Head of Programme, UNMAS Somalia

Background UNMAS- Somalia
Since 2009 UNMAS has been mandated through the UN Support Office to AMISOM (UNSOA) to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with training and mentoring in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device – defeat (IED-D), provided the relevant specialized equipment and the use of explosive detection dogs (EDD). The AMISOM support project is the core UNMAS project and contains a number of sub-projects within the whole.

In addition UNMAS is mandated through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to deliver projects associated with: Weapons and Ammunition Management; stabilization and employment; humanitarian demining; EOD/IED-D with the Somali Police Force, and capacity development with the State body for Explosive Hazard Management and the coordination of humanitarian demining.

UNMAS, a component of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, draws upon project management services from UNOPS for implementation of its field operations

Functional Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Director of the Somalia Mine Action Programme, the Head of Programme will have overall management responsibility for programme delivery throughout Somalia, and UNMAS representational duties with the UNSOA and UNSOM missions at senior management level on explosive hazard management issues. In the absence of the Programme Director, the Head of Programme will act as the Deputy Programme Director and can expect to represent UNMAS at regular meetings of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG); the Security Management Meeting; the Senior Management Group; the Crisis Management Group; and the United Nations Country Team.

The Head of Programme will play a critical role in the development and implementation of strategies and practices necessary to develop the Programme further for the implementation of projects, while meeting and exceeding the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The Head of Programme will be a senior manager within the Programme structure, with overall responsibility for a broad portfolio of competencies and capabilities with significant expected growth across various performance indicators.

Functions and Responsibilities:

Programme Management and Coordination

1. Proactively monitor the Programme’s overall progress;
2. Manage and resolve risks and issues and initiate corrective action as appropriate;
3. Effectively coordinate projects and their interdependencies;
4. Ensure successful delivery of new capabilities as per the Managing Successful Programmes (MSP) standard;
5. Ensure that the delivery of outputs or services from the projects meet programme requirements in line with the programme blueprint and projects dossier, and is to the appropriate quality, on time and within budget;
6. Mentor and assist the Project Managers with planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects/service agreements, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management in the service delivery processes;
7. Develop standard project management and service costing tools, and develop the project management and technical skills of the Project Managers and other project personnel;
8. Provide timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting;
9. Develop and drive a culture of excellence, continuous improvement and performance optimization across all projects;
10. Establish clear performance objectives, with appropriate measures for all projects and project staff within the programme;
11. Identify potential new business and customer opportunities;
12. Develop and maintain a close working relationship with donors, Governments and clients; and
13. Report progress of the programme at regular intervals to the Programme Director

Fiscal Responsibilities

1. Manage the programme’s budget, monitor the expenditures and costs as the programme progresses;
2. Provide guidance and oversight to the Programme Management Unit (PMU) with overall resource planning for the programme;
3. Provide strategic advice on the development of pricing strategies, in full compliance with UNOPS pricing policy, with a disciplined approach to business case development and pricing models which balances revenues and development capacity, within the mandate and spirit of the United Nations;
4. Supervise the development of revenue and expenditure forecasts based on established financial goals;
5. Responsible for certifying and authorizing disbursements.

Technical Functions

1. Ultimately responsible for the delivering capabilities and relevant outcomes of the Programme, meeting and exceeding donor and client expectations.
2. Research, identify, and introduce appropriate new technologies to assist delivery of capabilities and outcomes across the programme.
3. Plan, develop, implement and maintain appropriate standards, best practices and procedures across the Programme.

Human Resource Responsibilities

1. In consultation with the Programme Director, facilitate the appointment of individuals to project delivery teams and ensure relevant induction of personnel into organizational policies and processes
2. Ensure that all roles have clearly defined responsibilities
3. Conduct personnel skills gap assessments and initiate relevant trainings
4. Conduct personnel performance reviews in accordance with current UNOPS HR Policies, conduct personnel surveys, analyse results and initiate appropriate responses.
5. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the programme management team, senior managers, project teams and third-party service providers.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

1. Advanced degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in project management, public administration, social science or other relevant related field is required.
2. Minimum 10 years of experience in leadership/ project/ programme/ portfolio management roles.
3. Extensive experience in best practice implementation.
4. Substantial field based experience and demonstrated delivery of projects and programme in conflict and/or post conflict situations.
5. Previous experience of United Nations Mission contexts is an advantage.
6. Preferably PRINCE2 Practitioner and MSP Practitioner certified.
7. Previous management experience within UNOPS a key advantage.
8. Fluency in both written and oral English required. Knowledge of a second UN working language is desirable.
9. Previous experience in overseeing central aspects of programme(s) e.g. budget(s), human resources management, clients relations, risk management , programme monitoring and evaluation is desirable
10. A proven track record in strategic planning and strategic analysis is an asset

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send your applications by applying on the UNOPS Website on this Link:

https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=8235

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-of...

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.