Director - Multi Country Office (Internal Candidates Only)

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors, and United Nations organizations. 

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

The Central Africa Multi-Country Office (CAMCO) is one of five MCOs within the Africa Region in UNOPS. Reporting to and under the general guidance and oversight from the Regional Director, the MCO Director directs and manages all delivery and operations under the Multi-Country Office scope - which includes liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

The MCO Director represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in Cameron, DRC, CAR, Gabon, Republique of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and SIDS in Africa.

Central Africa MCO (CAMCO)

The Central Africa Multi-Country Office (CAMCO) is one of five MCOs within the Africa Region in UNOPS. Reporting to and under the general guidance and oversight from the Regional Director, the MCO Director directs and manages all delivery and operations under the Multi-Country Office scope - which includes liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

The Role

Reporting to the Regional Director (RD), the MCO Director directs and manages all delivery and operations under the MCO’s scope - including liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders. 

The MCO Director represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in Cameron, DRC, CAR, Gabon, Republique of the Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, and SIDS in Africa.


Kinshasa, DRC is currently a non-family duty station

Summary of functions:

1. People leadership

2. Multi Country Office portfolio management

3. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

4. Service delivery and quality assurance

5. Representation and inter-agency coordination

6. Knowledge management and innovation

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Multi Country Office (MCO) locations.

• 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

Multi Country Office portfolio management 

• Develop the strategy for the entire Multi Country Office, establish priorities and oversee the implementation of the portfolio , managing the operational risks associated with the Multi Country Office portfolio of engagements. 

• Lead the delivery of the UNOPS strategic plan through the MCO annual plan.

• In collaboration with the MCO team and partners, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner-oriented services. 

• Guide, endorse and oversee the proposals and project document agreements in connection with identified opportunities across the Multi Country Office.

• Set and endorse the objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner-oriented services across the Multi Country Office

• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.

• Plan, propose to the Regional Director and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework. 

• Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority.

• Is responsible for managing the overall HSSE performance across the entire MCO while holding the accountability for the implementation of all HSSE requirements.

• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, assets, property and information within the respective area of responsibility.  

• 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.

Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

• Keep abreast and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them 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 in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new and existing partners.

• Keep Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and business development in the geographical area.

Service delivery and quality assurance

• With the support from the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, ensure appropriate arrangements for building excellence of business processes and quality standards. 

• Build capability and ensure direct operational support for the units within the MCO.

• Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Multi Country Office portfolio(s) according to partner expectations, approved budgets and full cost recovery. 

• Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Multi Country Office portfolio

• Provide advice to the Regional Director, peers and Country Managers on opportunities to further enhance UNOPS’ contribution to the achievement of partners results in the geographical area.

• ensure internal performance and quality management for the Multi Country Office, including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.

• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of the Multi Country Office with organizational/regional strategy and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability, and ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

Representation and inter-agency coordination

• Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization, influence policy discussion and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.

• Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT), and support the UNCT programming and advocacy activities.

• Participate actively and effectively in UNCT meetings, and contribute to the formulation and implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Integrated Strategic Framework, and Delivering as One within the country of the main office for the Multi Country Office.

• Is accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT, makes substantial contributions to the UNCT’s work, and assumes a leadership role as relates to UNOPS’ mandate.

• Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness, including ensuring UNOPS active role in the Operations Management Teams (OMTs) and other senior management groups of the country team.

• Keep UN Resident Coordinator abreast of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication, including a formal regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF.

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) combined with ten (10) years of relevant experience 

• A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) combined with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is required

• A minimum of  ten (10) years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.   

• At least three (3) years of senior leadership experience including supervising senior professional staff and managing financial sustainability of operations, including at least 2 years in a country office. 

• Experience working in developing countries is desirable.

• Experience in hardship or post conflict environments is desirable.

• Experience partnering with the public sector on developing, implementing and/or evaluating projects and programs of high national relevance is a distinctive advantage

Contract type : Temporary Appointment (TA-Staff)

Contract level:  D1/ICS 13

Contract duration: Three (3) months initially

• 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.

• Kinshasa, DRC is currently a non-family duty station

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.

Located in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) the UNOPS Congo Democratic Multi-Country Office (UNOPS CDMCO) covers 15 countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comores, Congo Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, and Seychelles. CDMCO has close to a $400million portfolio, comprising over 42 projects close to 250 personnel. Growth and geographical expansion are key priorities for CDMCO, with special attention to the African SIDS: Cape Verde, Comoros, Mauritius, Sao Tome & Principe, Seychelles as well as on growth and consolidation of those lagging in portfolio development such as Angola, Cameroon, Burundi, and Rwanda.