Project Management Support, Senior Officer

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Managed by a Secretariat based in Brussels, it is a unique partnership with a diverse membership which has 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, which supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Through UNOPS, the Cities Alliance operates a Multi-Donor Fund supported by an efficient, flexible grant-making mechanism with global reach.

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 looking for a Local Advisor for the implementation of the SUIDAC project in the West Nile region, specifically Arua and Koboko.

Starting in 2024 for a period of 48 months, Cities Alliance (UNOPS) will be responsible for the indirect management of the “Sustainable Urban Integration of Displacement-Affected Communities” (SUIDAC) in Sub-Saharan African cities – financed by the European Union. The Action will address the nexus between forced displacement and urban development in five Sub-Saharan countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Uganda.

The Action aims to:

Improve social cohesion and self-reliance of Displacement-Affected Communities (DACs) in urban and peri-urban areas and expand legal protection (e.g., access to rights, documentation), with specific attention to forcibly displaced populations (refugees, returnees, and IDPs) and including persons with specific needs.

Strengthen local authorities’ capacities to adopt integrated approaches to forced displacement management in urban contexts and promote political and evidence-based policy dialogue at regional, national, and local levels to improve policy frameworks and influence future policy discussions on urban forced displacement.

The Action target beneficiaries are Displacement-Affected Communities (DACs), as well as their hosting cities. Cities are a new environment for the implementation of EU forced displacement programs. SUIDAC will be the first urban displacement program financed through the 'Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation instrument – Global Europe' ('NDICI-Global Europe') in the SSA region.

The Action builds on and expands the EU Trust Fund program “CRRF: Inclusive Urban Development and Mobility” ending in 2023. Moving forward, SUIDAC will help tackle the challenges arising from sudden and/or sustained forced displacement currently happening in the secondary cities targeted by the Action

The key responsibility of the Local Advisor is the successful delivery of the SUIDAC Program in Arua and Koboko, Uganda. Working under the supervision of the Uganda Technical Officer, the Local Advisor is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the SUIDAC Program and the implementation of SUIDAC in Arua and Koboko. Under the guidance of the Technical Officer, the Local Advisor will support the implementation of the project, assisting the implementing partners on an ongoing basis during the Initiation and Implementation Stage, ensuring that the project outputs are delivered by the grantees within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals. This position may involve regular travel. 

• Under the oversight from the Technical Officer, develop, complete, and update the implementation plan of SUIDAC in Arua and Koboko.

• Support the implementation of the approved plan for SUIDAC in Arua and Koboko.

• Assist the selected grantees in Arua and Koboko to meet their objectives.

• Ensure regular and successful communication between all project stakeholders in Arua and Koboko.

• Act as a liaison person between Arua and Koboko project grantees and SUIDAC project team.

• Support project synchronization with the Arua and Koboko Municipalities, ensuring that the project deliverables are included in the Municipality Plans.

• Support liaison and mapping of all activities, authorities, and partners implementing similar activities in the region, participate in key events, make presentations when required, and report to the Technical Officer.

• Ensure regular reporting of project-related activities to the Technical Officer, the Program Coordinator, the MEAL Specialist, and the Comms Specialist.

• In coordination with the Technical Officer, manage the SUIDAC grants in Arua and Koboko. Support successful development, implementation, and supervision of assigned grants and work packages.

• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental, and economic aspects into the project lifespan.

• When required, with support from the Technical Officer, assist with the implementation of all HSSE requirements in the activities located in Arua and Koboko and ensure follow-up.

• Support the SUIDAC project team with the organization of national and regional dialogues, ensure the participation of Arua and Koboko’s key stakeholders in the national and regional dialogues, and assist with the production of all supporting documents including event reports.

• Help with the organization of field missions in West Nile, preparation, and reporting for Cities Alliance staff, consultants, donors, and partners.

• When required, provide administrative support in all aspects of project implementation such as organizing workshops, operational support for the Secretariat and partners’ mission in the city.

• Comply with all organizational policies and donor policies and assist grantees to comply with all organizational policies and donor policies.

• Liaise with the Technical Officer and the grantees on the timely and adequate preparation of regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

• In coordination with the Technical Officer, regularly review project status of grantees, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).

• Regular reports evaluation to the Technical Officer. 

• Track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of project’s life span

• Under the leadership of the Technical Officer, establish solid working relationships with the local stakeholders in Arua and Koboko including local authorities, as well as donors, national authorities and key stakeholders.

• Support regular liaison with the Arua and Koboko’s local and regional authorities, identify their challenges and needs and when required help to address them. 

• Support regular internal coordination with the SUIDAC Comms and M&E Specialists as well as with the SUIDAC local advisors. Provide effective communications from the project in Arua and Koboko. 

• Assist in making sure stakeholders are aware of project activities in Arua and Koboko. 

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements

• Under the guidance of the SUIDAC Technical Officer, support the conduct of effective capacity building activities for the grantees and the local teams in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff and program stakeholders.

• Actively interact with the other SUIDAC Local Advisors and the wider Project Team to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

• In collaboration with SUIDAC Comms and MEAL Specialists, 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) preferably  in migration studies, urban development, urban planning, public policy, and administration or related fields, combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree

• A minimum of two (2) years of demonstrated expertise working in the field of  migration and/or urban development is required. 

• A minimum of two (2) years of working experience in Uganda and/or South Sudan is required.

• Previous experience with grant management is considered as an asset. 

• Strong knowledge of sustainable urban growth in secondary cities in the Horn of Africa is an asset.

• An in-depth understanding of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the field of migration and urban development in the Horn of Africa is a distinctive advantage.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Duty station: Arua or Koboko (Duty Station may change).

• Disclaimer : Contract issuance will be subject to the signature of project agreement and availability of funds.
  

• 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. 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.

Contract type: Individual Contractual Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist 9 (LICA 9)
Contract duration: 12 months initially, subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance.