Capacity Building Specialist (Governance & Technical Specialist) - Retainer

The project relies on a number of external stakeholders for its successful delivery, monitoring dynamic timelines through multiple work packages.  The Capacity Building Specialist (Governance & Technical Specialist) is responsible for supporting the Project Manager in coordinating the deliverables from WP 3:  Technical Assistance and governance and ensuring the quality of the through all aspects of its life cycle.  

S/he must be able to apply, with a great degree of autonomy, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria: 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Establish solid working relationship with the client and key stakeholders;

• Support the effective and timely coordination of communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress as it relates to WP 3;

• Advise the Project Manager on issues that may impact the achievement of WP 3 objectives and project outcomes; 

• Support the monitoring of outputs of sub-contractors to ensure effective execution of their workflow  

Delivery and Performance: 

• Provide guidance to the Capacity Building Specialist (Governance & Technical Specialist) to coordinating the delivery and maintenance of Work Package plan; 

• Direct the needs and performance assessments ensuring WP3 objectives and deliverables are well documented;

• Monitor delivery of milestones to ensure adherence to project timelines;

• Monitor milestones against internal delivery forecast to support proper budget delivery

• Support the coordination and implementation of approved Work Package plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project; 

• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers as required; 

• Alert Project Manager (as required) of any deviations from the planned work plan or delivery forecast  

• Support management of risk/issues register for the Work Package 

• Support the Monitoring and evaluation related to work package 

Procedures: 

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions); 

• Contribute to the monitoring and adaptation of work plans for effective delivery tracking and UNOPS reporting 

• In support of Project Manager, provide inputs on WP 3 progress towards the overall project objectives into the following reports: 

•  Highlight Reports 

•  End Stage Reports 

• Operational Closure Checklist 

• End Project Report 

• Handover Report 

• Actively contribute to the maintenance of the following:

i. Project Document Archive; 

ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required; 

• Coordinate with the Project Manager to support the Project Manager, Deputy Project Manager and PSO to ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR); 

• Support the Project Manager in managing budgets, cash flow and obligations related to the Work Package to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time; 

Knowledge Management: 

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice 

• Knowledge of industry best practices

• Support the Project Manager in documenting and maintaining lessons learnt from the delivery of the Work Package for the purposes of knowledge sharing and continuous improvement in the delivery of similar activities

• Strong analytical skills 

Personnel Management: 

• Establish a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff); 

• Support the selection, recruitment and training of the team as required by project plans 

Monitoring and Progress Controls 

• Effective project governance

• Timeliness and accuracy of reporting on Work package 3 performance

• Accuracy of project planning and delivery (according to plans)

• Identification and implementation of continuous process improvement.

General: 

• Provide support to ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. 

Core Values and Principles: 

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles: 

1. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management 

2. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at workplace 

3. Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders 

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity: 

1. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans 

2. Seek opportunities to support recruitment of qualified local staff 

3. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts 

4. Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system: 

5. 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) 

• Accountability for results and the use of resources: 

1. 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 TL to raise the issue with a supervisor 

• Excellence: 

1. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality. 

Additional Requirements:

• Advise Facilitate engagement of stakeholders in the technical assistance and capacity building plans

• Maintain engagement with local level stakeholders and facilitate collaboration with the project team

• Close collaboration with procurement team to ensure timely and effective contract management

• Assigned the role of focal point for community engagement

• Champions the implementation of the project according to PMM, proactively seeks out knowledge and good practices and shares them across the SL Country Office.  Supports capacity building within the team

A. Education 

• Master’s Degree in Project Management, Development Studies, Energy studies or other relevant disciplines is required. 

• A University Degree (Bachelor's Degree level) in Project Management, Development Studies, Energy studies or other relevant disciplines with a combination of an additional 2 years of relevant professional experience in the implementation of development projects in a project management support related role may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University degree.

B. Work Experience 

• A minimum of  five (5) years of relevant experience in the implementation of development projects in a project management support related role is required;

• Experience working with Government institutions in the delivery of activities is highly desirable;.  

• Experience interfacing with service providers and/or contract management is desirable;

• Strong experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis is desirable;

• Experience in the use of google software packages (Google Doc, Sheets and Slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an added advantage.

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage; 

Language Requirements:                    

Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required