In-Country Coordinator - Uganda, Sudan, DRC, South Sudan

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.

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership including – global organizations of local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organizations, foundations, knowledge networks and multilateral organizations – which have come together to strengthen both impacts and coherence in urban development. Cities Alliance is a global leader, with a strong track record in grant making, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Members promote longer-term and integrated work programmes, while actively promoting gender equality throughout all activities.

Cities Alliance provides financial and technical assistance to local city stakeholders in low-income countries to identify and implement approaches for improved local migration management that are relevant to each city’s context. As migration and displacement in developing countries are characterized by informality, Cities Alliance builds partnerships among various constituencies at the local, national, and global levels to jointly identify and negotiate a better way forward. Sustainable urban planning instruments, such as urban expansion planning, are at the forefront of Cities Alliance’s work to provide equitable access to a city for all. The Cities Alliance is seeking leadership for the implementation of its activities in Uganda, Sudan, DRC and South Sudan (TBC).

Key responsibility of the In-Country Coordinator will include the successful implementation of the Cities Alliance portfolio in Uganda, Sudan, DRC and South Sudan (TBC). Currently Cities Alliance is implementing its Global Programme on Cities and Migration in several cities of Uganda (Arua and Koboko), Sudan (Atbara) and DRC (Kananga and Tshikapa). Depending on the Cities Alliance portfolio additional cities in DRC and South Sudan may be added.

Key responsibilities of the In-Country Coordinator include: 

• Support and develop regional, national, and local policy initiatives and dialogues building institutional capacities of policy makers and local authorities on enhanced urban planning and forecasting in the Horn of Africa, lead the creation of local and regional initiatives from Uganda, Sudan, DRC and South Sudan (TBC). 

• Liaise with the regional authorities and national governments of Sudan, Uganda, South Sudan (TBC) and DRC, ensuring programme implementation such as SUIDAC are well integrated with national and regional targets and agendas. 

• Under oversight from the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, and in collaboration with the Urban Specialist in Kampala, support the successful implementation of the Cities Alliance assigned portfolio currently including the SUIDAC in Uganda, Sudan, DRC and South Sudan (TBC). 

• Liaising with the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, to identify partners, develop proposals and prepare project agreements in connection with identified opportunities.

• Ensure successful development, implementation and supervision of assigned grants and work packages. 

• Support and/or conduct field missions of the Secretariat in partner countries.

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national and local governments and other partners operating in the countries and region to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging Cities Alliance activities. 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of Cities Alliance competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.

• Participate, as delegated by the SUIDAC in-country coordinator, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within UNOPS and within  the UN System more broadly.

• Represent the Cities Alliance in Uganda, Sudan,  South Sudan (TBC) and DRC to current and potential project donors, ensure attendance to meetings and compliance with donor requests. 

• When required by the SUIDAC Programme Coordinator, ensure the supervision or secondary supervision of Cities Alliance staff in Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan (TBC) and DRC.  

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability within the Uganda 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.

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure Cities Alliance is continually incorporating best practice approaches.

• In collaboration with Cities Alliance communication team and MEAL team, contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national development planning and knowledge building.

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in migration studies, urban development, urban planning, public policy and administration or related fields is required. 
• A first Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a masters degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated expertise in migration and urban development in the East African region and/or the DRC is required.
• Experience in migration and urban planning is an asset. 
• Demonstrated experience with UNOPS, and experience with grant management is an asset.
• Demonstrated partnership skills with local and central government stakeholders is an asset. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and ability to translate technical findings to advance policy positions, including engaging with and influencing international policy makers, regional media and regional stakeholders is required. 
• Willingness to conduct regular field missions for project supervision particularly in Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan (TBC) and DRC is required

•  Fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is an asset. 

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level: IICA 2/ ICS 10
3. Contract duration : Ongoing contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and continued business needs.  

• 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 

• 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.