Country Manager

***We are reopening this vacancy announcement to expand the pool by allowing external applicants to apply too. If you have already applied, you do not need to reapply; your previously submitted application will be considered.

UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO 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. EAPMCO 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 EAPMCOs: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 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.

UNOPS in Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was formed in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.  As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time.  Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people. 

The EAPMCO PNG operates as an integral part of the EAPMCO management structure.

As part of the EAPMCO, the EAPMCO PNG is responsible for developing, delivering and managing a mid-to-large-sized portfolio of engagements and cost effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results. 

At UNOPS, Project Office portfolio size is determined by a mix of internal and external drivers, including value of engagements and prevailing humanitarian and geo-political contexts.

The EAPMCO PNG also manages the operational risks associated with the office’s portfolio of engagements.

The Role

The Country Manager reports to the Multi Country Office Director who provides strategic direction, oversight and guidance. 

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

The Country Manager is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and supervising the delivery of engagements and operations in the country - including liaison and engagement development activities as well as delivering timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

Education:

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in International Development, International Relations, Business Administration, or relevant fields combined with ten (10) years of relevant experience OR 

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

Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years (for advanced university degree holders) or twelve (12) years (for first level university degree holders) of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or project/programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization.  

• Experience in a leadership position or at a senior managerial level is required.

• Experience working in fragile contexts or environments is considered an asset.

• Experience managing medium to large teams, including management of senior professional staff is a distinct advantage.

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

• Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Language Requirements:

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.

• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

1. Contract type: Staff (Fixed Term Appointment-FTA)
2. Contract level: ICS 12 / P5
3. Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

• Port Moresby is a family duty station with R&R (hardship leave). 

• 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.