* The position is open to both local and international candidates. The contract modality will be decided based on the project requirement.*

* Candidates are required to submit a cover letter on the preferred contract modality.

Please check the section “contract type, level and duration” for more information.*

* In the event that the local national is selected, the contract will be issued as Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) within the same position level as per UNOPS’ policy.*

Sri Lanka

UNOPS in Sri Lanka is based in Colombo and is responsible for helping the Government of Sri Lanka and partner organizations deliver social and economic rehabilitation in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami and decades of armed conflict.

UNOPS in Sri Lanka helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including physical infrastructure, the environment and poverty mitigation.

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process.

Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors.

UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability and accountability of Projects.

Key projects in Sri Lanka include the Technical Project Management support for the Maternal and Newborn Health Care Strengthening Project in Matara District, Sri Lanka funded by KOICA.

UNOPS Sri Lanka also facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

Project information

In June 2022, UNOPS signed a legal agreement with the South Asia Cooperative Environment Program (SACEP), an intergovernmental organization in South Asia, to support its implementation of the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) project that is funded by the World Bank.

The PLEASE project encompasses three components:

• Component 1: Supporting Competitive Block Grant Investments to Reduce Plastic Waste;
• Component 2: Leveraging Public and Private Sector Engagement and Solutions; and
• Component 3: Strengthening Regional Integration Institutions.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager, the Incumbent will lead institutional capacity building initiatives for SACEP under the project Component 3.

S/he will seek to understand the needs and requirements, support the design of a capacity building plan, and lead the implementation of relevant activities, including managing a team.

• Analyze existing assessment reports to identify capacity building needs and gaps; research and propose additional assessments to bridge the gaps;
• Liaise with stakeholders, including through key stakeholders of SACEP to understand strategic perspectives and capacity building directions; act as a bridge between SACEP stakeholders and SACEP by providing analysis and proposing approaches;
• Develop a work plan within the available budget and timeline in response to findings of needs assessment and address stakeholder concerns;
• Responsible for planning and timely delivery of all activities under the institutional capacity building initiative, including ensuring work-package plan is integrated with the overall project plan, interdependencies duly identified and planned for, and risks and issues are escalated and managed effectively;
• Explore and propose different human resource strategies to implement activities with a deep understanding of the long term expectation and strategy of key stakeholders;
• Identify capacity building expertise that are needed, and lead the team to deliver agreed activities;
• Ensure timely implementation of the work plan within quality expectations of the clients; strive to increase stakeholder satisfaction through effective communication, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms;
• Effective team management, including managing their performance through quarterly assessment to confirm the effectiveness of activities designed and the improvements of institutional systems and processes;
• Design key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor implementation, project impact, and its alignment with the stakeholder expectation;
• Take into consideration of project sustainability and UNOPS exiting strategy, propose initiatives for continued improvement and capacity building for SACEP;
• Promotion of Good Governance principles of accountability, transparency, participation, non-discrimination and efficiency including linking these with the implementation of the PLEASE project, adoption of local/regional policies and/or regulations;
• Facilitate the provision of a long term capacity building plan for SACEP including KPIs, provide analysis on resource requirement, and propose ways to meet such requirement through close stakeholder consultations;
• Gain understanding of the overall PLEASE project, the strategy of key stakeholders, and seek to provide solutions that create synergies and overarching support.

Education

• Master’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience OR;

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.

Experience

• 5 years of relevant progressive experience in the development sector involving project development and management, with focus on institutional capacity building, project planning, monitoring, reporting and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.

• Experience in conducting institutional governance and processes analysis, and building institutional capacity is required.

• Experience in team management is required.

• Proven experience of project implementation in close collaboration with government/intergovernmental authorities preferred.

• Previous work experience with the UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies is preferred.

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is an advantage.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English is required.

Contract duration:

1) Full-time open-ended position, or
2) Several possible short-term / part-time opportunities (see below).

Both are subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Note:

• The position is open to both local and international candidates.