Project Management Support - Senior Officer

Background Information – UNOPS

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.

Background Information – THMCO

The Thailand Multi Country Office (THMCO), established in 2017, supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises five main business units: THMCO Thailand, THMCO Indonesia, THMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, THMCO Papua New Guinea and, THMCO China. 

Background Information – Project

The two UN joint programmes (North Pacific and South Pacific) support the integration of digital solutions to the Pacific to assist the region’s socio economic recovery post COVID19. The project has two components a) accelerating the adoption of digital transformation related enabling policies, legislation and strategies across the various sectors and b) Pilot smart islands approach

‘Smart Islands’ introduces innovative approaches to deliver connectivity along with an integrated suite of scalable and sustainable services to disadvantaged island communities that leverages interoperability, multi-functionality and reuse of ICT infrastructure. Smart Islands can improve the provision of digital services across various sectors: health, education, agriculture, multi hazard warning, employment (e-commerce), digital financial services, tourism and fishing. 

Micronesia SDG Fund - Accelerating SDG achievement through digital transformation to strengthen community resilience in Micronesia

Aim of the initiative is to accelerate SDG achievement through digital transformation to strengthen community resilience in Micronesia. ITU as the lead UN agency for the SDG Fund Joint Programme“ Accelerating SDG achievement through digital transformation to strengthen community resilience in Micronesia” will be responsible for coordination with all participating and technical UN organizations (PUNOs) under the overall leadership of United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC), and  governments in the beneficiary countries to achieve the outputs and outcomes of this programme.  The UNRCOs will lead the strategic coordination with the national governments of the target countries. ITU, in cooperation with other UN agencies, will lead the joint programme on technical modules of the project, including the creation of training materials, identification of appropriate ICT solutions, deploying necessary toolkits, digital strategy, policy and regulatory reform, capacity building, and digital inclusion activities for beneficiaries.  UNOPS will lead the project management, operations and procurement of all ICT solutions.

Background Information – Position Description

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will provide a strong contribution to the overall success of the project. S/he will play an important role in supporting the Project Manager with operation, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and communication related to the project activities.

The Project Management Support - Senior Officer will also provide technical inputs relating to digital transformation and ICT- focused policies, in-country strategies and implementation, knowledge management and sharing, and capacity building, under the supervision of Project Manager and in close collaboration with the ITU and relevant stakeholders.

Lead the Smart Islands Programme-Design, manage, monitor, supervise and evaluate the Smart Islands programme in close collaboration with the connectivity providers, service providers, rural community, ITU, government departments and other stakeholders to implement the pilot implementation in the identified village(s).  Develop a detailed project implementation plan and coordinate the implementation of project activities while continuously monitoring performance and providing recommendations for improvements based on follow up meetings and project timelines. 

The Project Management Support - Senior Officer will contribute to the effective delivery and implementation of strategic and effective procurement services, for a select group of goods and services. These services reflect best practices in international public procurement, compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations and procurement policy, rules, regulations and procedure, ensuring appropriate risk management and obtaining the best value for money. 

The Project Management Support - Senior Officer is also responsible for the quality of administrative support services provided within the programme portfolio. He/she analyzes and interprets the administrative rules and regulations and provides solutions to complex issues related to administration. The Project Management Support Senior Officer will work in close collaboration with the support services within the Multi-Country Office to successfully deliver programme outcomes. 

The Project Management Support - Senior Officer will support the Project Manager in creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner. 

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

2. Procedures 

3. Monitoring and reporting

4. Stakeholder engagement and coordination

5. Knowledge management and innovation 

1. Project Delivery and Performance 

• Support activities during the inception, implementation and closure phases of the Project, Support in the implementation and update of the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board

• Support to ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures,so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved

• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS

• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span. 

2. Procedures

• Ensure that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)

• Provide timely, accurate, and quality inputs needed for monitoring of the project’s performance, outputs and benefits as required by the Project Manager 

• Address relevant requests from the Project Management Office and the Head of Programme

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Support the reporting to the Project Board and provide updates and information as required to the Project Advisory Board

• Maintain diaries and in-country progress status updates as required by the organization’s standard procedures.

• Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality) and inform the Project Manager in case of irregularity.

• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system

• Contribute to  update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

• Collect data for the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, provide M&E reports

4. Stakeholder engagement and coordination

• Act as country coordinator to oversee and coordinate the in-country implementation to conduct assessments, identify and implement the strategies agreed in the country;

• Prepare proposals, contribute and provide technical feedback, relating to digital transformation, Smart Islands and other ICT components of the programme, on country studies and coordinate with other national, international and regional experts involved.

• Establish and cultivate partnerships with the key national, regional and local media;

• Follow-up on project plans and documents, goals, deliverables, KPIs and timelines agreed with partners, and support management on allocation of appropriate resources.

• Contribute to the success of  the implementation of Smart Islands programme in the country including needs analysis, stakeholder engagement (at community and national level), design and implement the work plan in identified pilot areas, partnership identification, capacity building and monitoring the implementation of the programme 

• Coordinate and support for the planning development of the project communication outputs;

• Support the enhancement of visibility/promotional material in accordance with the approved communication and visibility plan 

• Monitor Media coverage, and support the implementation of the outreach and communication strategy

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted 

• Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. 

• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

Impact of Results

Project Management Support - Senior Officer directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of  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 

• Postgraduate (Advanced) accredited university degree (master or equivalent) in Engineering, Digital Management, Digital Media, Information Technology, Telecommunications, Business Administration, International Administration, Project Management or related fields is required.

• Undergraduate university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) with minimum four (4) years experience or Technical diploma with minimum six (6) years experience in any of the above mentioned fields may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.

Certification

• Project Management certification PRINCE2 Foundation is an asset. 

Experience

• A minimum of two (2) years or more relevant practical project management experience or in related fields with advanced university degree (master or equivalent) is required.

• Experience in project management support, administration and procurement and coordination with multi-stakeholders or related field is required.

• Experience in digital government services at local or international level is a strong asset.

• Experience in writing project progress reports, communication strategies and M&E frameworks is an asset.

• Experience working with UNOPS, UN or other humanitarian/development agencies is an asset.

• Familiarity with Google Workspace (G Suite applications) is desirable. 

Language

• Fluency in English is required. 

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
  
• 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.  
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• 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.