UNOPS - Various; Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America (Other)

Job Description

Background

In our work with governments and public sectors in developing countries, there is a growing need for UNOPS to provide advisory and capacity development services in the areas public infrastructure governance, project management and procurement. It is the ambition of UNOPS to become a leading player in this field by 2015.

As a result, there are opportunities for motivated individuals with subject matter expertise in the area of Public Infrastructure, Project Management and Procurement in particular in a capacity development context to join our pool of senior advisors.

We offer you an opportunity to do work that makes a real difference, shape advisory and capacity development services targeted at developing countries, and work with other experienced and talented colleagues. To cap it off we will reward you competitively.

Role Descriptions

Senior Advisors will work closely together with clients to build institutional capacity and deliver results that matter.

The roles will be expected to work in diverse global locations, providing you with challenging and unique experience. 

Examples of the variety locations where UNOPS does work today include:

• Middle East (Jordan, occupied Palestinian territory, Afghanistan)
• Africa (Kenya, South Sudan, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Asia (Maldives, Indonesia, Sri Lanka,)
• Latin America (Peru, Mexico, Haiti)

Public Infrastructure

 Examples of types of engagements:

 Assessing and planning strategic and operational improvements to existing public works ministries or bodies

• Supporting and building governments’ capacity through direct involvement to implement physical infrastructure
• Leading or supporting the scoping and planning of national, state, regional or municipal future infrastructure
• Establishing a soundly structured project or programme management office for physical infrastructure
• Analysing across ministries or  projects physical infrastructure procurement practices and developing strategies and  best practices to improve the same in a cohesive manner

Selection Criteria

• 11+years of relevant experience working as an advisor or consultant within the public infrastructure sector.
• Experience in project management and procurement of public infrastructure will be key.
• You would have substantial experience from a leading local or global provider of management advisory or consulting services to the public sector.
• Masters degree in a Physical Infrastructure related discipline, supplementary qualifications within Developmental Studies, International Relations, Public Administration or other relevant discipline will be well regarded.

Project Management

Examples of types of engagements:

• Scoping and opportunity assessment – scoping and evaluation missions to identify and propose improvement programmes
• Programme design – translation of strategic plans into contextually relevant programmes
• Programme mentoring – building the capacity of ministry officials to manage their strategic programmes
• PPM support offices – establishing and/or building capacity to manage programme and project support offices
• PPM capacity building – training, mentoring and certification of key ministry staff in PPM as well as career path planning and management advice for project professionals
• Capital projects – advise on large scale business case development for capital projects

Selection criteria

• 11+years of relevant experience working as an advisor within Project Management, preferably within public infrastructure.
• You would have substantial experience from a leading local or global provider of management advisory or consulting services to the public sector.
• Masters degree in management, politics or development, including Project Management, Business Administration, Public Policy, Public Administration, Geopolitics, International Relations, International Security, Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• Qualification in international project management standards such as PRINCE2, MSP and PMP or change management standards.

Procurement  

Examples of types of engagements:

Conducting opportunity assessments for improving public procurement efficiency including assessing the regulatory framework, the organizational structure, the process flow, the qualifications of staff, and measuring end results of public procurement

• Assisting governments in the implementation of public sector reforms – transforming the public procurement structure and its capabilities, be it system-wide or through entity-specific interventions
• Providing technical and managerial advice on complex tendering processes
• Developing and delivering training and accreditation schemes for public sector procurement officials
• Setting up Public Procurement monitoring capabilities, linked to financial and budgeting systems
• Help advance the e-Government agenda through e-Procurement development

Selection Criteria

• 11+years of relevant experience working as an advisor within Public Procurement. You would have substantial experience from a leading local or global provider of management advisory or consulting services to the public sector.
• Masters degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Engineering, or other relevant discipline. Post-graduate certifications or accredited training in public procurement is desirable.

Experience as World Bank, Regional Development Bank, OECD Procurement Specialist / Consultant will be a strong advantage.