Programme Management Advisor (Infrastructure)

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (SEAMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (SEAMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. SEAMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  SEAMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, SEAMCO Indonesia,  SEAMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, SEAMCO Papua New Guinea, SEAMCO China, SEAMCO Vietnam, SEAMCO Lao PDR, SEAMCO Philippines and SEAMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS SEAMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.  

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

Operational Context

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the MCO Infrastructure Advisor acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of infrastructure project development and implementation,  ensuring that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire MCO and beyond.

Summary of Key Functions  

1. Technical Advice & Quality Assurance

2. Implementation Support

3. Partnerships Development Support

4. Knowledge Sharing and Technical leadership

5. Project Management Technical Advice and Implementation Support

Duties and Responsibilities 

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Head of Programme, the incumbent responsibilities include the following: 

1. Technical Advice & Quality Assurance

• Provide technical advice and a quality assurance framework within the MCO in relation to  infrastructure projects;

• Provide advice with regard to the preparation of  technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, bidding documentation, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, construction planning and programming, and assessments of contractors' technical capacity to deliver

• Assessment of the quality of design and construction;

• Advising the MCO Senior Management Teams regarding compliance with UNOPS Health and Safety and Environmental Management System

2. Implementation Support

• Oversight on the Programme/Project & Team managers in the implementation of infrastructure projects;

• Advise infrastructure practitioners on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices;

• Advising Project Teams regarding design considerations and design review requirements, and being aware of the capacity and capabilities of the various in-house units across the Organisation

• Support with the identification, engagement and management of local and regional consultancy firms providing these services

• Support project teams providing substantive inputs and ensuring the quality of all Infrastructure projects’ Plans: Quality Plans, Project Implementation Plan, HSSE Plans, GEDI Plans and any other relevant Plan.

3.       Partnerships Development Support

• Support the Partnership Development & Strategic positioning agenda in the MCO through her/his expertise, regional contacts and demonstrated ability

• Represent UNOPS at appropriate regional or country level forum 

• Review proposals for infrastructure projects in the MCO as appropriate, providing advice to the MCO Director, Country Managers and Head of Programme

• S/he will provide advice and support on new initiatives, with focus on quality assurance and quality control of project documents, costing and cost implications, implementation plans, milestones and benchmark indicators

• S/he will advise and assist with technical input to proposals, including project planning, governance, and approach considerations

4.       Knowledge Sharing and Technical leadership

• Dissemination of training for corporate guidance and instructions that impact infrastructure practitioners, as required

• Ensure best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the MCO and within the organization more generally.

• S/he will contribute to the knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples from the region, making recommendations on policy and tools, as well as contributing to the development of guidance material and tools in Coordination with the Regional Infrastructure Advisor;

• Undertake missions to Countries and project sites to review and advise with regard to quality and progress related issues, and highlight operational problems, within the MCO.

• S/he will provide expertise and support in implementation of standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, OH&S, EMS etc.

5.       Project Management Technical Advice and Implementation Support 

• The incumbent will provide substantive support to Programme Managers/Project Managers/Team Managers in the planning and implementation of projects and programmes throughout their whole life cycle within the SEAMCO 

• S/he will be responsible for providing advice to projects or programmes that may need to be brought back to stability.

• Provide advice to Head of Programme, Programme Managers, Project Managers and Heads of PMO on how to embed best practices of project and programme governance, risk management, project and programme management in the projects and how to improve the quarterly assurance

• Advise and provide expertise/support in the implementation of SEAMCO Project and Programme Management methodologies, which are based on best practices as recommended by PMI and PRINCE2®

• Play a crucial role in advising SEAMCO Head of Programme, Country Managers  and Project Managers on measures to strengthen national capacity building with regards to sustainable project management best practices, as well as other cross cutting issues, and support a stronger focus on benefit management of projects.

• Assist with the development of work plans and provide tangible support in helping the MCO in  achieving an higher level of Maturity in Infrastructure Projects

• In coordination with the Head of Programme, the Infrastructure Advisor will deliver project/programme maturity model assessments and follow-up missions, and provide advisory support to field staff on UNOPS best practices, engagement risks, management models, and use of PM tools and systems.

Education: 

• An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent such as MEng, MASc) or professional certification in Civil Engineering (CEng, PE, P. Eng.) is required;

• A first-level University degree (Bachelor's or equivalent such as BEng, BASc) in combination with two (2) additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certifications:

• Certification in a recognized project management methodology, preferably PRINCE2® or PMP and knowledge of programme management methodology (e.g. MSP®) is recommended.

Experience: 

• A minimum of seven (7) years progressive work experience in an Engineering and/or Construction Management role including minimum three (3) years at senior level is required.

• A minimum of five (5) years progressive work experience in Project Management is required.

• Experience of working in developing countries in an international environment is highly desired. 

• Experience of working in and providing innovative technical solutions for post-conflict, post-disaster environments will be an asset. 

• Previous experience in South East Asia and Pacific is desirable

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is required. 

1. Contract type: Individual Contractual Agreement (ICA)
2. Contract level: ICS 11/IICA 3
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.