate access to funding sources across 12 Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS), including: Palau; Federated States of Micronesia; Marshall Islands; Nauru; Kiribati; Papua New Guinea; Solomon Islands; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Fiji; Tonga; Western Samoa. 

Activities currently explored to support Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS) deal with challenges and constraints associated with a combination of Pacific countries’ remoteness, availability of resources, demography, weather or a combination of all these factors. Many PSIDS in fact continue to suffer from diseconomies of scale in production and exchange of goods and services and access to export markets, due to their geographic characteristics, and the main economic activities remain centered around tourism, fisheries, forestry and agriculture, with remittances still playing a significant role in the economy of several Pacific SIDS. The result has been limited progress in structural transformations, slower development of productive capacities and increased vulnerability to external shocks, such as those arising from volatile commodity prices, climate change and natural disasters. 

In the framework of the above challenges, UNOPS is exploring options to work with Pacific countries and support the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through expertise, best practices and collaborations to fill the missing financing and technical know-how gaps needed to develop sustainable projects. 

In line with this background and with UNOPS’ corporate goal to expand its operations across the Pacific, the Thailand Multi Country Office (THMCO) is establishing the position of Programme Management Advisor to specifically assist in the identification of new project opportunities in Papua New Guinea (PNG). 

The incumbent will support UNOPS THMCO with the management and coordination of ongoing relationships and activities, liaising with UNOPS partners, clients and other key stakeholders, and ensuring a consistent and well-coordinated approach in the execution of projects in Papua New Guinea and occasionally for other countries within the THMCO Pacific Cluster. 

Under the overall direction and responsibility of the UNOPS Multi Country Office Director based in Bangkok, Thailand, the incumbent’s responsibilities will include but not be limited to the following: 

• In-Country Coordination and Representation

• Partnerships development and stakeholder management 

• Programme development and planning

• Knowledge management and innovation

Duties and Responsibilities:

In-Country Coordination and Representation

• Act as the internal coordination point to ensure adequate coordination of UNOPS activities in the designated country.

• At the request of the Hub Director, participate in relevant inter-agency and external meetings.

• Maintain regular contact with stakeholders, including the Government to ensure full information sharing and participation.

• Collaborate with internal and external partners, colleagues and stakeholders to keep abreast of evolving trends, advocate UNOPS services and build partnerships/alliances to maintain/enhance UNOPS visibility in project services in development cooperation.

• At the request of the Hub Director, participate in UN Country Team initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness.

• At the request of the Hub Director, keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) / UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) .  

• At the request of the Multi Country Office Director, participate in relevant inter-agency and external meetings. 

• Maintain regular contact with stakeholders, including the Government, to ensure full information sharing and participation.

• Coordinate implementation of ongoing and new projects in PNG and projects in other countries as assigned.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the office teams with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibility, effectively and efficiently

• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant partnerships personnel at Multi Country Office, Region and HQ level, as well as Project Managers and other project personnel of the Country, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs, to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.

• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Multi Country Office and Project Office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth.

• Provide advice and feedback to UNOPS HQ and Multi Country Office on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level.

• Contribute to the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects.

• Contribute to the diversification of the Multi Country Office and Project Office, in line with UNOPS strategic and regional objectives. 

• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Partnerships development and stakeholder management 

• Develop, establish 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 Hub’s Partnerships focal point to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.

• Proactively contribute to current and future growth plans for the THMCO PNG office, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS Global, Regional and Hub Strategic Plan.

• Support the Communication Analysts and Assistants 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 Hub Director participate and/or represent the Country Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.

• Undertake stakeholder management through the participation and contribution in project board (steering committee) meetings with partners, project managers and stakeholders as assigned project executive on project boards. Participate and lead stakeholder meeting forums including those with beneficiaries as required.

• Demonstrate professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness. 

 
Programme Implementation Development and Planning 

• Lead the identification, design, formulation and negotiation of new projects and programs and draft concept notes and project document briefs for discussions with partners.

• Lead the development, management, and coordination of the Programme strategic initiatives.

• Develop a comprehensive partnership and programme development plan in line with UNOPS Strategic Plan and Regional Strategies, including country context, analysis of the regional and national development and humanitarian landscape, identification of main partners, strategic positioning of UNOPS in the potential operational niches identified, as well as grow a pipeline opportunities for all countries within scope of the Multi-country Office. Ensure plan reflects in-house capacity, typology of projects and the internal tools and knowledge resources.

• Examine risks and opportunities presented by the strategic positioning of the Multi-Country Office and propose appropriate responses to ensure sustainable growth

• Monitor and evaluate humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify areas of collaboration within UNOPS mandate and existing capacity.

• Research events, publications and announcements, to track and screen opportunities for possible UNOPS interventions and identify trends that will drive partnership opportunities

• Provide advice and feedback to the THMCO Director and Senior Management Team on the development of framework partnership agreements that can increase opportunities at the regional level and on the possibilities for UNOPS strategic positioning vis-à-vis the potential partners.

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

• Coordinate preparation of substantive briefs on specific partners, UNOPS strategic positioning, and partnership opportunities;

• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/ strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments) to inform strategic programmatic decisions in country

• Establish working relationships with key potential partners and attend relevant meetings in an effort to position UNOPS as a partner of choice;

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

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

• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant partnerships and programme personnel at the country, regional and UNOPS HQ level, to ensure aligned and coherent interactions with partners.

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

• Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the Hub 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 THMCO Hub Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.

• Manage and oversee 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 THMCO Hub Director.

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

Knowledge management and innovation

• Advise on the policy-level issues related to partnerships and programme development for UNOPS THMCO Pacific Cluster;

• Assess and keep abreast of the emerging trends in the development and humanitarian spheres in the Pacific sub-region, as related to UNOPS services; 

• Identify and synthesize best practices and lessons learnt as related to partnership and programme development.

• Contribute to UNOPS capacity development as related to partnerships, including promoting learning, coaching and mentoring the team members, field staff on UNOPS policy and practices for effective management of partnerships;

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

• Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

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

• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme

• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice. 

Impact of Results

The effective and successful performance by the Programme Management Adviser 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 position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education 

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Engineering (Infrastructure-related) Economics, Political Science, or related field with 7 years of relevant experience; or 

• Relevant first level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent) with nine (9) years of relevant experience. 

Experience

• Minimum seven (7) years of experience in project/programme management/coordination/development/administration, strategic planning and management, strategic liaison, donor or partners coordination or related area in combination with an advanced degree is required. 

• Within relevant experience, at least three years’ international experience (working abroad) is required.

• Within relevant experience at least two years’ experience in a senior management or advisory role is required.

• Experience in managing infrastructure projects is preferred.

• Experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is an asset.

• Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures is an asset.

• Prior experience in the Pacific Region is an asset.

• Prior experience working in UN agencies and/or UNOPS is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. 

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)

• 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
• 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.