Project Management Support Specialist (Field Coordinator)

Peace and Security Cluster

For over 20 years, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) has provided its largest partner, UNMAS, with interlinked portfolio, Programme and project management services that are reinforced by comprehensive management and oversight controls.  

Under this umbrella, the Cluster is responsible for the day-to-day management of UNMAS Field Programmes  through a comprehensive approach encompassing areas such as  human resources, procurement and contract management, as well as planning, implementation and risk management, that is supported by cross-cutting initiatives that include knowledge and information management, and gender, diversity and inclusion.  This comprehensive delivery platform is implemented  according to client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations through the leadership of the Cluster Director, who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of PSC on behalf of its clients.

The Mine Action Office in South Sudan is based in Juba and it supports the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) as well as the national demining authorities in coordinating Mine Action activities in South Sudan.

The program has been coordinating and providing quality assurance (QA) of all humanitarian mine action activities throughout South Sudan since 2004. UNMAS South Sudan’s’ current operations focus on hazardous area surveys, landmine and ERW clearance and destruction, route verification and clearance, emergency mitigation measures for improperly stored small arms and ammunition (SAA) (as required), Explosive Ordnance Risk Education for UN personnel, humanitarian partners and vulnerable groups, entry point control using Explosive Detection Dogs (EDD) and data management.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Project Unit (HPU), the Project Management Support Specialist (Field Coordinator)'s functional responsibilities include:

• Lead the UNMAS team at the Field Office level, ensuring that UNMAS responds in a timely and efficient manner to requests for support from Mission personnel and humanitarian partners.
• Prepare sector level Quarterly and Annual reports, as well as weekly and monthly reports as required.
• Prepare donor reports, including ad-hoc reports as required.
• Prepare periodic substantive reports for implementing partners against donor contributions, projects and activities.
• Prepare periodic reports to local authorities and Heads of Field Offices as required.
• Provide logistical and substantive support for visits of donors and other delegations.
• Provide coordination support and assist the HPU during donor visits, visits to embassies and presentations and visits to/by Mine Action stakeholders in country.
• Liaise with UN partner agencies and donors in mine action in obtaining up to date information on potential funding and projects and ensuring that their needs for Mine Action support are communicated and addressed.
• Participate and contribute in sector level inter-agency meetings and assist on any Programme issues.
• Provide Programme information to partner agencies, non-governmental organizations and contractors and UN agencies.
• Maintain documentation of decisions and actions taken on Programme issues.
• Support public information initiatives and maintain close working relationships with UN partner agencies on public information activities.
• Serve as the sector level focal point for Mine Action sub-cluster under auspices of Protection Cluster coordination, including contributing to development of strategy, grant management, and reporting.
• Support resource mobilization for Programme, including donor liaison, and development of concept notes, proposals, and reports.
• Work with senior management to develop public information and communications strategy for Programme, including production of materials, reports, and events.
• Engage with mission representatives and implementing partners to share Programme activities and delivery progress, highlight key output, challenges and share work plans.
• Work with the Technical team to devise operational work plans on an annual basis.
• Monitor and analyze Programme activities through data collection, consolidate information, identify bottle-neck trends & best practices and ensure follow-up on action points.
• Enhance and Implement monitoring mechanisms to ensure Programme activities remain on track and within set compliance goals, report and make relevant recommendations to management and partners.
• Manage and supervise field office personnel.
• Liaise with the Juba Operations Office to ensure that the mine action needs of the field office are properly understood and request additional assistance where appropriate.
• Perform relevant duties as requested and tasked by the HPU.
• Provide logistical and substantive support for visits of donors and other delegations.
• Coordinate the deployment of UNMAS field teams in line with the direction given by the HPU.
• Manage the staff assigned to the respective office to ensure that UNMAS field operations are
  regularly visited and are conducted in line with the national standards.

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

* QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

Education

• An Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience OR
• A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in Programme management, project management or business administration.
• Experience in humanitarian affairs is desired.
• Experience in mine action is desired.
• Experience in donor reporting and preparing project proposals is desired.
• Experience in computer literacy is required.

Language

• Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of other UN official languages is desired.

* CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

* QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY!

• 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.
• 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.

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA-2 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

UNOPS 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.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner 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 we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.