UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position:
Vacancy Details
Vacancy Code
UNOPS/2011/SDOC/CSS/VA065 Post Title
Programme Officer (Multiple Positions)
Post Level IICA-Level 2 (International Individual Contractor Agreement) Position status Non-rotational
Project Title Various Org Unit AFO – SSOC
Duty Station Juba and other states, South SUDAN (non-family)
Duration
3 – 12 months
Closing Date
October 31st, 2011
Background
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) – South Sudan Operations Centre (SSOC) is based in Juba, Republic of South Sudan. Current SSOC operations are largely focused on assisting partners with the implementation of physical infrastructure projects including designing, constructing and rehabilitating roads and bridges, schools, clinics and Government and Ministry offices. SSOC also procures goods and services for a number of partners and provides logistics and operational support to institutions in South Sudan with the overall objective to support partners in achieving their programme goals.
UNOPS–SSOC works with various partners including the government ministries of South Sudan, donors, and United Nations agencies including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the European Union (EU), the Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank.
The role of the Programme Officers in Juba will be to strengthen UNOPS the quality of programme management by providing support to the Head of Programme and Country Director in the areas of business development, project planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, UN coordination and programme financial management.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Programmes, and in coordination with the Programme Coordinator and Project Managers, the Programme Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:
General Programme Support: • Support the conceptualization, mobilization, start-up of projects and integration of the three UNOPS crosscutting themes (gender equality, capacity building, environment) as appropriate to project needs • Support project services including recruitment, procurement and financial management and ensure proper hand-over of all project documents to Project Managers and other Project staff as soon as recruited. • Support the office in communication, public relation matters as well as donor and government liaison by preparing and disseminating articles, project updates and relevant reports. • Support project implementation by acting as project manager for interim periods in the absence of an incumbent in that position. • Support the Country Director, Head of Programme and Head of Admin and Finance in any other matters as required.
Planning and Reporting: • Facilitate the preparation of annual project work plans by preparing templates, providing guidance to projects and consolidating data on cash flow projections, targets and outputs. • Assist in programme development and project planning by keeping constructive donor relations, organizing and participating in field assessments, drafting project proposals, preparing project budgets, recruitment and procurement plans and setting up proposals and projects in UNOPS systems such as Atlas and the lead system. . • Support the office in fulfilling reporting requirements, coordinate with projects and provide guidance in internal financial and progress reporting. Support the Head of Programme and Director in HQ/AFO and donor reporting and produce monthly financial and progress reports on the SDOC portfolio. • Keep track of UNOPS’ business development portfolio as well as business plans.
Programme and Financial Management: • Support the office in designing and implementing mechanisms aimed at ensuring sound programme financial management by monitoring and analyzing project budgets and expenditure forecasts for all UNOPS projects. Further support projects with analyzing expenditure reports, balancing budgets, conducting budget revisions and coordinate with project managers to implement Atlas best practice. • Provide training on project and financial management to newly arrived staff to promote compliance with internal financial rules and regulations as well as Atlas best practice. • Ensure compliance with UNOPS online engagement and assurance processes.
UN Coordination: • Support UNOPS in all inter-agency planning and monitoring and evaluation activities, including CCA, UNDAF (UN Development Assistance Framework) and the UN & Partners Work Plan. • Provide support to technical assessments. • Liaise and coordinate with Government counterparts in the capacity, participate in government planning processes and communicate and share information with the Government throughout the UN Work Plan process.
The incumbent will be responsible to abide by the security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
• Excellent writing, conceptual, and analytical skills required. • Knowledge of the political and economic context of Sudan is an advantage. • Ability to interpret financial reports and previous experience with programme financial management, including the budgeting methods, strongly preferred. • Knowledge of UN coordination and planning mechanisms including cluster approach is preferred. • Some technical knowledge of engineering and/or architecture is an advantage. • Knowledge of the project management and finance module in UNOPS’ ERP System Atlas desired. • Advanced knowledge in the use of MS Office, especially MS Excel. • Ability to work independently, handles multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time. • Team player with excellent communication, coordination and personal interaction skills. • Motivated, professional and ability to work in a stressful and difficult environment.
Education/Experience/Language
• Masters Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering or other relevant field (Additional 2 years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree). • Certification in project management (PMP or Prince2) is an advantage. • Minimum of 5 years full-time relevant professional experience. • Professional experience in an international organization and/or in post-conflict environments/developing countries. • Experience in project management is desirable. • Experience with report writing, proposals drafting, monitoring and evaluation and programme financial management required. • Previous experience with infrastructure programmes is an advantage. • Written and oral fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage. Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to vacanciesSDOCInt@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by e-mail.
Additional Considerations
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates who are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
- Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
- UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post. For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.
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