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Head of PMO

Kabul

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Kabul
  • Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, 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 - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

UNOPS strategy for Afghanistan is aimed at providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan though the delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s own priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan Operation Center (AFOC) has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFOC is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads and schools) development, capacity building to various ministries, and environmental protection, among others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFOC is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan and the donor community, where capacity building is always considered and encouraged. The aim of UNOPS AFOC is to provide implementation services to the Government of Afghanistan, the donor community and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

Functional Responsibilities

1.     Development and planning

  • In conjunction with the PMO team, provides appropriate levels of programmatic management and administrative support to the Head of Sustainable Programme Management 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 and 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 AFOC.
  • Develops and establishes resource tracking systems for use within the PMO, complementary to UNOPS' online tools, to ensure effective planning, forecasting and tracking of delivery across AFOC.
Identifies, and anticipates in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to the Head of Programme.

2.     Set-up and closure

  • Facilitate 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.
  • Liaise closely and support the Head of Support Services in all project assets and finance related issues.
  • For project closure purposes, acts as (or nominates and supervises) a focal point between AFOC 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 Notification Periods (DNP), updating of information in the One UNOPS online system, and effective handover of closed projects to UNOPS HQ for financial closure processes.

3.     Monitoring and reporting

  • Prepare and issues regular project reports, through the Head of Programme and the Office of the Director in accordance with donor guidelines for reporting.
  • Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
  • Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures.
  • Identifies and anticipates in a timely manner, potential risks and issues specific to delivery forecasts, and advises mitigating measures to the Head of Programme.
  • Provides routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system, using UNOPS ERP system as required.
  • Performs routine maintenance and implementation of effective monitoring and evaluation systems of programme and project activities, in line with logical frameworks.
  • Within the context of monitoring and evaluation, ensures all projects submit and regularly update specific milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life-cycles, and tracks progress, or otherwise, against such information.
  • Provides editorial support to programmes and projects, ensuring effective and timely dissemination of reports, in line with project documentation and clients' expectations.
  • Provides the Head of Support Services with necessary project analysis reports and information to support areas relevant to the project management team (i.e. Locally Managed Direct Costs projections etc.).
Coordinates and oversees the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office, IPAS, and HQ Teams, as required.

4.     Stakeholder engagement

  • Supports the development and maintenance of stakeholder profiles and facilitates the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
  • Enables the formulation of programme and project communications plans in conjunction with the Office of the Director.
  • Supports stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications across programmes and projects.
  • Coordinates internal programme/project communications.
Helps monitor the effectiveness of programme/project communications.

5.     Quality assurance

  • Works with internal audit and finance to ensure the programme complies with audit requirements.
  • Works with procurement staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems.
  • Ensures compliance with UNOPS defined standards for programme/project management.
  • Coordinates quality reviews of programme/project documents and deliverables.
  • Provides quality control for management products (project documents, reports, etc.).
Represents the Head of Programme in supporting key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation.

6.     Knowledge management and innovation

  • Acts as AFOC focal point for maturity enhancement initiatives, using P3M3 as a baseline.
  • Ensures routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of national staff.
  • Participates in, and advocates PMs' participation in, relevant Communities of Practice.
  • Actively interacts 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 oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner.

7.     Personnel Management [if managing a team]

  • Exercises control of all staffing issues within the PMO team including recruitment, on-boarding and staff performance reviews.
  • Directly contributes to the development and maintenance of budget and resource availability tables in conjunction with project managers and relevant project staff.
  • Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
Fosters a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.



Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

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

Experience:

A minimum of least 5 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.

Strong experience with data analysis, management reporting and project management tools and information management systems.

A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
Knowledge of UNOPS’ project management tools, UNOPS financial and procurement rules and regulations, and financial management tools, is considered an asset.

Language Requirements:

Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Fluency in Dari / Pashtu / Farsi is an advantage

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
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: International ICA
Contract level:IICA-2
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance 


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.
  • 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
  • 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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