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Programme Management Specialist

Amman

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Amman
  • Grade: Mid level - LICA-11, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Programme Management
    • Project and Programme Management
  • 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

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Hub in Amman was established in Amman in late 2006. It implements projects in Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, Syria, and Turkey, in partnership with the Governments, International Donors, UN Agencies, and others.

UNOPS is in the process of establishing a Programme Management Office (PMO) in Amman Operational Hub to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization standards, while acting as the overall Project Assurance capacity within the business unit on behalf of the Director/ Head of Programme (Executive). The PMO will contribute to moving the UNOPS Hub in Amman toward achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

The functions and services of the PMO include:

• Strategic Planning/Portfolio Support: Ensuring UNOPS is focused on doing the right projects by supporting management decision-making.

• Delivery Support: Ensuring UNOPS is doing projects the right way, through supporting the effective delivery of the programme and projects especially at startup and closure stages.

• Best Practices/Assurance: Applying and assuring UNOPS standards in project management, encouraging consistent working practices and ensuring appropriate application.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of Programme, the Programme Management Specialist is responsible for leading on the PMO function ensuring overall project assurance to include some or all of the following main tasks:

  • Provide an ongoing health check of the Hub portfolio ensuring the programme/ projects are on track with regard to budget, schedule and quality.
  • Support the Hub Director /Head of Programme in strategic oversight, advice and direction on programme and project management activities flagging any risks/issues.    
  • Support Partnership Unit and programme/ project managers in ensuring that UNOPS standards and practices in project management are effectively adopted in the development, implementation and closure of programme/ projects. 
  • Conduct quarterly and end stage assurance of all projects and programme within the Hub portfolio to ensure these are on track with regard to budget, schedule and quality;
  • Ensure close interaction and coordination with HQ and the Hub business units and programme/ project staff to share information and knowledge related to project management policies, processes and methods.

Functional Responsibilities

III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of functions:

  1. Development and planning
  2. Set-up and closure
  3. Monitoring and reporting
  4. Quality assurance
  5. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Development and planning

  • Provide appropriate levels of programmatic management support to the Head of Programme regarding all ongoing project activities, while maintaining and implementing appropriate standards and best practices in line with UNOPS policies and procedures.
  • Directly contribute to strategic oversight, advice and direction on programme/ project management activities in line with service agreements and project documents.
  • Ensure proper development, implementation and, as and when appropriate, amendments, of project budgets and staffing resources, ensuring synergies across UNOPS Hub in Amman.
  • Develop and establish resource tracking systems, complementary to UNOPS' online tools, to ensure effective planning, forecasting and tracking of delivery across UNOPS Hub in Amman
  • Maintain close contact with the PMs and identify and/ or escalate, potential risks and issues in a timely manner to the Head of Programme for necessary mitigation and course correction.
  • Support and provide guidance to Head of Programme regarding UNOPS involvement in UN/national plans and coordination mechanisms 
2. Set-up and closure
  • Support the development of high-level programme/ project plans, including the collation of lower-level plans into programme/ project-level milestones.
  • Develop, track and maintain dependencies.
  • For project closure purposes, acts as (or nominates and supervises) a focal point between UNOPS Hub in Amman and donors throughout the process.
  • Oversee and coordinate all project closure activities, ensuring appropriate disposal of project assets, timely and effective final (operational) reporting, initiation of financial disbursements as appropriate during Defects Liability Periods, updating of information on One UNOPS, and effective handover of closed projects to UNOPS HQ for financial closure processes. 

3.  Monitoring and reporting
  • Identify and anticipates in a timely manner, potential risks and issues specific to delivery forecasts, and advises mitigating measures to the Head of Programme.
  • Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system, using UNOPS ERP system as required.
  • Coordinate and oversee the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office, IPAS ,IMPG and HQ Teams, as required.

4. Quality assurance

  • Work with internal audit and finance to ensure the programme complies with audit requirements.
  • Support the Head of Programme in conducting quarterly and end stage assurance of all projects and prgrammes within the Hub portfolio to ensure these are on track with regard to budget, schedule and quality.
  • Ensure that the projects have proper governance arrangements in place and risks and/ or issues are being managed appropriately and escalated, as needed.
  • Ensure compliance with UNOPS defined standards for programme/ project management.
  • Coordinate quality reviews of programme/ project documents and deliverables.
  • Provide quality control for management products (project documents, reports, etc).
  • As and when required, represent the Head of Programme in supporting key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation
5. Knowledge management and innovation
  • Act as a focal point for the UNOPS Hub in Amman maturity enhancement initiatives using the P3M3 as a baseline.
  • Ensure routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
  • Participate in, and advocate PMs' participation in, relevant Communities of Practice.
  • Actively interact with PMs and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in the Knowledge System.
  • Provides feedback to Practice Leads on policy and supporting guidance working to achieve continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.
  • Contributes to the compliance of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner.
VI. Impact of Results 
The Programme Management Specialist directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting the Head of Programme in implementing effective project management methods and strategies, risk management, introduce cost efficiencies and success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

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

  • A Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration or related field (e.g. International Relations).

Experience


  • A minimum of least 7 years of relevant and progressive professional experience, specifically in the field of Project Management with experience of successful implementation and/or oversight of programmes and projects.
  • Previous experience of working within a PMO environment is an advantage.
  • Knowledge of UNOPS’ project management tools, UNOPS financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management tools is highly desirable.
  • Strong experience with porgramme analysis, project management tools and reporting is required.

Certifications

PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification is highly desirable.

MSP certification (Foundation and/or Practitioner) is an advantage.

Languages

Fluency in both English and Arabic is required.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Specialist 
Contract level: LICA 11
Contract duration: One year with possibility of 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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