Programme Quality Advisor

Following the Maidan revolution of 2013/14, reform has moved to the top of the agenda for the Ukrainian government and its international partners. Within that context, reform of the civilian security sector has been identified as a key priority.

UNOPS office in Ukraine

The UNOPS Ukraine Office has been established in April 2017. At present UNOPS manages an extensive portfolio of projects in Ukraine and is seeking to expand its delivery. Accordingly, UNOPS is now shifting direct representational and oversight functions to Ukraine.

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Ukraine, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programme. In keeping with EU-Ukraine Association Agreement of 27 June 2014 and other Government reform initiatives, UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

The Support for Rule of Law Reforms in Ukraine Project

UNOPS provides project management implementation services and support for the European Delegation and the Government of Ukraine project, focused on reform of the Rule of Law system in Ukraine and to align its functioning with the best European and International practices.

This EU-Funded Project aims to support the creation of an efficient law-enforcement system respectful of human rights in support of the people of Ukraine, via provision of the necessary support to the National Police and other Ukrainian authorities in charge of civilian law-enforcement. On substance matters, the project relies on the EU Advisory Mission [EUAM] to Ukraine which is a Rule of Law and Police Mission, based in Kiev and with presences in Kharkiv and Lviv.

Under the direct operational supervision and guidance of the Head of Programme, and in close collaboration with other personnel, the Programme Quality Advisor will work from the EUAM offices in Kiev. S/he will be client-focused and provide support to the Police Reform Project Team and project assurance functions as delegated by the Head of Programme, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work.

The Programme Quality Advisor is responsible for the quality assurance of all activities in respect Policing, Investigations and Prosecution and Governance Reform operations on behalf of the project, beneficiaries and the clients. S/he will develop a QA plan relating to all areas of those project activities and will be the focal point for ensuring communication of that plan.

In particular s/he will be expected to work closely with the client and functional officers of the EUAM and local beneficiaries. S/he is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

1.     Stakeholder Management:

• Establish positive and fruitful working relationships with all interlocutors, providing advice and guidance on specific and general policing issues and where appropriate rule of law and police related project support issues.
• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders.
• Manage and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in an informed position.
• Advise the Head of Programme on issues that may impact upon the positive reporting of project activities.

2.     Delivery and Performance:

• Provide an advisory support role and quality assurance function with respect to all project activities which encompass Policing, Prosecution and Investigations and Governance Reform.
• Provide strategic advice on those matters and technical assistance to the Head of Programme and to the Project Team.
• Provide expert advice on how the program/ project intervention fits into wider security and justice system of the country.
• Support the Project Team with the development of business cases, situational and political economy analysis, as required, related to Policing, Prosecution and Investigation and Governance Reform matters.
• Support the Project Team with the design of programs and project interventions related to Policing, Prosecution and Investigation and Governance Reform matters.
• Support identification of and engagement with actors and stakeholders involved in Policing, Prosecution and Investigation and Governance Reform matters, under the area of project responsibility, for the purpose of sharing reform initiatives, best practices and lessons learnt. 
• Provide technical assistance to strategic planning, capacity development and performance management components of Policing, Prosecution and Investigation and Governance Reform matters.
• Coordinate between the elements of Governance, Investigations, Prosecution and Policing activities and the project interventions being implemented on bilateral and multilateral bases elsewhere in Ukraine. 
• As required, provide strategic advice and technical assistance with the design and implementation of monitoring frameworks and conducting evaluations for relevant programs and project interventions.
• Provide feedback to the project activities on the observations of progress of the work on an agreed basis and share issues and concerns that may need executive action and decision.
• Participate and represent UNOPS in national and international forums as directed.

3.     Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions).
• Support the Head of Programme in the preparation of project related documentation.

4.     Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

5.     Personnel Management:

• If required, support the preparation of Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the projects (staff, individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.), with expert and/or client support as required.
• Perform the Team Manager role and directly lead and supervise the 3 functional Programme. Advisors.

6.     Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS’ communications principles.
• Look for ways to embed UNOPS’ communications principles in day to day project management.
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality through communications in the work place.
• Champion and communicate project’s achievements with key stakeholders.
• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity.
• Look for ways to build the capacity of local counterparts.

7.     Partnerships and Coordination.

• Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system.
• Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners.

8.     Accountability for results and the use of resources.

• The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the Prosecution Development Advisor to raise the issue to a supervisor.

9.     Excellence.

• Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of communications and quality.

• Advanced University degree - (Master's or equivalent) in International Development, Social Science, Political Science, Administration, Governance, Law or an equivalent degree in related fields is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in related discipline in combination with additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advance university degree.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education. 

• At least 7 years of relevant technical working experience in the fields of Institutional Development, Prosecutions, Investigations, Rule of Law or Security and Justice Sectors is required. 
• 7 years of proven experience in engaging with high level stakeholders including senior government counterparts is required.
• 7 years of proven experience in coordinating/supporting complex security and rule of law projects with multiple stakeholders is required.
• 7 years’ experience of managing diverse teams of specialists is required.
• Experience in coordinating Bilateral and multilateral agencies to implement Security and Justice projects in developing  countries is desirable.
• Experience in evaluation, mentoring and coaching will be an advantage.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including the ability to write technical reports and prepare and present concise reports in English;
• Experience working in a project-based environment is required.
• Experience of working in Ukraine or Eastern Europe is highly desired.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• MS Office skills required.
• Excellent communication and team network skills.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential; 
• Working knowledge of additional UN or regional languages (Ukrainian or/and Russian) will be considered as an asset. 

UNOPS 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.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peace building contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.