UNOPS

Job Vacancy

National Programme Officer

Job categories: Programme Management

Vacancy code:  VA/2022/B5023/23601

Department/office:  NYSC, PSC, Palestine Project Unit

Duty station:  Gaza, State of Palestine

Contract type:  Local ICA Specialist

Contract level:  LICA Specialist-8

Duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Application period:  21-Mar-2022 to 03-Apr-2022

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

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Background Information - PSC

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners.  It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients.  The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

 Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – UNMAS

Established in 1997, UNMAS leads, coordinates and implements mine action under United Nations legislative mandates of both the General Assembly and the Security Council. UNMAS supports the UN's vision of "a world free from the threat of mines,

explosive remnants of war (ERW) including cluster munitions, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs), where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to sustainable peace and development where no one is left behind, where the human rights and the needs of victims are met and where they are fully integrated as equal members of their societies."

 Functional Responsibilities

Under the supervisor of Head of Project (HPU), the National Programme Officer’s (Programme Management Specialist) duties and responsibilities are as follows:

 Functional responsibilities include:

A. Functions / Key Results

1. Support in the development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities
2. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration
3. Programme management support
4. Knowledge management and document management

1. Development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities

• Support the monitoring of humanitarian and development trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity. 
• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in programme design as relevant. 
• Support the management team to translate the Country Programme Strategy (CPS) into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
• Support the identification, design, and formulation of new activities to meet programme objectives.
• Provide information and support in the drafting and preparation of programme documents, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
• Support the draft and/or review of funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
• In coordination with headquarters Resource Mobilization personnel, support the review, submission, negotiation, and signature of funding agreements.

2. Programme management support

• Analyze funding agreements and support the development of compliance plans, the monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and the management of team to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with UNMAS headquarters (HQ). 
• Support the monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements.  
• Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, donors, and headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, Coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding agreements.
• Promote the importance of gender mainstreaming in project implementation and provide advice and reporting on relevant gender-related indicators.
• Prepare, and provide editing support for, high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project and donor reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, ad hoc, and UN reports.
• Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
• Coordinate communications between the Country Programme office and the headquarters Programme, Portfolio Management, and Risk, Quality and Partnership teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.

3. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

• Support in establishing and building relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• Participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms. 
• Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials. 

• Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
• Contribute to the implementation of the relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme development and implementation.
• Contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance.
• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes. 

** Carry out any other related duties as needed.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Work Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.
• Experience in coordination, partnership, donor reporting, managing donor agreements, or preparing project proposals is desired.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of project implementation is desired.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required (speaking, reading, and writing)
• Fluency in Arabic is required (speaking, reading, and writing)

 Competencies

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.  

Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 Contract type, level and duration

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

 Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.