Project Management Support Specialist 143 views0 applications

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 – Mali Programme

Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination as a result of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council Resolution 2584 (2021). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:

• Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.

Functional Responsibilities:

The Project Management Support Specialist will work under the supervision of the Project Manager for UNMAS SSP Project. They will act as the planning focal point for the project.

Summary of Key Functions:

● Manage all planning activities relating to the project.

● Manage project budgeting, cash flow and procurement activities.

● Manage monitoring and evaluation activities.

● Deputise for the Project Manager in their absence.

In relation to the above key functions, the Project Management Support Specialist will conduct the following tasks:

● Support the project Manager in the design of plans of action (multi-year strategy, annual and monthly work plans, procurement plan, recruitment plan, budget plan) and oversee Project team members contribution to planning works;

● Monitor the implementation of the project activities and maintain monitoring tools;

● Design, maintenance and monitor management documents (work packages, risk register, issue logs, stakeholder map, storyboards);

● Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the implementation progress.

● Ensure that Project budget and cash flow is maintained and managed.

● Proactively coordinate the planning and delivery of activities with Operations and Support Services;

● Ensure policy coherence for all planning involving IED threat mitigation, in line with current Mission SOP, UNMAS policy, and the Counter-IED framework in Mali.

● Liaise and build relationships within MINUSMA for the purpose of facilitating activities

● Provide IED Mitigation inputs for the establishment and development of MINUSMA standard operational procedures.

● Document plans and processes;

● Identify and compile the lessons learned. Focus shall be placed on continuous technical improvement within the project, comprising advisory services, training, mentorship, equipment, service provision, and direct implementation of IED threat mitigation measures;

● Act as OIC for the project in the absence of the Project Manager;

● Supervise Project Administration Associate

● Implement any other tasks as requested by the Project Manager.

Education/Experience/Language Requirements

a. Education:

● Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with minimum 5 years of relevant experience; OR

● First Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with minimum 7 years of relevant experience; OR

● Military Experience (or relevant Police Experience) at the Senior NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer) or Officer level (or equivalent) with a minimum of 11 years of relevant experience

b. Work Experience

● Relevant experience is progressive experience in implementing and managing projects and/or programmes

● Experience in managing projects within explosive threat mitigation operations is desirable;

● Experience in improvised explosive devices disposal (IEDD) and/or Search and/or IED threat mitigation roles is desirable.

c. Language

●Fluent in English (read, write and speak) is required

●Intermediate French (read, write and speak) is desired

Competencies:

Strategic Perspective: Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.**(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)**

Integrity & Inclusion: 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.

Leading Self and Others : 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.

Partnering: 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).

Results Orientation: 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.

Agility: 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.

Solution Focused: 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.

Effective Communication: 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.

Contract Type/Level/Duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement
Contract level: IICA 2 (ICS10)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Additional Considerations:

• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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.
• 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.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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.