Director
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Location: Amman, Jordan – with frequent travel to Iraq
Last Date: June 25, 2008
Email: recruitmentdubai@unops.org
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the largest service provider in the United Nations system, working on behalf of more than 30 UN departments and organizations as well as for International Financial Institutions and host governments. UNOPS Iraq Operations Centre (IQOC) services the needs of post-conflict Iraq, working in harmony with the Iraqi Government, International Donors, UN Agencies, and others. In Jordan, UNOPS has recently established the Jordan Operations Centre (JOOC). As the implementing arm of the UN, UNOPS IQOC and JOOC both manage development projects and provide specialized project-management services within the UN mandate in Iraq and Jordan.
As part of the Middle East Office (MEO), IQOC/JOOC support UNOPS services in Iraq and Jordan from its office in Amman/Jordan (pending resumption of international staff assignments in Iraq). For its clients in Iraq and soon in Jordan, the office provides a range of project management and related services that combine logistics, procurement, contract management, human resources, administration/financial management, institutional reforms and governance strengthening, local economical development capacity building and reporting.
With the ever-changing situation in Iraq, UN international staff or UN international contracted personnel cannot routinely travel to Iraq, thus the complete implementation of the activities in Iraq relies on the national staff, international and local NGOs, and private firms and companies. In this context, a remote-control approach to implementation and management has been initiated by the UN system and UNOPS is required to find innovative solutions and approaches to ensure delivery of activities and facilitate the smooth implementation, while ensuring that local staff members are not exposed, to the maximum possible, to any security complications.
Purpose of the Post:
In the past, IQOC has successfully delivered its programme in conflict/post-conflict Iraq, responding to the needs and opportunities in a post-conflict country. The OC Director will need to assess the changing Iraqi political, physical, and humanitarian needs and guide the organization, ensuring responsiveness to the needs and priorities expressed by the elected Iraqi leadership as well as the donor community, ensuring that the Programme continues to grow on a full cost-recovery basis. Likewise, he/she will need to assess the situation in Jordan and to build a portfolio in line with the requirements and requests of both the Jordanian government and the International donor community.
Under the overall guidance of the MEO Regional Director, the OC Director manages the daily activities of the programmes for both Iraq and Jordan, performs business development activities, oversees project operations, liaises with Donors, local organizations/NGO’s, Vendors, the UN Country Teams, and the Governments of Iraq and Jordan.
Objectives:
Management and supervision of IQOC/JOOC operations.
Acting as the representative for UNOPS and as interface with the Host Governments.
Improved profile of UNOPS in Iraq and Jordan and creation of successful partnerships.
Increase in the size of the current Iraq portfolio and creation of a successful Jordan portfolio
Effectiveness of delivery by assessing the current situations in Iraq and Jordan and development of a vision and strategic plan to establish UNOPS as the most viable and attractive provider of choice.
Timely completion of quality projects within budget restraints and with full cost recovery.
Provision of support to the Regional Director’s office with outcome of the road map of excellence process that benefits UNOPS as a whole.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Oversees and controls the project portfolio of some $50 to $100 mill. per annum with projected growth.
• Conducts effective oversight and control of the fiscal health of the office.
• Develops internal performance tracking and reporting from both a financial and project delivery management perspective.
• Controls a Delegation of Authority of up to $100,000 to oversee and approve contracts based on a competitive selection process and the submission for contract approval to the Regional Director and the Headquarters Contracts and Procurement Committee (HQCPC).
• Assesses the requirements of the Governments of Iraq (GOI) and Jordan (GOJ) and other UNOPS direct/indirect clients and in conjunction with them, identifies and develops opportunities for UNOPS to provide services.
• Oversees conceptual, analytical processes to translate national strategies into policy-driven programmes. Guides the elaboration of strategic programme documents and their translation into results-based projects.
• Oversees the programme cycle from sustainable programmes – from formulation through evaluation.
• Provides technical advice, training and coordination functions to improve sustainable programmes, including Infrastructure/Rehabilitation, Governance/Social Development, and Service Provision.
• Provides technical expertise to the UN Country Teams in Iraq and Jordan and the government ministries and supports the development and implementation of the overall Programme.
• Develops and oversees proposals, project documents and agreements in connection with identified opportunities and in cooperation with the clients.
• Builds up the capacity of the office in accordance with UNOPS’ standards and in proportion to the business acquired and implemented.
• Identifies and supervises the development of Client-oriented management systems in the interest of cost-sharing partnerships and promotes networks to access and share knowledge.
• Communicates activities with UN system partners, UNOPS Headquarters, other clients, the media, and with the GOI or GOJ and keeps them informed of UNOPS activities.
• Represents UNOPS in the framework of the UN Country Teams and the Security Management Teams in Iraq and Jordan.
• Monitors and controls programme/project implementation, reviews progress, identifies constraints and takes corrective action.
• Provides financial and administrative reports to the Regional Director in the areas of regional business development.
• Acts as UNOPS coordination point with the GOI and GOJ, the Representatives of UN Agencies, the EU, and other international cooperation entities to ensure adequate coordination of the activities of UNOPS in Iraq and Jordan and discusses problems and seeks solutions to issues that may arise, and maintains consultation to ensure follow-up on business opportunities.
• Coordinates activities with other UN Agencies and coordination bodies on behalf of UNOPS on Inter-Agency matters, and ensures timely distribution of information to all relevant UNOPS staff.
• Maintains regular contacts and liaises with the appropriate level at Government entities to provide programme information and clarification in order to ensure appropriate follow up action in connection with visas, clearance of equipment, privileges and immunities as well as tax exemption, etc.
• Communicates with the relevant UNOPS staff on matters pertaining to their respective responsibilities.
• Reviews and develops the management team.
• Prepares reports on the overall office status.
• Implements the rules and regulations of the UN, while finding creative solutions to the needs of project delivery.
Carries out marketing and business development for UNOPS with UN agencies, GOI, GOJ and multilateral/bilateral agencies and prepares related documentation.
Required Selection Criteria
Competencies
• Current knowledge of programme, management, and development issues and strategies, as well as programming policies and procedures in international development cooperation.
• Ability to assess and determine the current needs and opportunities for UNOPS in Iraq and Jordan, to provide the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOPS, and to make strategic and tactical decisions to establish the office as the provider of choice in both countries.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, innovate, plan and execute ideas, as well as to motivate staff, impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Proven ability to create and manage complex fiscal budgetary needs and remote-controlled performance based metrics.
• Proven successful management of a delivery-based operation, with over 50 international and national staff.
• Proven ability to have performed successful business development netting over US$100 Million (cumulatively).
• Leadership and organizational ability.
• Senior level analytical, negotiation, communication and advocacy skills as well as political sensitivity.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Experience in management in the private sector, preferably entrepreneurial.
Education/Experience/Language
• Advanced university degree in any of the following; Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Relations, Business Administration, Organizational Development, Management, Marketing/PR, Engineering, or other fields related to the work of UNOPS.
• Minimum 15 years’ work experience at the national and international levels in social development, business development, management, and programme management.
• Previous work experience in Iraq and/or Jordan is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is essential and must be able to effectively communicate in both oral and written form; working knowledge of a second language, preferably Arabic is an asset.
Submission of Applications
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) English Version or French Version, to UNOPS Middle East Office, via e-mail to recruitmentdubai@unops.org Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.
Additional Considerations
- 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 reserves the right to appoint a selected candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.
For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.