Project Coordinator Job at United Nations Office for Project Services

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Coordinator

Vacancy Code: VA/2018/B5001/16845
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Level: ICS-11
Job Categories: Project Management
Department/office: NYSC, Peace and Security Cluster
Contract Type: International ICA
Duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance.

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.
• The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and 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. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

Functional Responsibilities
Under a dual reporting line, the incumbent of this position will report to:

• UNMAS Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section in designing and implementing the UNMAS Nigeria project in accordance with the UNMAS mandate and strategy, and will report to
• Head of PSC on operational management, efficient/effective use of resources and compliance against the UN and UNOPS rules and regulations.

Stakeholder Coordination and Relationship Building:

• Liaise, negotiate and coordinate with relevant national authorities;
• Develop and maintain collaboration with the RC/HC, the UNCT, the HCT, UN agencies, local authorities and other relevant partners;
• Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, and hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions;
• Support the identification of and building of relationships with national institutions, respective governmental authorities, donors, and international partners, including UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, engaged in addressing the issue of mine action/explosive threat and its impact on local communities.
• Under delegated authority, the Project Coordinator will also advocate and provide advice to relevant stakeholders on all mine action issues, and do so in accordance with recognized international standards, and in acknowledgement of the relevant international treaties;
• Establish and chair the Mine Action Area of Responsibility under the auspices of the Protection Cluster;
• Coordinate mine action actors, with the objective of ensuring effective prioritization of tasks, utilization of resources, and encouraging common messaging by all UN, governmental, non-governmental and commercial implementers of mine action activities countrywide;

Expected result: Mine action activities in Nigeria are coordinated and prioritized, and endorsed by the larger UN and humanitarian community and national authorities. All stakeholders are regularly informed of the status of the UNMAS Nigeria Project on a timely basis.

Strategic Policy, Advice, and Advocacy:

• Provide advice to UNMAS HQ on the evolution of the humanitarian situation in Nigeria, including potential measures and actions to be taken by UNMAS Nigeria to protect civilians;
• Provide policy guidance to the Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section on strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies and mandates;
• Provide substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to key stakeholders including bilateral donors, intergovernmental bodies, the General Assembly, the Security Council and other policymaking organs, as appropriate;
• Provide inputs and technical advice to strategic and analysis documents by the RC/HC, the UNCT, the HCT and the Protection Cluster as requested;

Expected result: UNMAS strategic activities are aligned with relevant UN international, regional and national strategies and frameworks relevant to mine action.

Project Management, Delivery, Administration and Performance of UNMAS funded activities:

• Coordinate and ensure the necessary strategic and managerial, support required for the fulfilment of the UNMAS Nigeria project mandate are carried out in a responsible and timely fashion and are in line with UN quality standards and institutional values. This support includes areas such as planning, budgeting, project and financial reporting, recruitment and human resources management, logistics, communications, staff training, and monitoring and evaluation and programmatic and substantive reviews.
• Collect, coordinate, analyze, and disseminate data relating to humanitarian mine action activities.
• Actively empower and support key local stakeholders on mine action-related issues as required.
• Approve draft Statements of Work (SOW) for inclusion in Requests for Proposals (RFP) issued by UNOPS for proposed mine action activities in Nigeria.
• Develop and implement the UNMAS Nigeria project work plan;
• Promote and support compliance with technical, safety and quality international standards and guidelines;
• This position may also entail safety and security responsibilities within the geographical area of responsibility, including the protection of all personnel, assets, property and information belonging to the UNMAS Nigeria Project;
• This position will be integrated within the administrative setup of the UNMAS Nigeria Project (i.e. office structure, DOAs, oU functions, segregation of duties, etc.). The incumbent will have responsibilities determined by UNOPS rules and regulations embodied in its regulatory framework – Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions and other documents as periodically issued and updated by UNOPS. Reporting lines with regards to compliance with UNOPS rules and regulations are ultimately to UNOPS Head of PSC through the Portfolio Manager responsible for Nigeria. In addition, division of responsibilities when it comes to administrative processes in support of the project objectives will be as determined for each country office and confirmed in writing by UNOPS Head of PSC.

Expected result: UNMAS Nigeria budget is delivered within spending deadlines and in accordance with UN/UNOPS Rules and Regulations.

Resource Mobilization and Communication:

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of resource mobilization efforts targeting in-country funding opportunities.
• Develop project concepts, proposals and funding requests for priority needs not covered by existing funding sources, in line with humanitarian needs;
• Support the fundraising activities of mine action actors in priority need areas, including through leadership on the development of the HNO and HRP and Portfolio of Mine Action Projects as required;
• Responsible for quality and timely reporting to donors on budget/project performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate;
• Develop public information tools on project activities. Provide input to the humanitarian needs assessments, and to other advocacy and humanitarian financing tools such as CERF, pooled funds, Humanitarian needs overview, humanitarian response plan etc.

Expected Result:  Response is appropriately resourced and financial reporting is timely and accurate. Funding opportunities within Nigeria are optimized through an active strategy to pursue opportunities.

Education/Experience/Language Requirements
Education and Relevant Years of Experience:

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or Equivalent) with 7 years of relevant experience; or
• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent)  with 9 years of relevant experience

Work Experience:

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in programme management, project management or business administration.
• Minimum 2 years of experience engaging in humanitarian work or development programmes is required.
• Experience  working with a variety of stakeholders is desirable.
• Experience in Mine Action is desired.
• Experience in Peacekeeping Operations is desired.
• Experience in producing reports and papers on substantive issues is required.
• 1 year of experience using MS Office is required.
• Experience working in UN / UNOPS is desired.

Languages:

• Fluency in English (reading, writing, speaking) is required.
• Knowledge of second official UN working language is desirable.

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• 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.

Deadline: 12th December, 2018; Midnight Copenhagen time (CET).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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.
• 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
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.