Senior Portfolio Manager / Head of Programme, Multiple positions

Reporting to the Director of PSC, the Senior Portfolio Manager / Head of Programme will carry out following duties:

1. Programme / project design and planning 

• In line with agreed responsibilities with partners and depending on Project Unit capacities, lead and/or oversee the work in developing or contributing to the following types of programme and project design documents: 

• • Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework; stakeholder analysis, risk analysis; resource mobilization strategy; etc.);

  • Programme and Project Plans and Budgets (e.g. nature of threat; logical frameworks; resources required - personnel and equipment; risk management; etc.);

  • Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework; stakeholder analysis, risk analysis; resource mobilization strategy; etc.);

  • Resource Mobilization Strategy and partnership outreach (e.g. monitor trends humanitarian and development needs to identify potential areas of intervention;

  • Project proposals to donors.

• Ensure that projects are implementable from a substantive, financial, and compliance point of view. 

• Manage escalated risks and issues arising in the project / programme development phase.

2. Programme / project implementation and closure

• Oversee projects through the role of Project Executive (including implementation through third-party contractors and grantees), review progress, conduct oversight travel to programmes, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the PSC Director, for action and/or intervention.

• Ensure projects are implemented and closed 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 technical experts as necessary).

• Mentor and assist Project Managers (HPUs) in execution, delivery, and closure of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.

• Manage escalated risks and issues arising during programme / project implementation and closure.

• Support and advise the PSC Director in ensuring the financial sustainability of the Cluster and delivery of desired results, compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance. 

• Submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and Cluster financial goals.

3. Leadership and management 

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible Programme/Project Management and Support Team 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, harassment, sexual harassment 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.

• Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys.

4.  Partnership, networking and advocacy

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.

• Support the partnership  development function by identifying and developing new partnership  opportunities.

• Collaborate with partnership colleagues to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.

• Contribute to current and future growth plans for the PSC Director, ensuring alignment with the UNOP Strategic Plan.

• Support the communication function within PSC to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.

5. Knowledge management and innovation 

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

• Liaise with the portfolio / programme management office (or equivalent) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.

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