Project Management Support - Senior Officer

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

The Project Management Support Senior Officer (Liaison) will support the Project team to liaise with relevant DFA counterparts. The role is key to facilitate both the access to DFA counterparts and the access of project technical teams to the selected sites (engineering, contractors, assessors) during the project implementation.

Role Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager (SPM), the Project Management Support Senior Officer (Liaison) focuses on providing support in stakeholder mapping, liaison, project planning, strategy, risk management, team management, and internal facilitation to ensure effective project implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Stakeholder Mapping, Data Collection, and Analysis

• Assess, analyze, and map the DFA relevant offices (all central, provincial, and district levels) and representatives, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
• Share such knowledge with the SPM and the project team to enable them to understand what information can be found and where, and what level of accuracy should be expected.
• Navigate the DFA organizational structure to collect necessary information (documentation, records, and any other source of information) and share it with the rest of the team.
• Support in the interpretation of data collected to contextualize them and avoid misunderstanding.

2. Stakeholder Liaison and External Coordination

• Advise the project team on how to build collaborative connections with DFA representatives that will facilitate and support the project implementation.
• Monitor the progress of any interaction and communication between UNOPS and stakeholders and across stakeholders, including the DFA.
• Proactively follow up with DFA and other project stakeholders if/when any blockage materializes in the process of communications and or exchange of data and information.
• When necessary, lead and or assist in the interactions between technical teams and relevant DFA stakeholders to act as a facilitator and drive smooth interaction.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of a communication strategy (advise on how to properly explain the project aim, challenges, and positive impact) to create a collaborative environment with the various stakeholders.

3. Project Planning, Strategy, and Risk Management

• Work with the SPM, advising and sharing experience (in coordination with stakeholders) to produce appropriate plans and strategies necessary for the implementation of the project.
• Advise the project team about risks that might affect the project implementation.
• Collaborate with the project team in the crafting of reasonable and sensible implementation scenarios.
   

4. Team Management and Internal Facilitation

• When agreed with the SPM, manage, supervise, and delegate the tasks to the other project team personnel, such as community mobilizers, to carry out coordination and facilitation activities (especially when coordination with local community members is needed).

Skills

Conflict Resolution, Data Analysis, Government Relations, Negotiation, Stakeholder Management, Effective communication

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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 Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree preferably in political science, economics, law, engineering, international development, or other relevant fields with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience in stakeholders management, government relations, planning or project/programme management involving government counterparts, management of partnerships, negotiation or conflict resolution, interacting with DFA structures, government structures formally and informally, management and or general knowledge of functioning systems, procedures and informal practices of the Afghanistan government/DFA.

Desired

• Experience in the management of government projects/programmes in infrastructure and procurement. 

• Experience within the international development and/or humanitarian sector. 

• Experience in preparing and delivering presentations. 

• Project management of infrastructure and/or procurement projects experience.

• Experience in roles that required analytical skills, resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment.

Language Requirements

Language                                Proficiency Level                      Requirement

 English                                        Fluent                                    Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/2985