Support Services Manager (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.  UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  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 ESAMCO(East & Southern Africa Multi-Country Office) is responsible for developing, delivering, managing and implementing a portfolio of projects and programmes spread across multiple countries.  The ESAMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of organizational processes and quality standards across all of the countries served by the Office, including the country where the Multi- Country Office (MCO) is based.

The Mozambique Office operates as an integral part of the ESAMCO management structure.

As part of the ESAMCO, the Mozambique Office  is responsible for developing, delivering and managing a portfolio of engagements and cost effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievement of UNOPS management results. The Mozambique Office  manages the operational risks associated with the office’s portfolio of engagements.

The Support Services Manager reports to the Country Manager and leads and guides the Support Services Team, fosters collaboration within the team as well as the client-oriented approach. The Support Services Manager works in close collaboration with a number of local internal stakeholders, relevant partners as well as colleagues in HQ - to successfully deliver operations services.

The Support Services Manager acts as an advisor to Senior Management on all aspects of the office management and operations. This includes strategic financial and human resources management, efficient procurement and logistical services, ICT, transportation and vehicle management, administration and security, in accordance with UNOPS rules and regulations. The main purpose of the role is to ensure the right support is in place for current and upcoming projects, balancing operational and project priorities, whilst ensuring effective, efficient and consistent support service provision across the project portfolio and internally.

1. Operations management

2. Project planning and coordination support

3. Procurement and logistics

4. Financial management

5. Human Resources Management

6. Administration and Information Technology

7. Knowledge Management

1. Operations management

• Management of the Operations/Support Services of the Office, namely HR Management, Finance, Procurement, Logistical, Administrative and ICT Services - facilitating effective, efficient and consistent support service provision to projects and all activities under the Office.

• Support the Country Manager in establishing the management targets. Monitor their achievement.

• Collaborate with relevant colleagues to identify the need, determine cost and pro-actively plan all Office support services. 

• Monitor and supervise all aspects of operations to ensure compliance with corporate strategies, UNOPS rules, regulations, policies, and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity and achievement of results. Ensure proper implementation of standards and operating procedures.

• Monitor effectiveness of support services, to ensure optimum client service and satisfaction. Drive timely readjustment and improvements of the operations.

• Seek relevant input in support, from e.g. HoSS(Head of Support Services)  in place for the Multi Country Office, IPAS, and Practice Groups.

• Act as focal point for any internal/external audit exercise.

• Supervision of the Security related matters and ensuring full compliance with UNOPS security standards and procedures. Implementation of the Business continuity plan.

2.  Project planning and coordination support

• Provide assistance and support to the project budget preparation, revisions and work planning.

• Provide input into the early stages of project engagements.

• Provide advice on goal setting, targets and performance standards for projects and recommend tools for monitoring, evaluation and auditing.

• Provide advice on project cost sharing, deployment of funds and closure.

• Closely liaise with the Head of Support Services for the Multi Country Office, in order to optimize service delivery and address any issues.

3. Procurement and logistics

• Supervise the Office procurement processes, including tendering processes and evaluation and supplier selection, to ensure viable procurement solutions that meet operational needs and compliance with UNOPS procurement procedures, regulations and standard of accountability, ethics, integrity and performance.

• Establishment of shortlist of suitable contractors/suppliers, and the preparation and issue of local tenders. Evaluation of bids or proposals received and of recommendations for contract awards.

• In consultation with relevant colleague, review, administer and issue contracts, agreements/amendments.

• Provision of guidance on all logistics, asset management and procurement matters. Oversee the logistics of goods and equipment on project sites to confirm delivery and safe warehousing.

• Establishment and management of a vehicle pool for providing transportation services as required by the Office as well as to meet logistical needs.

• Development and implementation of a vehicle management and maintenance system in accordance with UNOPS vehicle management policy and procedures;

• Repair and maintenance for all equipment including EDP equipment, communications equipment, vehicles and generators, etc.

• Building management and maintenance activities.

4. Financial management

• Support the Country Manager in preparation of the Office financial plan and budget. Ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds.

• Oversee the Support Services finance unit and ensure compliance with the UNOPS/Financial Rules & Regulations and Finance procedures.

• Monitor, track and control expenditure to ensure optimum and appropriate use of financial resources. 

• Ensure the availability of required financial reports and exception reports including investigating anomalies to resolve problems, reporting or recommending any action required to relevant stakeholders.

• Supervise the timely review, posting and closure of accounts. Certify/verify accuracy and compliance with standards of accountability framework. Submit/prepare mandated report on financial status.

• Supervise all financial services (accounting, cash management, payments etc.) ensuring timeliness and compliance with standards of accountability and performance.

• Monitor the Management Budget expenditures for the Office and ensure that LMDC (Locally Managed Direct Cost) is properly recovered, billed and spent in accordance with the applicable procedures.

5. Human Resources management

• Oversee the Support Services HR(Human Resources) Unit.

• Ensure the Office complies with corporate human resources policies, procedures and that all corporate HR initiatives are correctly implemented.

• Support the Country Manager in planning personnel required for the optimal administration of the office and for the delivery of the Office portfolio.

• Oversee all human resource services/processes including recruitment, salary administration and compensation, performance review, training and development, ensuring compliance with human resource rules, regulations, procedures and standards of performance and ensuring that hiring managers actively seek to create diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.

• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility. Definition of training plans for personnel involved in the delivery of support services.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

6. Administration and Information Technology (ICT) 

• Manage the timely and efficient delivery of all administrative services, (e.g. centralized project admin, premises and asset management, organizational and personnel security, travel and IT).

• Full compliance of operations of the Country with UNOPS rules, regulations and policies, on administrative matters and supervision of the administrative team.

• Maintenance of a secure, reliable infrastructure environment for ICT and adequate planning for disasters and recoveries, supervision of the ICT Associate.

• In close collaboration with HQ(Head Quarters) and HoSS for the Multi Country Office, support the maintenance of a secure and reliable ICT environment, including adequate plans for disaster recovery.

• Manage the acquisition, maintenance, inventory, recording, verification and protection of project and administrative facilities/assets, including IT infrastructure, equipment and servers.

• Identify opportunities for leveraging the use of IT to enhance business operations and efficiency and to facilitate knowledge management, and information sharing.

7. Knowledge Management

• Knowledge building and sharing with regards to management and operations in the Office, synthesis of lessons learnt/best practices, and sound contributions to UNOPS knowledge management initiatives.

• Development of tools and platforms for operations and data management, ensuring information and knowledge sharing with colleagues, clients and partners.

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Support Services Manager for the Office directly impact on the development and performance of the projects, visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Finance, Economics, HR or related field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement, IICA2 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: 12 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.

• This position is based on Maputo, Mozambique which is a 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.