Programme Officer Job Vacancy at UNOPS Sudan

Vacancy code VA/2012/B5308/568
Job Title Programme Officer
Department/office AFO, Sudan
Duty station Khartoum, Sudan
Contract type International ICA
Contract level IICA-2
Duration 6 to 12 months
Application period 29-May-2012 to 31-Jul-2012
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Background Information - UNOPS

“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”
-Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

UNOPS employs around 3,500 personnel annually and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.
Background Information - Sudan

Sudan
The UNOPS Sudan office is based in Khartoum and works closely with the Government of Sudan and international partners to support humanitarian response, recovery and development initiatives. UNOPS is the United Nations sector lead for the Basic Infrastructure Sector in Sudan and helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: water resource management, education, census and elections, human resource management and mine action.
Functional Responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Office, SDPC Khartoum, the Programme Officer will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following functions and responsibilities:

General Project and Program Support:

    Support the conceptualization,  mobilization, start-up of projects and integration of the three UNOPS crosscutting themes (gender equality, capacity building, environment) as appropriate to project needs
    Support project services including recruitment, procurement and financial management and ensure proper hand-over of all project documents to Project Managers and other Project staff as soon as recruited.
    Support the office in communication, public relation matters as well as donor and government liaison by preparing and disseminating articles, project updates and relevant reports.
    Support project implementation by acting as project manager for interim periods in the absence of an incumbent in that position.
    Support the Head of Office and Head of Support Services in any other matters as required.

Planning and Reporting:

    Facilitate the preparation of annual project work plans by preparing templates, providing guidance to projects and consolidating data on cash flow projections, targets and outputs.
    Assist in program development and project planning by keeping constructive donor relations, organizing andparticipating in field assessments, drafting project proposals, preparing project budgets, recruitment and procurement plans, writing PAC (Project Approval Committee) submissions and setting up proposals and projects in UNOPS ERP system Atlas.
    Support the office in fulfilling reporting requirements, coordinate with projects and provide guidance in internal financial and progress reporting. Support the Head of Office in HQ/AFO and donor reporting and produce monthly financial and progress reports on the SDPC portfolio.
    Keep track of UNOPS’ business development portfolio by updating project tracking sheets, preparing revenue forecasts as well as business plans.

Programme and Financial Management:

    Support the office in designing and implementing mechanisms aimed at ensuring sound programme financial management by monitoring and analyzing project budgets and expenditure forecasts for all UNOPS projects. Further support projects with analyzing expenditure reports, balancing budgets, conducting budget revisions and coordinate with project managers to implement Atlas best practice.
    Provide training on Project ManagementPractice tools, Atlas project and financial management to current and newlyarrived staff to promote compliance with internal financial rules and regulations as well as Atlas best practice.
    Ensure compliance with UNOPS online engagement and assurance processes.

UN Coordination:

    Support UNOPS in all inter-agency planning and monitoring and evaluation activities, including CCA, UNDAF (UN Development Assistance Framework) and the UN & Partners Work Plan.
    Under the guidance of the Sudan Basic Infrastructure and Settlement Development cluster lead in UNOPS Khartoum.
    Support UNOPS in its role of cluster lead in Southern Sudan by mobilizing and coordinating input into the Work Plan, drafting sector plans, reviewing projects, organizing and facilitating sector planning workshops/meetings and lead the CHF allocation process.
    Take responsibility for the Work Plan and CHF mid-year and end-year review by establishing and implementing effective  monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, extracting information from participating agencies and submitting reports to the Work Plan M&E Unit.
    Provide support to technical assessments under UNOPS’ role as infrastructure cluster lead.
    Liaise and coordinate with Government counterparts in the capacity as Infrastructure sector lead, participate in government planning processes and communicate and share information with the Government throughout the UN Work Plan process.

Competencies

    Excellent writing, conceptual, and analytical skills required.
    Knowledge of the political and economic context of Sudan is an advantage.
    Ability to interpret financial reports and previous experience with programme financial management, including the budgeting methods, strongly preferred.
    Knowledge of UN coordination and planning mechanisms including cluster approach is preferred.
    Some technical knowledge of engineering and/or architecture is an advantage.
    Knowledge of the project management and finance module in UNOPS’ engagement, assurance and ERP System Atlas desired.
    Advanced knowledge in the use of MS Office, especially MS Excel.
    Ability to work independently, handles multiple tasks, work under pressure and deliver assignments on time.
    Team player with excellent communication, coordination and personal interaction skills.
    Motivated, professional and ability to work in a stressful and difficult environment.


Education

    Masters Degree in Political Science, Public Policy, Public Administration, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering or other relevant field.
    Additional 2 years of relevant work experience, preferably in combination with a relevant bachelor’s degree, may substitute for the requirement for a master’s degree.

Experience

    Minimum of 5 years of full-time relevant professional experience.
    Experience in project management or coordination is desirable.
    Experience with report writing, proposals drafting, monitoring and evaluation and program financial management required.
    Previous experience with infrastructure programs is an advantage.


Certifications

    Certification in project management (PMP or Prince2) is an advantage.

Languages

    Written and oral fluency in English. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage.


Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: I-ICA - 2
Contract duration: 6 to 12 months, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.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.
    UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below 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
How to Apply;
https://gprs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=568