Senior Programme Manager

Background Information – Job-specific

The incumbent will manage the Nexus Response Mechanism (NRM) programme in Syria, funded by the EU.  The goal of the establishment of the Nexus Response Mechanism (hereinafter referred to as “Nexus Mechanism”) is to allow innovative, tailor made, flexible, rights-based activities along the humanitarian-development spectrum across Syria, in line with the Whole of Syria approach, and the UN parameters and principles of engagement in Syria. The objective of the programme is to contribute to resilience, security and sustainable development in Syria. The NRM specifically aims at reducing communities’ vulnerabilities through Programmes that increase their resilience through capacity development to prepare for future shocks, while addressing their immediate needs and challenges.

The programme will achieve the following results:     

Contextual knowledge and understanding through studies and assessments are produced and they inform the formulation of the programme strategy      

• Access to livelihood opportunities is enhanced and sustainable initiatives are promoted in order to allow phasing out from the “care and maintenance” aid dependence model in favour of more durable approaches
• Capacities of civil society organisations, and local and municipal service providers to deliver basic services (e.g. education, health, social protection, water and sanitation, land, shelter, registration, and housing) to conflict affected, displaced and returnee populations are strengthened;
• Local governance is informed by context and sector specific analysis, community and stakeholder input, tailored conflict and gender sensitive analysis and due diligence criteria monitoring that is performed collectively by local and international partners;
• Progress is made towards creating conditions for sustainable solutions for conflict affected, displaced populations and returnees.
• The achievement of the above listed results will be pursued through the implementation of Programmes whose activities will target short, medium and long term objectives incorporating Good Governance and Democracy considerations into Resilience and Access to services activities.
• The first year of the Programme will focus on the preparation of studies and assessments. These will inform the final selection of sub-Programmes and the second phase  will be contingent upon approval of these sub-Programmes by the relevant governance structure for the Programme. The Inception Report, prepared upon the completion of the studies and assessments, will include detailed analysis (including political economy analysis), strategy, stakeholder mapping, risk management, objectives to be pursued, costing, and exit strategy.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Programme Delivery and Performance
• Procedures
• Monitoring and reporting
• Stakeholder engagement
• Quality assurance
• Knowledge management and innovation
• Personnel management

Programme Delivery and Performance:

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)
• Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Steering Committee.
• Lead the Secretariat on the development and implementation of Nexus Mechanism programmes, and provide analysis, advice and support to the Steering Committee.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into Programme activities
• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
• Monitor Programme progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly
• Control Programme and work packages changes
• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Steering Committee so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential partnerships’ opportunities for UNOPS

Procedures 

• Comply with all organizational policy and specifically those related to grants management and Programme management
• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Steering Committee.
• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan
• Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
• Ensure maintenance of the Programme files and lessons learned are recorded
• Ensure the development and implementation of Programme financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the Programme
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the Programme Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
• For Programme closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the Programme to the closure manager
• Support Programme audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

Monitoring and reporting

• Prepare and issue regular Programme and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
• Regularly review Programme 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 Programme team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of Programmes’ life span.

Stakeholder engagement

• Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
• Establish solid working relationships with the Steering Committee, Advisory Board, the donor, current and potential partners, and key stakeholders
• Enable the formulation of Programme communications plans. Coordinate internal Programme communications. Monitor the effectiveness of Programme communications
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of Programme activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs
• Act as UNOPS Syria focal person for Nexus-related matters with the Government, UN partners, donor, civil society and implementing partners

Quality assurance

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure Programmes comply with audit requirements
• Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems
• Coordinate quality reviews of Programme documents and deliverables
• Provide quality control for management outputs (Programme documents, reports, etc.

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 Programme 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 Programme life span.
• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

Personnel Management

• Lead and motivate the Programme management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
• Select, recruit and train team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
• Ensure safety and security for all Programme personnel and comply with UNDSS standards
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: 

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent), preferably in law/human rights, social science, international development, business administration, public administration,  international relations or related areas is required
• Bachelor’s Degree with Additional 2 years of relevant work experience to the above duties and responsibilities may be accepted in lieu of Master Degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively relevant working experience in Programme Management is required and out of this at least five (5) years in conflict analysis, peacebuilding and reconciliation, recovery and livelihoods, humanitarian response or humanitarian development- peace nexus or related areas is required.
• Solid experience managing programs at a strategic level with financial oversight is required.
• Knowledge of aid architecture with at least two (2) years experience working in Grants Management is required.
• Demonstrated experience in managing assessments and/or studies prepared by external entities is required
• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, donors, Non-governmental organizations, the public sector and/or civil society is an asset.
• Proven track record of incorporating Human rights in programming and/or context analysis in a fragile state(s) and complex/protracted crisis is desirable.
• Working experience and knowledge in Syria will be a strong asset. Previous experience working in the Middle East will also be an asset.
• Solid experience of managing, or having worked in a senior position in EU funded programmes/Programmes as an asset.

Certification:

• PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner Certification is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken and written English is required;
• Knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28953