Program Management Specialist

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, stabilization 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 this context, UNOPS is the Management Agent (MA) of the Stabilization Coherence Fund (SCF) a United Nations Multi Partner Trust Fund that aim to support the ‘’Programme de Désarmement, Démobilisation, Réinsertion Communautaire et Stabilisation (PDDRCS). The SCF is funded by Germany, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands and the United Kingdom; and hosted by MONUSCO which serves as its technical secretariat. 

Within the framework of the project in support of the Technical Secretariat of the SCF, UNOPS will recruit a Program Management Specialist to support the Technical Secretariat in the implementation of the activities planned by the SCF. This post incumbent will be recruited and contracted by UNOPS (ICA Modality) and considered as UNOPS staff seconded to the MONUSCO Stabilization Support Unit, specifically dedicated to the conduct and implementation of the SCF under the supervision of the Senior Coordinator of the Stabilization Support Unit (SSU). UNOPS will support the technical secretariat in its fiduciary role by administering the allocations of the funds of the SCF allocated to NGOs. UNOPS’s main focus will be to manage the administrative and financial procedures required to reach the project objectives by NGO partners.

The Program Management Specialist will report to the Principal Coordinator of the Stabilization Support Unit on the daily instructions, notices and guidelines and to the UNOPS Project Manager for administrative purposes and the monitoring of outcomes and deliverables referred to the Job description and will be responsible for the overall management of the projects & programmes within the Technical Secretariat.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Stakeholder Engagement
• Delivery and Performance
• Procedures compliance
• Knowledge Management

Stakeholder Engagement:

Works with key stakeholders to facilitate the development, implementation, and evaluation of SCF projects; identifies issues to be addressed and recommends corrective actions:

• Ensures effective management of all statutory documentation in relation to the fund management through
• Build confidence with various stakeholders by ensuring effective communication, information sharing and technical awareness raising regarding the SCF procedures.
• Work collaboratively with SSU and other partners to ensure effective field visits for donors and other government and non-government stakeholders:
• Facilitate awareness-raising activities; participates in the development of training workshops, seminars, etc.; participates and makes presentations on assigned topics/activities:
• Support the Technical secretariat to implement programmatic initiatives, ensure effective follow-up and recommend corrective actions.

Delivery and Performance:

• Undertakes regular technical field visits to monitor and ensure visibility of Trust Fund projects in the Mission’s mandated regions, as required.
• Review relevant project documents and interim and final project narrative reports.
• Ensure full and regular monitoring of projects, including timely receipt and review of M&E documents.
• Support the development of plans and tools for monitoring and evaluating project implementation.
• Responsible for the preparation of narrative reports on donor contributions.
• Contributes to the preparation of various written products, e.g. drafting reference documents, analyses, notes, sections of reports and studies, etc.
• Reviews, analyses, and interprets M&E data collection, identifies issues/problems, and prepares preliminary findings.
• Identifies programmatic issues to be resolved and recommends corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and monitors follow-up actions.

Performs other tasks as required.

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle and ensure that MONUSCO organizational policy complies with all rules and regulations. On behalf of MONUSCO, contribute to the development of the following plans for approval by the Management Committee
• Maintain critical programme records / documents via any available tools/record.
• Ensure that all Programme activities comply with UNSDG Financial Regulations and Rules (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met, and payments are processed on time.
• In addition to a regular contribution to the Funds reporting, the Program Management Specialist, prepares/participates in various reports, including Highlight Reports, End Stage Reports, the Operational Closure Checklist, and the Handover Report.
• Understand and manage MONUSCO/MPTF/UNOPS pricing policy and related corporate charges as they apply to the Fund.
• Ensure implementing partner capacity is commensurate with funding requirements.
• Understand the structure and approaches of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel.
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).
• Ensure appropriate measures have been documented in a closure plan to facilitate the transition of operations in the final stage of delivery.

Knowledge Management:

• Actively interact with the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of FCS performance.
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

EDUCATION

• A higher-level diploma (Master or equivalent) in the field of International Relations, Political / Development Studies, Business / Public, Administration, Project Management or other relevant discipline is required
• A bachelor’s degree in these areas with 7 years of relevant experience is considered as equivalent.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education

EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of at least 5 years of progressive and responsible programme implementation and management.
• Experience of managing government and donor relations while working for an international organization or related experience.
• Demonstrable project management and fiduciary management skills are required.
• Experience in fund management or grant management is required
• Prior experience in supporting or managing implementation of multi-donor fund supported projects would be a strong asset
• Prior related experience in the UN system is an asset
• Experience in the usage of computers and in office software packages is required

LANGUAGE

• Full working knowledge of French and English is essential.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28766