Vacancy code: VA/2015/B0059/7047

Position title: Deputy Director - Sustainable Project Management Practice Group

Level: ICS-12

Department/office: Sustainable Project Management

Duty station: Copenhagen, Denmark

Contract type: Fixed Term

Contract level: P5

Duration: 1 year

Application period: 12-Mar-2015 to 26-Mar-2015

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Sustainable Project Management Practice Group (SPMPG) leads the organizations project management centre in three core functions:

• Providing strategic direction and enhance professionalization and success in project delivery through improved project management policies and processes and implementation, provision of expert corporate advice and guidance and strengthening the knowledge, skills and competencies of a cadre of project management practitioners.
• Establishing UNOPS leadership and credibility in project management through delivery of cutting edge knowledge, innovation and best practices in project management to clients and partners.
• Supporting opportunities for project management services for partners and clients and appropriate resources for service delivery.

The Deputy Director, SPMPG supervises members of the Project Management Practice Group and reports to the Director, SPMPG who provides broad supervision and guidance.

The Deputy Director, SPMPG performs the role of the Director SPMPG during his/her absence.

The Deputy-Director, SPMPG assists the Director SPMPG on contributions to corporate strategy, operational decisions, excellence and the prioritization and alignment of the corporate improvement agenda.

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

Functional Responsibilities

The Deputy Director supports the Director SPMPG in the following areas of her/his responsibility

• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the Project Management Practice Group, including specific operational and project development, decision making and provision of expert counsel for internal and external stakeholders, including management and project management practitioners.
• Lead and increase the project management maturity of the organization including deepening expertise, certifications, and best practices.
• Supervise personnel by providing them with clear objectives and goals as well as direction and guidance to enable them to perform their duties and responsibilities effectively and efficiently and to promote learning and career/personnel development.
• Provide advice on strategic project management issues, including risks, performance analysis and lead corporate initiatives for the achievement of UNOPS strategy.
• Keep abreast of and be adept in contemporary project management techniques and industry practices as they impact UNOPS objectives and lead UNOPS efforts to further external certification in the field of Project Management.
• Represent UNOPS project management in the development sector, with partners and beneficiaries and with relevant academic and professional institutions, as required.
• Place UNOPS at the forefront of project management practice / and ensure UNOPS is contributing to industry and sector knowledge e.g. through briefs, white-papers etc., on relevant topics of information.
• Advocate for UNOPS project management in the development sector, with partners and beneficiaries and with relevant academic and professional institutions, as required.

The Deputy Director will also be responsible for the following

• Manage daily operational activities of the Sustainable Project Management Practice Group and s/he will be essential to coordinate the delivery of training, tools, techniques that directly and concretely improve the ability of project managers and teams to deliver projects that have more impact with the same amount of funds.
• Develop the annual work plan in collaboration with the SPMPG team, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client focused services. Monitor implementation and oversee progress.
• Work in close collaboration with UNOPS Delivery Practices, Programme/Project Managers and operational personnel in the various units across the UNOPS and liaise with Regional Office, OC/PC/Cluster(s). S/he will be expected to contribute to the UNOPS Delivery Practices engagements, capturing best practice, liaising with and developing policy recommendations with Management Practice Leads, supporting information technology improvements to relevant UNOPS Corporate IT systems and contributing to the PM Community of Practice and the Knowledge Management.
• Provide advisory support to the Regional Offices, OC Directors, PC Managers and Portfolio Managers on UNOPS business case, engagement risks, management models, selecting the appropriate methodology for a given engagement and managing start up and closure;
• Travel to other regions, OH/OC/PC/Cluster(s) to assist in project development/negotiations with Project Implementing Partners and clients where and when requested;
• Undertake missions to project implementation facilities to report progress and identify and solve operational problems
• Provide necessary advice and support during the 'formulation phase' of new initiatives with focus on quality assurance and quality control of project documents, costing and cost implications, implementation plan, milestones and benchmark indicators and adherence to UNOPS project approval processes and procedures;
• Provide expertise and support in implementation of PRINCE2®, UNOPS PM methodology, Project Implementation standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, OH&S etc.;
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNOPS
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability, with an overall commitment to diversity
• Translates corporate goals into actionable plans and specific strategies

Functional Competencies

• Excellent theoretical, intellectual and technical skills in project management principles and approaches and to apply these knowledge to achieve results
• Strong analytical and planning skills, ability to build a positive and strong team spirit with staff.
• Results focused, with the energy and ability to manage multiple competing priorities;
• Leadership and managerial skills for strategic planning and building teams for results
• Ability to impart knowledge and experience with colleagues and clients
• Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationship with peers and direct/in-direct reports towards achieving common goals;
• Ability to develop and roll out project management processes and principles that will make a difference in day to day implementation of projects
• Excellent communications skills and computer literacy;
• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models and to introduce new approaches and strategic innovations

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An Advance university degree (Master's or equivalent) in engineering, project management, business administration, public administration, economics or other related field is required.

Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in project management is required.
• Some experience in infrastructure international development, construction management, post-conflict environment, and/or change management is an asset.

Language Requirements

• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and editing skills.
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is an asset.

Certifications

• Certification in PRINCE2® Practitioner is required.
• PMP certification is highly desirable.
• Other internationally recognized certification such as MSP, PgMP, P3O, MoP, PfMP is an asset.
• Familiarity with UNOPS project management, physical infrastructure, procurement, HR and finance policies and procedures will be considered advantageous;

Contract type, level and duration

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT AND ONLY CANDIDATES WORKING AT UNOPS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment

Contract level: International Professional Category P5

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:

www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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.
• For staff positions 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.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.

Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN INTERNAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT AND ONLY CANDIDATES WORKING AT UNOPS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY

Please note this position is currently encumbered under a different contractual modality.

Application information: https://gprs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=7047