Country Manager

UNOPS CMDCO - Multi Country Office is recruiting for this position: Country Manager based in Bangui, CAR..

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.

Democratic Republic of Congo Multi-Project Office (CDMCO)

The Democratic Republic of Congo Multi-Project Office (CDMCO) is responsible for developing, delivering, managing and implementing a portfolio of projects and programmes spread across 15 countries - Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Madagascar, Republic of Congo, and Rwanda - and includes 5 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) - Cape Verde, Comoros, Mauritius, Sao Tome & Principe, and Seychelles.

The CDMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of organizational processes and quality standards across all of the countries served by the Office, including the country (DRC) where the MCO is based.

The Central African Republic (CAR) Project Office

The Central African Republic (CAR) Project Office has a growing portfolio of over 100 million USD in projects, with more than 100 personnel. The portfolio of the CAR Project Office has a range for projects, including: infrastructure rehabilitation and construction to multi-sectoral projects for social protection and peace and security.

The CAR Project Office operates as an integral part of the CDMCO management structure.

As part of the CDMCO, the CAR Project Office is responsible for developing, delivering and managing a large-sized portfolio of engagements and cost-effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievement of UNOPS management results.

Currently, CAR Project Office manages a portfolio of over $100 million, with 9 ongoing projects of diverse sectors and service types and over 100 personnel. The office has a strong business and partner opportunity pipeline in place.

The Role

Based in Bangui, the CAR Country Manager reports to the CDMCO Director who provides strategic direction, oversight, and guidance and the Head of Programme as secondary supervisor.

The CAR Country Manager also works in close collaboration with the MCO Head of Support Services.

1. People leadership
2. Project Office portfolio management
3. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
4. Service delivery and quality assurance
5. Representation and inter-agency partnership
6. Knowledge management and innovation.

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the Project Office.
• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, 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.
• 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.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.

2. Project Office portfolio management

• Under the guidance and oversight from the MCO Director and the Head of Programme, develop proposals and prepare project agreements in connection with identified opportunities.
• Plan and propose to the Multi Project Office Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.
• Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Office.
• In collaboration with the partners, develop the objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner-oriented services.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel within the respective area of responsibility. 
• Under the guidance from the MCO Director and with the support of the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, the Country Manager manages the overall HSSE performance in the Project Office while overseeing the implementation of all HSSE requirements
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation, including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and under the guidance from the Multi Project Office Director) areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep the Multi Project Office Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.

• In close collaboration with the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for ensuring excellence of business processes and quality standards as well as ensure direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.
• Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Multi Project Office, for action and/or intervention.
• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Project Office, including submitting financial reports to the Multi Project Office Director. 

• Participate, as delegated by the Multi Project Office Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonization of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNSDCF, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.
• On behalf of the MCO Director, participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.
• In alignment with the MCO Director, keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within [country name] through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF or equivalent. 

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national development planning and knowledge building. Plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in International Development/Relations, Engineering, Project Management, Economics, Social Studies, Business Studies/Management, or other equivalent fields combined with seven (7) years of relevant experience

• A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent)  in International Development/Relations, Engineering, Project Management, Economics, Social Studies, Business Studies/Management combined with nine (9) years of relevant experience is required.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations, and/or project/programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.
• At least three (3) years of progressive leadership experience including supervising teams and managing large budgets is required.
• Engineering experience and experience in managing complex infrastructure projects and programs is required.
• Experience managing medium to large teams, including management of senior professional staff is a distinct advantage.
• Experience in a humanitarian context is highly desirable.
• Experience partnering with the public/private sector on developing, implementing, and/or evaluating projects and programs of high national relevance is a distinct advantage.
• Experience in the UN/UNOPS system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.
• A strong ability to collaborate, network, and negotiate with local partners, government officials, donors, and other NGOs is an added advantage.
• Working experience and/or knowledge of Africa specifically in Central Africa is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English and French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

1. Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment (Staff).
2. Contract level: P4 /ICS 11
3. Contract duration: One year renewable subject to satisfactory performance and budget availability

• 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.