Training Coordinator and Portfolio Officer

The position has now been created to provide necessary inputs to two projects currently being implemented in the Hub.

One of the projects is the Somalia Strengthening Institutions for Public Works Project (SSIPWP)  which now requires a person to work as the Training Coordinator for the project. Whilst the other project is the UNOPS Maturity Project that requires a Portflio Officer for the Hub.

The person selected for the position will need to work under the direction of two Supervisors. The Training Coordinator is to be supervised by the UNOPS Project Manager for SSIPWP and the Portfolio Officer is to be supervised by the UNOPS Advisor HPO for each of the responsibilities as detailed below.

The position is to be based in Nairobi with a good amount of time spent in Somalia working on SSIPWP. The budget arrangement for the position is proposed to at least be half funded by SSIPWP and the remainder from UNOPS management funds. As a result the person for the position as Training Coordinator will be expected to work at least 50% of the time on SSIPWP that includes regular periodic visits to Somalia. Actual time spent on SSIPWP will be recorded each month and charged on the Project accordingly.

The various functions to be performed can be catergorized for each of the different roles for the position as:-

Training Coordinator Roles

Assist in the management and coordination for youth employment and guide the capacity building approach and methodology for MPWRH staff as part of the SSIPWP. Responsiblities are to include the following:-

• Identify and assess future and current training needs for the Project.
• Monitor, report and coordinate the various activities associated with youth employment under the project (budget of approximately $1.3 million) This will involve working with another organisation who will be engaged to implement the youth employment component in Somalia.
• Prepare training work plans including logistics and budgets for each type of development plan and the individual training needs and expectations that is required. Included is assist the UNOPS Project Manager in managing the training costs and project budget lines and tailor the project training programs as necessary.
• Monitor and evaluate the Project training program’s effectiveness, success and periodically report on them
• Assist in conducting the various capacity building activities and deploy a wide variety of training methods.
• Maintain a keen understanding of training trends, developments and best practices required for the Project.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the UNOPS Project Manager SSIPWP.

Portfolio Roles

The Portfolio roles includes the softer engineering types of work considered as UNOPS corporate responsibility for value adding and improvement in project delivery. The following prime functions to be advanced by the Portfolio roles are given below and may be added to by the Advsior HPO as required:

1. Gender Development
2. Health and Safety
3. Environmental
4. Monitoring and Evaluation (impact)
5. Sustainability
6. Project Progress Reporting
7. Project Development
8. Training

Under the overall supervision of the Advisor HPO, and working in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project teams in the EAH office, the Portfolio role will undertake the following: 

• Work in the Hub Portfolio Office (HPO) and carry out those tasks assigned to improve on maturity capacity in the EAH and for projects (currently this includes a Communication Strategy and Plan, preparation of manuals, be a member of the UNOPS Training Committee and conduct trainings for project staff).
• Contribute to the ongoing development and implementation of tools and systems to improve the EAH’s ability to collect and analyze data from each of the Country Offices to demonstrate overall Country impact and accountability.
• Support and provide guidance on the development of Standard Operating Procedures to improve and streamline internal implementation processes within the EAH office.
• Lead the development and rollout of a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and project implementation analysis system (we have recently engaged an M&E Specialist on retainer for one of our projects which we want to include into other projects as standard).
• Initiate and develop quantitative and qualitative methods and participatory methodologies to monitor project quality, performance and results, with particular focus on reporting against sustainable (social, environmental and economic) objectives by each Country Office and follow on with consoldation of that information for the Hub.
• Promote effective planning and reporting through capacity building of EAH project and field staff in reporting and communications. 
• Assist in preparation of regular and ad hoc management reports for EAH as required.
• Prepare briefing materials as required for HPO mission travel and/or discussion on project activities and status.
• Monitor and record best practices and innovative approaches within UNOPS; identify and show alternative options according to Activity needs; 
• Managing information flows and overseeing change controls, risk registers and issue management; document and feedback lessons learned and best practices relative to each Country Office;
• Assist the training of UNOPS Project Managers through the Project Management Office (PMO) to prepare UNOPS standard project documentation i.e. Project Workplans annual and overall, staffing schedule, budget, project organization structure, risk register, lessons learnt register, photographs, monthly reporting etc.;
• Support the development and implementation of knowledge management practices at the Hub level. Consolidate project lessons learned and risks as per defined reporting format and dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building across each Country office.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the UNOPS Advisor HPO.

Impact of Results

The position has a dual role that will directly impact on achievement of project results by assisting the EAH programme and project teams to implement effective project management methods and strategies. The key results will have a positive impact on the efficiency and success of EAH implementation. This will in turn promote the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management, and strengthen its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

• Consistently approaches work with energy, and a positive, constructive attitude.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, and to align work to ensure that goals and strict deadlines are met.
• Good team player attitude.
• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, displays cultural and gender sensitivity, shows strong corporate commitment and complies with the United Nations code of conduct.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Economics, Sociology and Organisation Change Management or other relevant field is required.

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in a related field would be an added advantage. 

• A minimum of 7 years relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of working on capacity building and institutional strengthening project development and implementation is required.
• Previous experience in the United Nations is an added advantage.
• Experience in developing country contexts and/or with the UNOPS is highly desirable.
• Candidate must be computer literate. 

• 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.

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. 

Background Information - UNOPS East Africa Hub (EAH)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya UNOPS East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of engagements. This portfolio includes  transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, in addition to multiple ‘operational’ projects in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states. The Hub Portfolio Office (HPO) has recently been set up to support the Hub Director in strategic planning, oversight and change management. Particular responsibility for HPO is implementing the Maturity Project. The HPO is located in Nairobi.