Head of Project Unit (HPU)

2. Project implementation delivery 

• In accordance with project agreements with UNMAS, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements and plans for delivery of the Project Unit projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.

• Oversee project implementation (including implementation through third-party contractors and grantees), review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the PSC New York Office, for action and/or intervention.

• Ensure projects are implemented in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as:

  • Financial and procurement rules

  • Contract and grant management policies

  • Project management standards

  • Health, safety, social and environmental standards

  • Gender parity and mainstreaming policies

  • Information management systems and standards

  • Organizational design standards and human resources policies

  • Mine action technical standards (with support from the Head of Operations)

• Depending on the circumstance, either in support of CMAP or as part of UNOPS obligations, draft high quality reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate. Research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents.

• Take responsibility for financial decisions. Exercise financial control to ensure the financial health/sustainability of the Project Unit.

3. Project Unit leadership and management 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnership with CMAP through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to maintain and enhance project engagements. 

• Keep the PSC New York Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management. 

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible Project Unit 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. 

• Create, foster and role-model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrasment, sexual harrassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. 

• Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS assets, property, information and personnel and their eligible dependents 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. 

• In support of the CMAP, support the design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms. 

• Support CMAP preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials. 

• Act as CMAP OIC upon request of UNMAS and concurrence from PSC Director.

• Support the CMAP in managing relationships with: National authorities, UN peace and political missions, UN country teams and donors, including reporting to donors and intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and programmatic/substantive issues.

• Participate in any UN mission/country team meetings to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.

• Keep the UN Mission leadership/Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication and formal reporting on implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF or equivalent.

• Manage relationships with the CMAP and other direct UNOPS stakeholders

5. Knowledge management and innovation 

• Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the project delivery and results. Continuously review approaches/methodology to ensure relevance or enact new ones. 

• Initiate and undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing, and incorporation into future plans of the lessons learned by the project(s) and others to improve future delivery and quality, and to strengthen knowledge and information sharing mechanisms internally, as well as with clients and other key stakeholders.