Programme Management Specialist – GESI/ PSEAH Full Time

Application period 04-Dec-2024 to 17-Dec-2024

Functional Responsibilities:

• Strategic Planning and Portfolio Support

• Project Set-up and closure
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Delivery Support
• Quality Assurance
• Stakeholder Engagement, Liaison and Representation
• Knowledge Management and Innovation
• Personnel Management

Strategic Planning and Portfolio Support

• Underake GESI Analysis for all country offices in the MCO and update them periodically
• Supports the PMO Team Leader in developing appropriate approaches and best practices in line with UNOPS policies and procedures and global best practices.
• Contribute to the development and planning of new programmes and projects; promoting best practices and lessons learnt from past experience, including planning necessary staffing and other resources to implement GESI and PSEAH commitments, contributing to ensuring synergies across the MCO.
• Contribute to the development, continuous improvement and assume custodianship over the mainstreaming of GESI/ PSEAH tools and systems for programmes and projects. Ensure application of these tools and systems across the MCO.
• Contribute to analyses and identify potential risks and issues related to the delivery of programmes and projects and advise mitigating measures to the Head of Programme in a timely manner.
• Support with necessary project analysis and information relevant to the PMO as needed.
• Provide guidance and support to the PMs on the development and implementation of GESI, PSEAH Action Plans, as well as promoting good practices for mainstreaming principles of Do No Harm and Leave No-One Behind.
• Contribute to Environmental and Social Screening for relevant projects, provide support and guidance to PMs on Social Inclusion and Safeguards as required.
• Provide technical assistance in the drafting of ToRs for ESIAs implemented by 3rd Parties as needed.
• As required, conduct capacity building sessions for internal and external stakeholders on GESI, PSEAH and other contemporary gender agenda.

Set-up and closure

• Actively support the start up of new projects; including development and refinement of:
  • Gender Analysis,
  • GESI Mainstreaming,
  • PSEAH Action Plans,
  • Recruitment of the project team, and
  • Preliminary activities, as needed
• Act as the PM for GESI/ PSEAH oriented projects as needed
• Contributes to the development of project plans/schedules, including the collation of lower-level plans into programme/project-level milestones.
• Contribute to developing, track and maintain dependencies between work packages.
• Contribute to the development of M&E plans and tools ensuring data collection can be disaggregated by gender and various vulnerable groups
• Coordinate and oversee the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office, IPAS, and HQ Teams, as required.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Contribute to establishment and maintenance of tracking systems and tools to facilitate monitoring project progress and performance. Regularly update these systems and tools.
• Provide routine monitoring projects progress and performance through dashboards
• Assist with monitoring the labour days generated by infrastructure contracts and ensure data collected is disaggregated by gender and other target groups
• Provide periodic analysis of delivery data and share it with the PMO TL, Project teams and Management as appropriate.
• Contribute to timely identification of potential risks and issues specific to GESI/PSEAH delivery, and escalate and suggest mitigating measures

Delivery Support

• Support Project Managers with identifying/ recruiting and deploying suitable resources for the delivery of GESI/ PSEAH and related work-packages
• Provide induction, orientation and continuous advice to PMs and their teams related to UNOPS GESI/ PSEAH and other related policies, systems and tools
• Take part in periodic monitoring missions to ETMCO projects including construction sites, and provide orientation to field and contractor personnel
• Support Project Managers with mainstreaming GESI/ PSEAH into tender criteria during procurement stages.
• Support the implementation of ESMPs as needed and contribute to reporting is mainstreamed into project progress reports
• Support the HSSE Coordinator in monitoring the implementation of GESI/ PSEAH related requirements and guidelines at project sites
• Backstop and/or take part in surge initiatives for Project Managers as required
• Identify gaps, areas to improve and make recommendations to the the PMs, PMO Team Leader, Project Executive(s) and/or Head of Programme on appropriate corrective actions

