Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism”

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

New York Service Cluster (NYSC) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as 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

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

This Programme provides capacity building, institutional development and technical assistance to requesting Member States, civil society and the UN system on Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism. The Programme provides practical, evidence-based and locally relevant training and support on policy assistance, strategic communication, education, youth, gender, human rights, mental health and other emerging issues.  

The Programme aims to strengthen individual, community and national resilience of beneficiaries by:

1. Raising awareness and enhancing the understanding of good practice in preventing violent extremism amongst beneficiaries; 

2. Advising Member States on how to develop institutional frameworks to support Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE); and 

3. Providing technical support on PCVE focused on tailored training and advice.  

This is a position in UNOPS for supporting projects carried out for or in the United Nations Office of Counter Terrorism (UNOCT). The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

 Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” will provide expert advice and programme delivery support for the global implementation of the UNOCT/United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre (UNCCT) Global Programme to Prevent and Counter Violent Extremism, and/or Youth Engagement and Empowerment Programme . The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” will provide support in the field and at UN Headquarters for the management of projects and delivery of workshops, seminars, training programmes and other capacity building activities. The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” may also be deployed to provide targeted technical assistance as directed by the Programme Manager. The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” Consultant will provide expertise on communications and media and supporting effective Programme implementation. The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” will also be responsible for reporting and providing measurement and evaluation data and other project performance data.

Under the supervision of the Project Manager, the Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” will provide technical support as follows: 

• Provide direct assistance to, and in some cases lead, the planning and delivery of projects and capacity building activities, at the global level

• Communicate and coordinate with national, regional government representatives, civil society organisations, and industry stakeholders on the implementation of activities under the guidance of the Programme Manager

• Propose plan and conduct scoping missions to Member States and regional bodies to determine capacity building needs and develop plans for implementation

• Plan, develop and conduct workshops, technical assistance and other training on PCVE under the supervision of the Programme Manager

• Develop appealing and effective communications products, content and materials in support of the Programme’s deliverables and results, including policy briefs, reports, engagement platform and social media content to promote Programme activities.

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of PCVE courses on the UNOCT e-learning platform 

• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework and systems.

• Identify, advise and develop opportunities for programme iteration and the collection of global good practices.

• Provide inputs to reporting, briefing and presentation materials related to the programme activities 

• Provide technical support for critical meetings, conferences, seminars for UNCCT PVE- focused issues.

• Identify opportunities to improve visibility and implementation of the Programme through communications.

• Support the Programme Manager and Office on other activities as required. 

Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Programme Management Specialist “Preventing Violent Extremism” will:

• Manage, coordinate, deliver, and/or provide direct assistance to capacity building activities, including regional, national and subnational workshops and technical assistance. 

• Contribute to reporting and communications on the project and outcomes, including the delivery of media and communications activities.    

• Contribute to the project’s Measurement and Evaluation framework and incorporation of good practice and lessons learned.

 Education

• Advanced university degree preferably in social science, political science, international relations, peace and security, media, communications, or other relevant field.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working on peace and security, preventing and countering violent extremism, community engagement, youth engagement and empowerment, international relations, or a related field is required.   

• Experience in supporting the delivery of PCVE projects or local community capacity building, with a focus on communications, youth, education, gender, or human rights is desirable. 

• Experience engaging with UN entities, governments, regional organizations, civil society and industry is desirable. 

Language

• Fluency in English (write, read, talk) is required.

• Knowledge of other UN working languages is desirable 

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) 

Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (I-ICA 1/ICS-9) 

Contract Duration:  Open-ended (subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.   

The contract may be terminated on 31 December 2022.

• 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
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.