Project Management Support Specialist (Country Coordinator)

Bangkok

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Bangkok
Grade: Mid level - IICA-2, International Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Environment
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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.

Background Information - WEC

UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster (WEC) supports the design and management of multi-stakeholder initiatives by providing services in financial and grant management, procurement, human resources, and project management.
The cluster has supported projects in the areas of water resource management, climate change adaptation, mitigation and transparency, energy access and distribution and environmental conservation under the Paris Agreement. The WEC has also supported operations and financial management services, in Vienna, the rest of the ECR region and beyond.
The main partners include UN agencies such as UNEP and UNDP, bilateral donors (Nordic countries, Germany and Italy), the Green Climate Fund and several NGOs (such as CIFF and CWF).

Background Information – Project Specific

The South China Sea is a strategic body of water surrounded by nations that are currently at the helm of industrialization and rapid economic growth in the Asia-Pacific region. Recent findings of the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme identified coastal communities bordering the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand as being among the most at risk globally from coastal and marine environmental degradation.
This issue has been acknowledged by the countries of the South China Sea, who have committed to a 20-year process of cooperation to reverse environmental degradation trends. This is evidenced by the intergovernmental endorsement of the Strategic Action Programme for South China by Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. This commitment was further reinforced in 2016 when the above mentioned countries signed a special Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) committing to cooperate with one another to implement the Strategic Action Programme (SAP).

This commitment provided a clear signal to the International community to support the financing of the SAP through various projects, including the project entitled “Implementing the Strategic Action Programme for the South China Sea”. The project aims to address habitat degradation, land-based pollution and regional cooperation. The overall goals of the project include:

▪ Maintain an environment at the regional level, in which collaboration and partnership in addressing environmental problems of the South China Sea, between all stakeholders, and at all levels is fostered and encouraged;
▪ Enhance the capacity of the participating governments to integrate environmental considerations into national development planning; and to strengthen and expand the network of scientists, government officials and civil society;
▪ Assist countries in the medium term in meeting the targets of the approved SAP for the South China Sea (SCS) through implementation of National Action Plans, and strengthening regional coordination.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Program, the Project Management Specialist will have
the following responsibilities:

Country liaison and coordination to foster cooperation between and among SCS SAP partners and stakeholders
● Establish and maintain good working relationships between the SCS SAP Project and participating country government institutions and authorities, other international and regional organizations, donors and development partners, international and local NGOs and private sector organizations.
● Facilitate communication and coordination between and among the SCS SAP Project personnel and the various National Focal Points from participating countries on project implementation, its activities and requirements.
● Liaise and coordinate with government institutions and authorities the activities and requirements of the SCS SAP Project.
● Gather information and utilize data and feedback to identify opportunities and strengthen the relationship between the SCS SAP Project and national government institutions and authorities.
● Facilitate communication, coordination and collaboration between the implementation and coordination units and activities of the South China Sea SAP Implementation Project and the Fisheries Refugia Project.
● Map all partners and stakeholders at regional and national levels and ensure that SCS SAP Project personnel are kept updated on the structures of governments at all levels including changes.

Monitoring and reporting
● Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting, including quarterly progress reports.
● Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
● Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
● Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
● Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span.
● Support in the regular coordination between UNOPS and SEAFDEC, including meetings,
reports and the tracking of joint activities.

Stakeholder engagement
● Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
● Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
● Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications
● Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

Knowledge management and innovation
● Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
● Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices
● Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
● Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.
● Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration or Public Administration or International Development or Political Science or Communications or International Relations is required.
- A Bachelor’s degree combined with two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.

Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in project development and management coordination at national and international settings is required.
- Demonstrated experience with the monitoring and evaluation of environment and/or marine/water related projects is strongly desirable.
- Proven track record in coordinating and managing regional andnational programs, in large multi-country and multi-disciplinary projects in the Southeast Asian region, particularly UNEP and GEF funded projects, is preferred.
- Working with various development partners, regional organizations, national and local governments in the Southeast Asian region preferred.

Language Requirements:
- Full working knowledge of English is essential.
- Working knowledge of other United Nations languages and/or regional languages is an asset.

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.

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.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
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
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
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.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: