Senior Portfolio Specialist (Internal Candidates Only)

Brussels

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Brussels
Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Communication and Public Information
- Information Technology and Computer Science
- Programme Management
- Project and Programme Management
Closing Date: Closed

Background information- ECR

Based in Geneva, the Europe and Central Asia Regional Office (ECR) supports UNOPS offices throughout the region through: management, financial and programmatic oversight of global and country-specific portfolios, clusters and operations centres, including hosting services; fund and management advisory services; project implementation; procuring goods and services; and managing human resources.

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 units and projects across the entire region.

Background information- Cities Alliance

Cities Alliance, which is hosted by UNOPS, is a global partnership for the promotion of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Headquartered in Brussels, and supported by a Secretariat, it is a unique partnership with diverse members – local authorities, national governments, international non-governmental organisations, foundations and multi-lateral organisations – which have 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, that supports strategic city planning, slum upgrading strategies and national policies designed to make cities more inclusive and sustainable. Its overall objectives are to support cities in providing effective local government, an active citizenship and a growing economy characterised by both public and private investment. Members promote longer-term and integrated work programmes, while actively promoting gender equality throughout all activities.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Finance and Operations, the Senior Portfolio Specialist will ensure high quality supervision of Cities Alliance’s portfolio of programmes and projects through the implementation of comprehensive monitoring and management systems and mainstreaming of robust project methodology practices. The incumbent will also manage information strategically to ensure Cities Alliance knowledge is captured, managed and leveraged.

1. Portfolio/programme supervision and project management (50%)

Expected result: High quality standards of portfolio/programme supervision and robust project management practices are mainstreamed across the Secretariat.

Consistent with Cities Alliance’s corporate objectives and Strategic Plan:

Lead the planning, management and reporting of the Cities Alliance portfolio. Oversee and supervise the entire cycle - appraisal, implementation and closure of both grants and contracts - to ensure that activities are approved, kept on track and delivered in line with the corporate standards and legal obligations. Flag issues/risks and make recommendations to management on actions required.
Oversee the preparation of high quality portfolio data, information, analysis and reports to support corporate reporting and internal decision-making by Cities Alliance management and staff.
Lead the preparation of portfolio review meetings, set the agenda by consulting with specialist staff (urban, procurement, legal, financial), chair/steer the meetings to maximize the sharing of information and strengthen internal accountability mechanisms. Ensure meeting reports and outcomes are communicated in a timely way to all staff for follow up actions.
As part of mainstreaming robust project methodology practices, review and analyse current project management practices across the Cities Alliance portfolio. Identify causes for shortfalls in performance, including capacity gaps and make recommendations to management related to actual or potential problem programme/projects, and how to bridge the gap between strategy, implementation and desired results.

Advise and contribute to the design of new projects that will be established in the context of Cities Alliance 2018-2021 Strategic Plan, ensuring robust project management principles, processes and practices are an integral part of the project design and subsequent implementation.

2. Information Management (IM) and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) – (25%)

Expected result: High quality, centralized and holistic information management and technology services provided to Cities Alliance.

Lead the design and implementation of all information management and technology policies, strategies, and procedures for the Cities Alliance Secretariat ensuring solutions are integrated with intranet/internet websites, aligned with Cities Alliance business needs, and that information is quality assured and consistent with information contained in oneUNOPS.
Establish and maintain comprehensive portfolio management systems, dashboards and processes to track the overall portfolio performance and progress including overall key performance indicators, service standards, project’s milestones, grant/contractual obligations, deliverables and products for dissemination, and lessons learned.
Contribute to the Cities Alliance corporate priority on the mainstreaming of gender in all its programmes and projects.
Oversee the work of vendor/consultants, ensuring that ICT services meet established business needs and quality standards.

3. Knowledge management and innovation – (25%)

Expected result: Cities Alliance knowledge is managed, safeguarded, and leveraged.

Lead the development of a new policy on safeguarding Cities Alliance intellectual property.
Mainstream knowledge building, management and collaboration across Cities Alliance activities and support the integration of knowledge into communications and advocacy activities.
Lead the development of tools and platforms for data and content management to drive information and knowledge sharing with Cities Alliance staff, members and partners.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Information/Knowledge management or other relevant discipline is required.

Work Experience:

8+ years of experience in information and knowledge management and designing and implementing ICT strategies and solutions.
Strong background and proven experience in robust project management methodologies and practices.
Strong knowledge and experience in international cooperation and partnership building, acquired in an international organization.
Previous knowledge or experience of Cities Alliance is an asset.

Language

Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English is required.
Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish is desirable.

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent)

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization. Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Staff
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: one year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

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.

Additional Considerations

THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY. ONLY UNOPS INTERNAL CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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