Project Management Support - Specialist (Transaction Advisory Procurement and Finance)

Background Information – Philippines

Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organizations to improve access to justice of marginalized groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU. In the health sector, UNOPS works with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law,  and governance sectors.

Project Background Information – SUBATRA

Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) is a 5-year program funded by the European Union, and co-financed by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), through an Agreement with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. SUBATRA contributes to a smooth and timely undertaking of the transition through capacity building of the three branches of the Bangsamoro Government (executive, legislative and judicial) and civil society organizations. This will promote an enabling good governance environment and support the efficient implementation of policies set up by the transition plan, with a focus on capacities that are critical for the sound functioning of interim institutions. These include 

• Output 1: the capacity of the BTA’s executive branch superstructure to drive and coordinate key transitional policies; 

• Output 2: the capacity of the Parliament to exercise its law-making and oversight functions; 

• Output 3: the capacity of the Justice System to adjudicate litigations and improve access to justice, and 

• Output 4: the capacity of the civil society to contribute to a peaceful transition to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The expected outcomes of the project are:

• Overall Objective: To contribute to a peaceful, cohesive, secure, and inclusively developed Mindanao.

• Specific Objective: The establishment of an enabling democratic governance environment for a smooth implementation of the transition in the Bangsamoro Region.

UNOPS is responsible for the provision of logistical and administrative support, which include the organization of training, workshops, seminars, and study tours as well as foreseen procurement of equipment under all 4 expected results including communication and visibility activities. In addition, UNOPS is in charge of the assessment and implementation of the infrastructure component of the Action linked to Outputs 1,2,3, and 4. UNOPS will coordinate and receive policy directions from the EU and abide by decisions and directions provided by the Programme  Steering Committee (PSC) of SUBATRA, in accordance with the matrix of responsibilities, UNOPS rules and procedures and within the budget limit of this Agreement.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been requested to provide technical assistance to the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government in its efforts to establish and implement Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) within the region. The BARMM Government aims to utilize PPPs as a strategic tool to enhance infrastructure development and the delivery of public services.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in direct collaboration with the Project Management Support – Specialist (PPP Strategic Initiatives), the incumbent will be providing technical assistance to Bangsamoro Stakeholders. 

The primary objective of this assignment is to assist BARMM Government particularly in establishing a mechanism to finance, process, and procure transaction advisory support for PPP projects developed in the region. 

The incumbent will undertake the following tasks:

1. PPP Guidelines for Transaction Advisory Procurement and Finance

• Support BARMM Government in drafting policies related to transaction advisory acquisition.

• Support BARMM Government in drafting rules and procedures for appraising proposals for transaction advisory.

• Support BARMM Government in financial analysis. 

2. Capacity Building

• Provide mentorship and technical support to enhance the capacity of BARMM Government agencies in areas including procurement of Transaction Advisory support and Financial Analysis.

• Provide technical support to the BARMM Government in establishing a body to oversee the procurement and management of transaction advisory services to be acquired for PPP projects.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

• Support consultations and engagements with key stakeholders, including private sector representatives, civil society organizations, and development partners, to ensure transparency and inclusivity in the PPP process.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in Public Policy, Finance, Development Studies, Public Administration, Law, or relevant discipline, is required.

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with seven (7) years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).

• At least 5 years experience in government procurement procedures, transaction advisory management, monitoring and evaluation, project development or government policymaking procedures in the Philippines is required.

• Expert knowledge of consultancy procurement regulations, PPPs and transaction is desirable.

• Experience working in BARMM is an asset.

• Experience in policymaking, writing and mentoring skills is preferred.

• Full working knowledge of English is required. 

• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA) Retainer
Contract level: ICS-10 / LICA-10
Contract duration: Twelve (12) month Retainer contract with the maximum of 100 working days.

Disclaimer: 
This is not a full-time position. Retainers may be requested to carry out tasks on an intermittent and need basis. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.