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Director [Multi Country Office]

Dakar

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Dakar
  • Grade: Senior Executive level - D-1, Director - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: 2024-01-31
Job categories Leadership
Vacancy code VA/2023/B5302/27204
Level ICS-13
Department/office AFR, SNMCO, Senegal MCO
Duty station Dakar, Senegal
Contract type Fixed Term
Contract level D1
Duration 2 years initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance
Application period 19-Dec-2023 to 31-Jan-2024
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

  1. People leadership

  2. Multi-Country Office portfolio management

  3. Alliance building, networking, and advocacy for business development

  4. Service delivery and quality assurance

  5. Representation and inter-agency coordination

  6. Knowledge management and innovation

1. People Leadership

  • Create, foster, and role model a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability across the Multi-Country Office locations.

  • Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

  • 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. 

  • Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity, by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team, to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

  • Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance. 

2. Multi Country Office portfolio management

  • Develop the strategy for the entire Multi Country Office, establish priorities and oversee the implementation of the portfolio, managing the operational risks associated with the Multi Country Office portfolio of engagements. 

  • Lead the MCO in the delivery of the UNOPS strategic plan and development and implementation of the annual business plan.

  • In collaboration with the MCO team and partners, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services. 

  • Guide, endorse and oversee the proposals and project document agreements in connection with identified opportunities across the Multi Country Office.

  • Set and endorse the objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner-oriented services across the Multi Country Office

  • Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.

  • Plan, propose to the Regional Director and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework. 

  • Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority.

  • Is responsible for managing the overall HSSE performance across the entire MCO while holding the accountability for the implementation of all HSSE requirements.

  • Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents, assets, property and information within the respective area of responsibility.  

  • In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.

3. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

  • Keep abreast and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.

  • Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new and existing partners.

  • Keep Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and business development in the geographical area.


4. Service delivery and quality assurance

  • With the support from the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, ensure appropriate arrangements for building excellence of business processes and quality standards. 

  • Build capability and ensure direct operational support for the units within the MCO.

  • Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Multi Country Office portfolio(s) according to partner expectations, approved budgets and full cost recovery. 

  • Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Multi Country Office portfolio

  • Provide advice to the Regional Director, peers and Country Managers on opportunities to further enhance UNOPS’ contribution to the achievement of partners results in the geographical area.

  • Ensure internal performance and quality management for the Multi Country Office, including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.

  • Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of the Multi Country Office with organizational/regional strategy and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability, and ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

5. Representation and inter-agency coordination

  • Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization, influence policy discussion and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.

  • Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT), and support the UNCT programming and advocacy activities.

  • Participate actively and effectively in UNCT meetings, and contribute to the formulation and implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Integrated Strategic Framework, and Delivering as One within the country of the main office for the Multi Country Office.

  • Is accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT, makes substantial contributions to the UNCT’s work, and assumes a leadership role as relates to UNOPS’ mandate.

  • Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness, including ensuring UNOPS active role in the Operations Management Teams (OMTs) and other senior management groups of the country team.

  • Keep UN Resident Coordinator abreast of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication, including a formal regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF.

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

  • Lead the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices approaches in the delivery of project services.

  • Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national development planning and knowledge building.

  • Lead the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

  • Establish priorities, in consultation with the Regional Director, for targeted investments in growth and innovation and as a member of the UNOPS global management team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance. 

  • Share knowledge with peers in other regional/country teams and corporate practice groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.



 Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly impacts on the development and performance of the portfolio, visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

  • A Master’s Degree or equivalent in relevant field such as Business Administration, Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Engineering or related studies is required.  

  • A Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent combined with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree (total of 12 years of experience).


Experience

  • A minimum of ten (10) years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations and/or program management in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.

  • At least  three (3) years of Senior Leadership experience including supervising senior professional staff and managing financial sustainability of operations, including at least 2 years in a country office is required. 

  • Experience in working in developing countries is desirable.

  • Experience in hardship or post conflict environments is desirable.

  • Experience partnering with the public sector on developing, implementing and/or evaluating  projects and programs of high national relevance is a distinctive advantage.

  • Broad understanding of UNOPS mission and its partners, UN, as well as UN mandate is an asset.


Language Requirements

  • Full working knowledge of English and French is required.  

  • Knowledge of other languages is desirable.
We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.
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