Job Vacancies United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), November 2010

Job Vacancies United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Position: Manager, Small Grants Cluster (SGC)
Location: United States of America (The), New York
Closing Date: Friday, 03 December 2010

UNOPS helps its partners in the United Nations system meet the world’s needs for building peace, recovering from disaster, and creating sustainable development. UNOPS is known for its ability to implement complex projects in all types of environments around the globe. In an effort to promote organizational excellence, UNOPS seeks highly qualified individuals for the following position: Vacancy Details Vacancy Code Position Title Position # Position Level Org Unit Duty Station Duration Closing Date VA/2010/NAO/SGC/CM/P4/19-11 Manager, Small Grants Cluster (SGC) 27944 P4 (Fixed-Term Appointment) North America Office (NAO) New York One Year renewable 3 December 2010

Background
The Small Grants Cluster of the North America Office (NAO/SGC) services UNDP-BDP-EEG-GEF as the main client with an expanding business portfolio of over 120 countries, optimizing the execution of the proven SGP systems and ‘community grant mechanism’ as global service product. This includes the practice areas of Project Management, HR, Finance and Procurement.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Cluster Manager (CM) for NAO/SGC is responsible for team management, management of client relationships (including new partnerships):
the growth and service delivery of a constantly evolving, very complex and demanding business portfolio; streamlining and enhancing of operational workflows, processes and tools; budget development and execution; development, implementation and monitoring of team and NAO wide strategic and operational plans. The CM is responsible for meeting the team portfolio’s revenue and income targets in line with UNOPS self-financing principle and the delivery of quality services responsive to client needs. Main duties and responsibilities are Client and Team Portfolio Management Lead and guide the SGP Cluster, monitor and appraise team performance. This also includes trouble-shooting across regional portfolios; ensure cost-effectiveness, efficiency and quality standard of service provision, full compliance with UN and client operating protocols and audit requirements. Ensure quality team and operational management and plan to meet both internal targets and external client expectations; Collaborate with clients and country counterparts for the ongoing review of service delivery and performance Develop and execute team budget; team business development plan, priorities, targets and performance indicators and standards. Establish measurable long-term/short-term targets and monitor balanced scorecard, team (and individual) training plan and performance indicators.

- Monitor progress of existing regional portfolios and business acquisition against set targets in the context of the annual team workplan; making timely and appropriate decisions to meet workplan, strategic initiatives for new partnerships and income objectives. Provide substantive inputs to overall NAO efforts in client relationship management including substantive contribution to Standard Operational Procedures (SOP) and policy development. Collate, consolidate and analyze team forecasts and business acquisition tables, with view to facilitate NAO senior management review. Service Delivery and Operational Portfolio Management Analyze current and potential business portfolio and volume. Establish business plans, priorities, targets and performance standards for each client and team member within the team’s business plan. Work with client and country counterparts in the design and development of projects and corresponding budgets including the development of a clear tailor made responsibility matrix for all partners and client agreements; Develop and apply project costing tools to enhance project acceptance phase; Prepare and issue Terms of Reference or Statements of Work for agreements (including MOAs) and subcontracts; propose list of suitable firms or institutions (including NGOs); evaluate proposals received; make recommendations for contract awards; negotiate with successful bidder. Maintain close liaison and consultations with clients and project stakeholders including UN counterparts, Governments, NGOs; Prepare contract documents and Letters of Agreements with institutions and UN agencies; administer contracts and agreements and process amendments, as required. Monitor agreements, budgets and expenditures in the appropriate (ERP) software and database, and prepare periodic progress and budget/financial reports as required by the client. Monitor and review grant agreements (MOAs) used for SGP and recommend changes and revisions to standard operating protocols to improve the quality and effectiveness of the agreements. Approve disbursement of allocated financial resources for the entire portfolio. Propose and/or take decisions in consultation with the client to reallocate resources as required. This could include proper utilization of SGC direct costs. Actively work with client on UNOPS service delivery and undertake, if required, exceptional monitoring and/or trouble-shooting missions. Interact with internal and external clients and other NAO managers to integrate, harmonize and optimize approaches. This includes lessons learned and best practices to be incorporated into Standard Operating Procedures Liaise with SGP country teams, and UNDP Country Offices/Resident Coordinator offices as well as UN client institutions, National Host Institutions (NHIs) and other partners involved in the execution of the SGP country operations and global programme. Represent UNOPS in negotiations, meetings and follow-up with governments, clients and other fora as required. Business Acquisition and Growth In consultation with the main partner UNDP-GEF, identify potential new clients (including Governments, Donors and international funding institutions) and business partners to pursue business opportunities and ensure portfolio growth by offering and delivering quality tailormade services to maintain a competitive edge. Actively market and promote the UNOPS services and ‘Small Grants model’ as a replicable product by building a network of key business partners and clients keeping abreast of trends in the area of community based projects, Climate Change adaptation fund mechanism and grants as fast and efficient delivery system. Apply innovation in business development. Negotiate the most effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services with prospective clients and partners in line with the applicable UNOPS costing and pricing. Knowledge Management and technical support Establish and maintain innovative operating protocols, capacity building and efficient service delivery by focusing on learning, coaching and mentoring team members, internal clients and partners. Lead the development of fact sheets (and other marketing products), standard operating

- protocol, tools and platforms for data and content management and ensure information and knowledge sharing with colleagues, clients and partners. Coach and/or act as mentor to team and other colleagues, sharing knowledge and expertise in project management. Encourage and institutionalize knowledge sharing within the team and in interacting with clients and other partners. Actively participate in Communities of Practice (CoP) and other knowledge sharing channels across UNOPS operations worldwide. Client Service and Organizational Work Ethics and Culture Strong client focus, keeping them informed of overall workplan and regional portfolio progress. Provide verbal and written reports and hold quarterly progress review meetings. Regularly interact with clients to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction. Model behavior of team spirit and highest professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness to gain respect and similar behavior of colleagues in the workplace. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Required Selection Criteria Competencies Strong service and client orientation Ability to lead a team and be a team player Exceptional planning and organizational skills Ability to translate business acumen and technical expertise and thorough knowledge of UNOPS operations, to plan business acquisition and growth, and to direct service provision for larger more complex operations Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal Ability to recognize and seize potential market opportunities and challenges and to take timely and independent decisions as well as apply sound judgment to meet goals and objectives Capacity for persuasive communication, consensus building and obtaining commitments from clients/partners/staff Knowledge of ERP / ATLAS systems highly desirable.

Education/Experience/Language Advanced university degree (Master’s degree), preferably in international affairs, business administration, social sciences, economics, environmental studies, development studies or another field relevant to international development assistance; A first university degree in the above fields combined with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Minimum 7 years of progressively responsible experience in managing or working in development or humanitarian projects, with significant international experience in project management and service delivery. In-depth knowledge of UNOPS operations, rules and procedures in contracting, purchasing and HR management and administration is an asset. Fluency in oral and written English. Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

- Submission of Applications Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form (P.11) (available on our website), via e-mail to naojobs@unops.org. Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations 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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org.

UNOPS North America Regional Office
The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue, 5th Floor
New York
Tel: +1 212 457-4000




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