Head of Programme

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices in the region, providing programmatic oversight of Global and Country specific Portfolios, Clusters and Operations Centers including hosting services, fund management, management advisory services and implementing projects. ECR ensures that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between business unites and projects across the entire region.

ECR strategy is to:

• Strengthen UNOPS role in Operationalizing the Sustainable Development Goals with particular emphasis on health, environment and economic development
• Position UNOPS in Balkan sub region,  Eastern Europe, Caucuses and Central Asia as per ECR 2016 Business Development Strategy
• Strengthen means of implementation of ECR Global and Regional programmes  with revitalized partnerships in Infrastructure, Procurement and Project Management

UNOPS has been present in the Republic of Serbia since 2000. The projects it implemented, primarily funded by the European Union (EU), Government of Switzerland and Norway, contributed to the efforts of the Government of Serbia to conduct demanding socio-economic reforms and in this way to facilitate European integrations. UNOPS has five fully equipped project offices in Serbia: two in Belgrade, one in Niš, one in Vranje and one in Novi Pazar. UNOPS’ key partners are the Government of the Republic of Serbia and its line ministries and institutions, cities and municipalities, regional development agencies, civil society organisations.

In general all the activities RSOC is currently involved in and has potentials for further business development in Serbia can be categorised as follows:

• Local economic development
• Universal primary education
• Improved health and social care
• Gender equality and empowerment of women
• Enhanced national and local capacity
• Environmental sustainability
• Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Response.

1.      Programme governance, implementation and monitoring

• Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the RSOC Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
• Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client oriented services.
• Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
• Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization’s standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.
• Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
• Develop and implement the programme governance framework.

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner an asset, but required completion within first 6 months of onboarding.
• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) an asset.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in managing projects, programmes, partnerships and business development that combines strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, management advisory services, fund management, executive management and/or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization.
• Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable.
• Previous experience from the region is an asset.
• Experience working with EU funded projects is required.
• Experience working with key stakeholder coordination, donor relationships management and business development is required. 

• Fluency in English is required. 
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.