Project Management Support Specialist - Capacity Building

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO)

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. These countries include Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea and several island states. KEMC focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services in those countries. Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries across East and South Africa. The Project will fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC.

In 2018, INL began the East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EA TOC) Regional Program in response to the increased trafficking of Afghan-produced heroin trafficked through East and Southern Africa along the “Southern Route.”  Initial funding focused on building the capacity of national-level counternarcotics units in Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania to investigate and prosecute drug cases. Given that illicit goods are transported through the Western Indian Ocean, the EA TOC program expanded its support to include programs to improve the interdiction, investigation, and prosecution of maritime crimes. Countries benefiting from the program may include: Djibouti, Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, and Tanzania. 

The proposed UNOPS project will provide needed advisory, procurement, and logistics support for the EA TOC program throughout the entire region. UNOPS advisors will provide mentorship and guidance on key EA TOC issues, including maritime security, law enforcement, and rule of law. The project will also work on logistics and procurements to further support EA TOC efforts, particularly for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). 

Through the INL TOC project under the advisory services component, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) East Africa Transnational Organized Crime (EA TOC) program has requested UNOPS to provide necessary supports enhancing the project management capacity and strategic governance of its partner beneficiary KCGS, Kenya Coast Guard Service.

The Kenya Coast Guard Service is responsible for maritime law enforcement and safety in Kenyan waters. However, during its formative and interim phase, she faces challenges in developing its doctrine, internal policies and project management capabilities. This has led to difficulties in coordinating and integrating international partnerships, causing issues such as a lack of centralization in project management, the inability to sustain project outcomes, and a lack of strategic governance that is future looking.

In response to the request, UNOPS is seeking a qualified and experienced Project Management Support Specialist to embed within the KCGS, Kenya Coast Guard Service to enhance its project management capacity and strategic governance. The specialist will be responsible for conducting a needs assessment, developing a capacity building plan, and implementing a project management plan to address the identified gaps. 

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will enhance the sustainable project management capacity within the KCGS, making the KCGS more efficient in planning, implementing agency institutional development projects, and achieving its operational goals.  The duty station will be Mombasa, Kenya (Family duty station).

The incumbent will accomplish this by performing the following duties:

• Conduct a needs assessment to identify the KCGS's current project management capabilities and gaps.

• Analyze existing assessment reports, if available, and research capacity building needs and gaps.

• Liaise with relevant stakeholders, including key KCGS personnel, to understand strategic perspectives and capacity building needs.

• Develop a capacity building plan, in cooperation with the KCGS, including an estimated budget and timeline, to address the KCGS's identified needs and gaps.

• Assist in the formulation of maritime security policies and strategies in alignment with national and international frameworks

• Develop a project management plan that outlines the necessary steps for implementing a project management framework within the KCGS that improves the success rates of projects within the organization.

• Implement the capacity building plan and project management framework, providing ongoing support to the KCGS.

• Ensure timely delivery of all capacity building activities, with effective risk and issue management.

• Regularly monitor and mainstream project outcomes into routine operations.

• Provide strategic governance over the project management function.

• Train and mentor internal staff (4 – 6) KCGS, ensuring that project management knowledge and skills are embedded within the organization for the long term.

Deliverables:

The specialist will be responsible for delivering the followings:

1. A needs assessment report identifying the KCGS's current project management capabilities, needs, and gaps.

2. A capacity building plan, including an estimated budget and timeline.

3. A project management plan outlining the steps for implementing a project management framework.

4. A project management implementation plan, with regular evaluation and monitoring.

5. A final report summarizing project findings and recommendations for capacity sustainability.

6. A small, sustained Project Management cell (Director’s Initiative Group) within the KCGS organogram, approved by KCGS leadership.

7. Development of the KCGS Service Doctrine.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration or other relevant field is required;

• An additional 2 years of relevant work experience in combination with a relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced university degree.

• 2 years demonstrable working experience in training trainers is required

• 5 years of experience in project management, with an advantage given to international development sector experience is required

• Proficiency with various project management methodologies and tools is desirable

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills is desirable

• Demonstrable working background in maritime law enforcement desired.

• Experience in project management roles within a maritime service will be an added advantage.

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures an advantage;

• Proficiency in computer skills, including Microsoft Office and G Suite is desirable

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification is desired

Language requirement:

• Fluency in written and oral English is required

• Knowledge of another official UN official language is an asset

Contract type:  International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA-2/ ICS10
Contract duration: Short-Term ICA – Maximum duration 6 months

• 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.