UN Cluster International Coordinator

San José

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: San José
Grade: Mid level - IICA-3, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Programme Management
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

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.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Thailand Operations Hub (THOH) is under the UNOPS Asia Regional Office and has been established to better support, develop and oversee the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific.
Located in Bangkok, Thailand, the Hub comprises two main offices –THOH Thailand and THOH Indonesia and its current portfolio spans HR transactional services, financial management services, procurement services and project implementation services currently being provided to a wide range of other UN entities, INGOs and Governments/Government agencies in South East Asia and the Pacific.

THOH Thailand delivers HR Transactional services on behalf of Global clients. Through this service provision stream, THOH Thailand enhances the operational capacity of UNOPS to serve partners with large-scale and high volume HR services through need-driven corporate level project services. In support of, and to best serve client's needs, THOH Thailand has developed and utilizes standardized and unified systems and processes born of extensive experience that ensures the highest quality of services and cost-effectiveness for partners.

The project is providing trust fund management services to the UN Trade Cluster Programme for the Union of Myanmar with funding from the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). UNOPS is managing the trust fund of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The SECO trust fund is an EIF Tier 2 bi-lateral project funded by Government of Switzerland and targeted to specific LDCs chosen by the donor. The project will be implemented by the SECO-UN Cluster on Trade and Productive Capacity (ILO, ITC, UNCTAD and UNIDO, acting as a team). The services to be provided by UNOPS are to manage the trust fund on behalf of SECO.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The incumbent will be responsible for the following:

A. Overall program design, implementation, coordination and management

B. Project monitoring and reporting

C. Knowledge Management

D. Capacity Building

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of SECO-UNCTAD Global Management Board and the Head of UNOPS THOH, the UN Cluster International Coordinator's shall be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

A. Overall program design, implementation, coordination and management:

Promote and support poverty reduction, responsible tourism, organic production, social inclusiveness, women’s economic empowerment, environmental protection, public/private sectors partnership, interagency coordination, and national ownership as the SECO and UN overarching values guiding this project.
Be responsible for managing and coordinating all stages of the Cluster Program (i.e. design, implementation and monitoring) in Myanmar and ensure its overall quality and coherence in close cooperation with the Project Management Board and by leading the Project Management Unit;
Work in close cooperation and coordination with the EIF-Aid for Trade National Project National Implementation Unit and Government / Donors Steering Committee led by the Ministry of Commerce in order to:

Ensure consultations and coordination with the relevant Ministries and Shan State’s authorities;
Contribute to the implementation of the national priorities provided by the Medium-Term Programme for Aid For Trade and other national development strategies plans in the areas targeted by this intervention;
By disseminating the information on the project, as appropriate, and consulting with relevant Governmental officers, contribute to enhancing national ownership and inter-ministerial coordination in the areas addressed by the project in view of an integrated and coherent approach to the projects’ goals, and in line with the general goals of EIF Tier 2 projects;
Avoid duplications, identify complementarities and synergies, share information and lessons learnt, and facilitate coordination with other development partners intervening in areas related to this project;
Be informed about potential requests of Governmental and Shan State authorities and ensure their views are fully taken into account in the implementation of the Project;
Provide the Government authorities, particularly the Ministry of Commerce. the technical support they may require in the context of the present project and, as appropriate and consistent with the objectives of this project, in the overall coordination of trade-related technical assistance;
In close cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant Ministries, private sector representatives and implementing entities, organise and develop mechanisms required for social dialogue and public/private sector partnership related to the goals and activities of this project.

Coordinate inputs from the implementing entities, work in close cooperation and maintain regular contacts with them with headquarters and field project officers or offices, and facilitate the work of the agencies and their technical experts in the country, on a regular basis and in particular in cooperation with the Project Management Board.
Lead the Project Management Unit by providing information and suggestions to the implementing entities, and particularly by identifying possible joint activities, therefore contributing to their coherent and well-sequenced work without interfering with their expertise and their own internal processes.
Assist and advice, as required, the national and State’s authorities in selecting the national officers members of the Project Management Board, and support or launch initiatives aimed at enhancing the technical capacity of relevant Ministries.
Prepare the draft Annual Work Plans of the project in collaboration with the Project Management Board, the relevant Government units and national / local stakeholders, in view of adjusting the project components to the country needs and to the progress gradually achieved by the intervention.
Ensure the project’s progress and implementation plan is updated and reflected in the Myanmar UN Development Assistance Framework, provide advice to participating UN agencies on this, and cooperate with the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in this regard.
Perform other related duties as required.

B. Project monitoring and reporting:

Prepare and regularly update Result Measurement Plans for the project to effectively monitor results; provide recommendations and lessons learnt to enhance the delivery for subsequent Annual Work Plans;
Closely monitor the implementation of the activities, identify problems and deficiencies, and initiate and propose corrective actions when necessary;
Carry out missions to the targeted areas in the context of the implementation of the Program;
Support and coordinate external Result Oriented Monitoring missions;
Co-chair the Project Management Board and participate in the SECO-UN Global Management Board meetings, prepare relevant inputs as required and ensure appropriate follow-up to relevant decisions;
Prepare monitoring and progress reports, bi-annual and annual reports for the SECO-UN Global Management Board, and for the Ministry of Commerce / EIF-Aid for Trade Steering Committee, as required.

C. Knowledge Management:

Develop an overall framework that guides knowledge management for this project;
Develop a webpage for the project to facilitate sharing and exchange of information, and facilitate the dissemination on the project’s goals and activities among interested national and international audiences;
Collect relevant data that is useful for the project’s stakeholders.

D. Capacity Building:

In order to ensure a regular transfer of skills to the national counterparts in the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Coordinator will plan and oversee the implementation of a training plan for key Ministry officials as well as participate in and instigate ad hoc training on project specific and project management related methodologies.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Monitoring and Progress Controls The incumbent will report to the Head, SECO-UNCTAD Global Management Board for substantive supervision and the Senior Portfolio Manager, HRSC, UNOPS for administration.

Functional competencies

Strategic thinking and coordination, organization skills;
Strong leadership and management skills;
Building alliances/partnerships skills;
Substantive knowledge of political, social and economic development issues of the Region;
Capacity to promote knowledge sharing and familiar with Results-based Management (RBM).

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Minimum advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, International Relations, Business Administration or any related with speciality in Project Planning, Management, Economic or Trade Policy field is required.
First university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with additional 2 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent.

Work Experience

At least 7 years progressively responsible experience in project/program planning, programming, implementation or evaluation, preferably within the UN System or in relation to UN development operations, is required;
Extensive experience in the field of program/project management and coordination in the international economic or trade sector;
Experience with international development organizations;
Experience working in Myanmar or South-East Asia and good knowledge of the region is preferred;
Knowledge of Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to sustainable development as endorsed by the Government of Switzerland is preferred;
Good understanding of the One UN process and mechanisms of joint implementation of programmes from the UN.

Languages

Fluency in English is required. Basic Burmese language proficiency desirable.

Certifications

PRINCE2 practitioner preferred.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-3
Contract duration: 2 years with possibilty for extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

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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