occupied Palestinian territory: Director, Jerusalem Office and Centre of Excellence for Project Management and Infrastructure

Background Information - Job-specific

The UNOPS Jerusalem Office began operations in 2006 and has successfully delivered a number of projects for a range of partners. Currently the Office serves the needs of the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), working in harmony with the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority, international donors, UN agencies and other partners.The Jerusalem Office Director reports to the Regional Director, Middle East who provides broad supervision and guidance. The Office Director is responsible for providing the intellectual, conceptual, technical and managerial leadership for developing the strategies, priorities and implementation plans for concrete results for business development, and for overall supervisory guidance of the Office to support their delivery results and targets. The Office also acts as UNOPS Infrastructure and Project Management Center of Excellence.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Jerusalem Office leadership
• Lead to the development of the Office strategy and programme portfolio in collaboration with the Regional Director and ensure alignment with corporate and regional strategic directions.
• Identify priorities and manage the implementation of work plans to manage the strategic and operational risks associated with the Office portfolio of engagements.
• Transform the Office strategy into an annual work plan for the Office in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• Monitor implementation, oversee progress of the annual work plan and take decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned.
• Plan and propose to the Regional Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity.
• Plan, recruit and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Oversee, monitor and direct the establishment of appropriate security measures to ensure the protection and safety of personnel and organisational assets and properties.

2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for partnerships and portfolio development
• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and the Regional Director) 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 country through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.
• Keep the Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and partnerships development in the country.

3. Service delivery and quality assurance
• Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the country office portfolio according to partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
• Take overall responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Office, including submitting approved financial reports.
• Provide advice to the Regional Director and peers on opportunities to further enhance UNOPS’ sustainable contribution to the achievement of results in the country.
• Implement internal performance and quality control systems for the Office including tracking and reporting of financial and project delivery management.
• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of the Office with the organisational/regional/country strategies and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability and to ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

4. Infrastructure and Project Management Centre of Excellence (CEO)
• Manage and supervise the Head of the Centre of Excellence in Jerusalem and guide the COE to continue it’s organizational role model of infrastructure and project management standards, methodology and project management. .
• In coordination with the Infrastructure and Project Management Group drive new and innovative ideas that will advance UNOPS as a partner of choice and position UNOPS strategically in project management and infrastructure within global development agendas.
• Through the Head of the Centre of Excellence provide expert advice both internally within UNOPS and externally to partners on the implementation and evaluation of UNOPS standards, policies and strategic initiatives relating to Infrastructure and Project Management.
• With the Infrastructure and Project Management Group, champion UNOPS infrastructure and project management services at the global level, providing a link between the Headquarters and field offices/projects.
• Assist the Infrastructure and Project Management Group to drive knowledge sharing and capacity development in infrastructure and project management, ensuring collaboration and continuous feedback.
• Keep the Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges facing the COE and seek advice as needed.

5. Representation and inter-agency partnership
• Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organisation and influence policy discussion.
• Contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, including the development and implementation of the UNDAF/One Program, integrated Strategic Framework and 'Delivering as One'.
• Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT) and other senior and relevant group to ensure UNOPS position and interests are clearly articulated and/or met.
• Ensure UNOPS representation in the Operations Management Team (OMT), as well as relevant groups under the UNDAF and the humanitarian coordination appeals and mechanisms e.g. sector working groups.
• Serve as a member of the UN Security Management Team and in line with the UN Security Management System Framework of Accountability support the UN Designated Official in discharging his/her mandate related to the safety and security of all UNOPS personnel, premises and assets.
• Keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).

6. Knowledge management and innovation
• Oversee the successful implementation of policies, standards and tools to effectively manage business development within the assigned portfolio to enhance/maintain UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of effective project services for sustainable results.
• Lead the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practice and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievements.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organisation of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:
A Master’s degree in a relevant field is required.
Internationally recognized project management certification, ideally Prince 2 Practitioner is desired.
A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organisation.
Experience working in and providing comprehensive infrastructure services for post-conflict, post-disaster environments is an asset.
Demonstrated people management experience, including managing large / diverse teams.
Some experience in the UN system organisations and/or a developing country/or in Middle East is an asset.

Language Requirements:
Full working knowledge of English.
Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Additional Considerations Please apply via the following link https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=12618

Additional Considerations

Please apply via the following link https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=12618

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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 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.

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.