Contracts Management Officer - Peace and Security Cluster (ICS-10)

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) within the Global Portfolio Services Office is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies.  A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order.   Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement).

• Represent UNOPS Portfolio Managers in the field vis-à-vis subcontractors, clients, national authorities and other external parties to the programme with regards to UNOPS implemented projects.
• Under the guidance of the Programme Manager act as negotiator of Mine Action projects in country on behalf of UNOPS. Prepare Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), Statement of Works (SoW), Contracts and other documents required for project implementation in cooperation with UNOPS legal specialists and portfolio Managers as needed.
• Assist in international bidding processes.
• Under the direction of UNOPS NAO PSC manage the pre-qualification and short-listing of bidders, preparations of bids, issuance of bids, pre-bid conference, receipt and opening of bids, bid evaluation, submission to UNOPS HQCPC (Headquarters Contracts and Property Committee) for recommendation of award, contracts negotiations, contract finalization and issuance.
• Develop a management plan for all UNOPS mine action contracts in country including, but not limited to, verification of insurance and goods procured, evaluation of subcontractor’s personnel qualifications, monitoring delivery of contractual terms, certification of reports and payments, and issue of contract amendments, verification of services delivered against contractual requirements, alignment of specifications and standards. Provide objective oversight over various contract management processes and ensure their transparency.
• Develop and implement systems for internal control that would ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, in collaboration with the operations team. 
• Make recommendations to the portfolio Manager for payments upon review of reports and comments from the Operations.
• Monitor and analyze contract performance against agreed benchmarks and through agreed reporting mechanism. Advise senior management on any potential issues and recommend remedial actions or solutions. 
• Negotiate, within the terms and conditions of the contract, solutions to conflicts/problems arising in case of poor performance or non-compliance with contractual obligations. 
• Frequently convene meetings with contractors to allow ample opportunity for the identification and early resolution of potential disputes. 
• Coordinate with staff conducting activities required by the contract including logistical support, accreditation, licensing, verification of goods, monitoring of activities and performance of the subcontractors.
• Ensure full compliance of procurement /contracting activities within UN/UNOPS rules, regulations, policies and strategies – and manage under the direction of Portfolio Manager in Peace and Security  Unit the implementation of harmonized procurement, contracting services and elaboration of Statement of Works developed in conjunction with Operations and Support Services Departments.
• Conduct UNOPS procurement/contracting business processes mapping and elaboration/establishment of internal Standards Works Procedures (SWPs) on procurement of services and contract management.
• Realize syntheses of lessons learnt and best practices in procurement /contract management.
• Ensure key meetings and work procedures are properly documented and institutionalized.
• Develop appropriate contract management tools, guidelines and manuals for standardization and knowledge sharing purposes.
• Engage and involve government counterparts as appropriate, to facilitate contract management as well as to contribute to the capacity building plan.
• Depending on a role this position will be assigned to within the project administration setup in a specific country/programme (i.e. office structure, DOAs, ATLAS functions, segregation of duties, etc.), the incumbent will have responsibilities determined by UNOPS rules and regulations embodied in its regulatory framework - Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions and other documents as periodically issued and updated by UNOPS. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to UNOPS Director Peace and Security Cluster through Portfolio Manager. In addition, division of responsibilities when it comes to administrative processes in support of the programme objectives will be as determined for each country office and confirmed in writing by UNOPS Director of Peace and Security Cluster.
• Implement any other tasks requested by the Programme Manager and Portfolio Manager of UNOPS.

• Teamwork Skills – Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 
• Organising and Quality Orientation – Ability to manage, organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines. 
• Decision Making – Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment and decision making skills.
• Communication Skill – Strong spoken and written communication skills.
• Creativity and Innovation – Strong analytical and problem solving skills and ability to handle a range of management and coordination issues.
• Ability to Learn – Willingness to keep abreast of new developments.
• Lives and Breathes UNOPS Values – Takes ownership for all responsibilities and honours commitments.

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree or equivalent) in a related field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience; or a first level University degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) in a related field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience (minimum of 7 years in total) may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;
• Minimum of 5 years relevant experience with a minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible professional experience in contracts management matters;
• Thorough knowledge of UN financial rules and regulations is highly desirable;
• Experience in project management is highly desirable;
• Knowledge of Mine Action highly desirable;
• Ability to effectively work in a multicultural environment is required;
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is highly desirable;
• Flexibility and adaptability to work under pressure and meet specific deadlines;
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment;
• Computer literacy.

• Fluency in spoken and written English;

  or fluency in spoken and written French and intermediate fluency in English;

  or  fluency in spoken and written Spanish and intermediate fluency in English;

  or fluency in spoken and written Arabic and intermediate fluency in English