Quality Assurance

• Actively contribute to becoming a Centre of Excellence and Good Practices in mainstreaming GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind by contributing to assurance over projects.
• Appraise and facilitate compliance with UNOPS defined policies, guidelines tools and international best practices.
• Support in providing technical advice to key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to GESI/ PSEAH in project implementation
• Review and provide assurance of PIPs and quarterly plans as a member of the PMO

Stakeholder Engagement, Liaison and Representation

• Take part in UNCT Working Groups and serve as the UNOPS focal point for matters related to GESI, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind,
• Contribute to planning and reporting on progress
• Build relationships with key stakeholders on relevant topics and devise strategies that advance mutual interests and priorities
• Assess and identify GESI gaps among UNOPS implementing partners
• Ensure that UNOPS contractors/ grantees have effective gender action plan embedded in their project implementation
• Facilitate participation in Joint UN System activities ensuring visibility for UNOPS contribution to the UN Common Agenda

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Act as the MCO focal point for GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind and World Bank ES-related topics
• Actively follow on new developments and global best practices related to GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind.
• Actively contribute to the ETMCO maturity enhancement initiatives throughout the project cycle
• Facilitate training including onboarding/induction of new joiners on UNOPS policies, tools and instruments related to GESI, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind,
• Ensure routine and effective training/capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of MCO staff.
• Support in promoting awareness and engagement of PMs and their teams on GESI/ PSEAH and other related topics
• Participate in, and advocate for practitioners membership in relevant Communities of Practice.
• Contribute to ETMCO knowledge networks in GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind-related disciplines
• Actively interact with PMs and the wider MCO community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practises in the Knowledge System.
• Provides feedback on policy and supporting guidance on GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind related matters
• Contributes to ensuring that lessons learnt are shared and mainstreamed in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Represent UNOPS is relevant fora related to GESH, PSEAH, Do No Harm, Leave No-One Behind-related disciplines

Personnel Management

• Coordinates a network of GESI/PSEAH Focal points across the MCO and provides functional direction, oversight and feedback to its members.
• Facilitates the mainstreaming of performance metrics for practitioners within the network.
• Actively promote a culture of continuous improvement and lessons learning in infrastructure related disciplines.
• Takes part in recruitment as required.
• Lead on-boarding of all new personnel and provide guidance on performance setting and reviews within the practise.
• Promote and support a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Impact of Results

The Programme Management Specialist – GESI/ PSEAH directly impacts on achievement of the MCO Programme. Notably, Programme Management Specialist – GESI/ PSEAH will contribute to implementing best practice and overall organizational maturity in the infrastructure products.

This consequently reinforces the image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in infrastructure project management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project Services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• An Advanced University Degree or a Master’s Degree or equivalent, preferably in social policy, public policy, gender studies, political science, development studies, sociology, anthropology, international development studies, law, peace and conflict studies or a related area is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree in the above subjects, along with 2 additional years of relevant work experience, may be considered as a substitute for the education requirements outlined above.

Certification:

• Prince 2 Foundation or equivalent certification is desirable.
• Prince 2 Practitioner or equivalent is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of at least five (5) years of experience related to at least one of the key thematic areas; gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEAH) or sexual and gender based violence (SGBV), which has been applied in a development context through programmatic work (design, implementation, research / M&E) is required.
• A minimum of two (2) years experience in mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion in projects is required.
• Experience in applying GESI mainstreaming to infrastructure projects is highly desirable.
• Experience delivering training/ capacity building/ knowledge transfer workshops on GESI/ PSEAH related topics is highly desirable.
• Experience in supporting both SGBV response and prevention interventions is an asset.
• Experience working with Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on Donor funded projects is an asset.
• Experience working with Management Information Systems (MIS), ERP, Planning Software, Data analytics and/or reporting is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is a distinct advantage.
• Experience working in post-conflict, post-disaster environments will be an advantage.

Language:

• Fluency in written, spoken and reading English is required.
• Knowledge of other UN Official languages will be considered an asset.

How To Apply

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Apply Link: https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29333

Our workforce is made up of people from varied nationalities, cultures and races. They speak a range of languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.
We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. Click apply and join us!

Remarks: Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.