Job Highlight

Drive organizational impact by leading multi-country operations, building partnerships, and representing UNOPS at the highest level.

Role Purpose

Reporting to and under the general guidance and oversight of the Regional Director, the Multi-Country Office (MCO) Director directs and manages all delivery and operations under the MCO’s scope, including liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders. The MCO Director also represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in countries covered by the MCO.

Functions / Key Results Expected

People Leadership

• Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Multi Country Office (MCO) locations.
• Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.

Multi-Country Office Portfolio Management

• Develop the strategy for the entire Multi Country Office, establish priorities and oversee the implementation of the portfolio, managing operational risks.
• Lead the delivery of the UNOPS strategic plan through the MCO annual plan.
• Establish annual objectives, targets, performance measurements and standards to ensure timely, partner-oriented services.
• Guide, endorse and oversee proposals and project document agreements connected to identified opportunities.
• Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and make decisions to ensure delivery of results as planned.
• Plan, propose and allocate resources (human, financial, administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability.
• Operate within defined limits of authority on Finance, Procurement and Human Resources matters.
• Manage overall HSSE performance across the entire MCO.
• Oversee and direct measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel, dependents, assets, property and information.
• Act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation, participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT).

Alliance Building, Networking and Advocacy for Business Development

• Assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners to identify areas for leveraging UNOPS services and competencies.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication.
• Keep the Regional Director informed on opportunities, challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS business development capacity.

Service Delivery and Quality Assurance

• Ensure appropriate arrangements for building excellence of business processes and quality standards.
• Build capability and ensure direct operational support for the units within the MCO.
• Monitor and supervise timely, cost-effective delivery of the Multi Country Office portfolio(s).
• Take overall responsibility for financial decisions and exercise financial control to ensure fiscal sustainability.
• Advise the Regional Director, peers and Country Managers on opportunities to enhance UNOPS’ contribution to partners’ results.
• Ensure internal performance and quality management, including tracking, monitoring and reporting on project delivery and financials.
• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment with organizational/regional strategy and UNOPS standards.

Representation and Inter-Agency Coordination

• Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization and identify partnership opportunities.
• Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT) and support UNCT programming and advocacy activities.
• Contribute to the formulation and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and Delivering as One.
• Be accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT and assume a leadership role relating to UNOPS’ mandate.
• Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness and aid effectiveness, including within Operations Management Teams (OMTs).
• Keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities through regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation.

Risk Management

• Drive high-quality, well-informed decisions aligned with organizational goals for measurable outcomes.
• Ensure corporate reporting, information flow and appropriate escalation of emerging risks.
• Champion risk management through a « tone at the top » leadership approach.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Lead the development and introduction of innovation and best practices in project service delivery.
• Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national planning.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.
• Establish priorities for targeted investments in growth and innovation, contributing to organizational excellence.
• Share knowledge with peers in other regional/country teams and corporate practice groups.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 12 years of relevant experience, OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 10 years of relevant experience.

Experience Requirements

Relevant experience in strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning and operations in a large corporate or international organization.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.