Location:

Amman, Jordan
Salary:

$107,251 - $139,922 / YEAR
Job type:

FULL_TIME
Posted:

2 months ago
Category:

Management and Strategy, Project Management
Deadline:

07/11/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

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.

Please note that when the situation allows, the location of this position will be changed to Beirut, Lebanon. Amman, Jordan is therefore only a temporary location for this position and the selected candidate must be in agreement with a future reassignment to Lebanon.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

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

1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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.

Competencies

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.

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.

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

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Fixed-term/ staff contract
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.