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Programme Manager

Bangkok

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Bangkok
  • 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

Thailand Operations Hub (THOH) is a UNOPS business unit under the UNOPS Asia Regional Office and it was established to better support, develop and oversee the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific.

The Hub comprises three main portfolios –THOH Thailand, THOH Indonesia and THOH Pacific and provides a wide range of services including Project Management, Transactional HR, Financial, and Procurement to clients that include other UN entities, INGOs and governments/government agencies donors. Most of THOH projects are implemented in South East Asia and the Pacific.

THOH is hiring for the position of Programme Manager under its Thailand office. Reporting to the Multi-Country Office Director, who provides general guidance and supervision, the Programme Manager is responsible for programme development planning and preparation, and for managing all stages of programming to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility under assigned programme/portfolio that includes projects under Thailand Office and Pacific Cluster. The incumbent manages some projects (playing the role of Project Manager) and coordinates project implementation, including supervising Project Managers for assigned projects.

The role contributes, as part of the Senior Management Team for THOH, to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions

  • Programme implementation and oversight
  • Portfolio development and planning
  • People management
  • Partnership and networking
  • Service delivery and quality assurance
  • Knowledge management and innovation

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the general guidance and supervision of the Multi-Country Office Director, the Programme Manager’s responsibilities include the following:

Programme implementation and oversight

  • Establish and execute the programme implementation plans for the programme in collaboration with partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
  • Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
    • Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the Multi-Country Office Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
    • Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
    • Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
    • Develop and implement the programme governance framework.
    • Perform the role of project manager for assigned projects
    • Provide surge capacity as and when required

Portfolio development and planning

  • Support the Multi-Country Office Director to ensure the financial sustainability of the assigned programme and delivery of desired results, ensuring compliance with organizational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.
  • Coordinate closely with partnerships and business development team to ensure portfolio growth and diversity in Indonesia.
  • Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the Multi-Country Office Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.
  • Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the Multi-Country Office Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on country priorities, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.
  • Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
  • Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the Multi-Country Office Director.
  • Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonisation of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.
  • Plan and propose to the Multi-Country Office Director required office and programme resources for assigned portfolio.
  • Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN mandate and spirit.
  • Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.

People management

  • Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encouraging the formation of diverse teams in term of gender and geography.
  • Supervise Project Managers for assigned projects
  • 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.

Partnership and networking

  • Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
  • Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
  • Collaborate with the Partnerships and Business Development Officer to prepare proposals and partnership engagements.
  • Contribute to current and future growth plans for THOH, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS AR and corporate strategic plans.

Service delivery and quality assurance

  • Establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the programme, 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 Multi-Country Office Director and Head of THOH for action and/or intervention.
  • Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the programme, including submitting financial reports to the Head of THOH.

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 organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

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:

  • Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in Project Management, Social Sciences, Administration, Economics or other related field is required.
  • A relevant first university degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
  • PRINCE2 Practitioner certification is required.

Experience:

  • A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in leading/coordinating project implementation in a large international and/or corporate organization.
  • At least two (2) years of experience at an international level is required.
  • Experience in project management is required.
  • Experience as programme manager is a distinctive advantage.
  • Experience managing people as a direct supervisor is required.
  • Some experience in the UN system organizations is desirable.
  • UNOPS experience in the field of project management is required.
  • Experience managing both implementation and transactional projects a distinct advantage.
  • Experience working in South East Asia is a distinct advantage.
  • Experience managing an office is desirable.

Language:

  • Fluency in English is required. 
  • Knowledge of French an added advantage, noting that the assigned Programme includes a project in a French speaking country in the Pacific.


Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International ICA

Contract level: IICA-3
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 

This position is based in Bangkok, Thailand categorized by the International Civil Service Commission as a family duty station.

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.
  • 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.

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 to support personnel in managing the demands of working life. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
This vacancy is now closed.
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