Country Manager

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  

In 2014, The UNOPS Executive Director decided to establish the UNOPS Ethiopia Operational Hub (ETOH), which manages and coordinates the UNOPS activities in Ethiopia, as well as Sudan and Djibouti. UNOPS ETOH activities range from tailor-made administration, operations, human resources and logistics support for implementation of development and humanitarian projects; infrastructure and procurement management services; and advisory services to partners to facilitate effective procurement, supply and financial management.

Reporting to the ETOH Director who provides direction and guidance and working closely with the HUBs Head of Programme and Support Services on relevant programme and operation issues, the Country Manager role is responsible for planning, implementing, monitoring and supervising the delivery of all projects and support services in a given country- that includes liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders.

Impact on Results

The incumbent will have the overall management responsibility for UNOPS’ programme delivery, and partnership development and management efforts throughout Sudan. In executing these responsibilities, the incumbent will be expected to lead implementation of strategies and practices necessary to deliver effective programmes, projects and partnerships in Sudan, and to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

Furthermore, the effective and successful achievement of results by the Country Manager directly impacts on the development and performance of the Project Office, the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served.

Summary of key results:

1. Project Office programme/project management
2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
3. Service delivery and quality assurance
4. Representation and inter-agency partnership
5. Knowledge management and innovation

1.      Office and Programme Management

• In collaboration with OH Head of Support Services, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the portfolio, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities, whenever available.
• Plan and propose to HUB Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.
• Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Office, in collaboration with the partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel within the respective area of responsibility. 
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

2.      Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and the HUB Director) areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep the Hub Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.
• Ensure that the implementation plans for the Sudan portfolio are established in collaboration with the partners, including objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• With guidance from the Hub Director and Leadership Team, identify opportunities, develop current and future growth plans for Sudan, ensuring that those plans conform to the overall strategic plan of ETOH and the organization.
• In line with the ETOH Strategy and working closely with Partnership Development Unit in Hub, oversee drafting of concept notes and project document briefs for further discussion with potential partners.

3.      Service delivery and quality assurance

• Establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.
• Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Hub, for action and/or intervention.
• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Office and its portfolio including submitting financial reports to the HUB Director and Leadership Team.

4.      Representation and inter-agency partnership

• Participate, as delegated by the HUB Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonization of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNDAF/One Program, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.
• Participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.
• Keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within Sudan through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF or equivalent.

5.      Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Plan, implement and organize strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
• Drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement, and performance optimization across all projects
• Actively participate in the Hub Leadership Team meetings to report on activities and contribute to high-level plans and discussions

• A Master’s degree in business management, project management, public administration, engineering or other relevant related field is required.
• 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.
• Certification: PRINCE 2 Foundation or equivalent is an asset, but required completion within first 6 months of onboarding.

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization. 
• At least 4 years of leadership experience including supervising teams and managing complex projects and budgets. 
• Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic and/or another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Leadership
• Programme Management 
• People Management 
• Team Management 
• Budget Management 
• Business Development 
• Partnerships skill 
• Strategic Planning

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractor (IICA)
2. Contract level: IICA 3
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

Sudan

• 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.