Старший/а фахівець/-чиня із питань управління програмами / Programme Management – Senior Officer

• BACKGROUND INFORMATION

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country’s infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements. 

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Background Information – UNMAS

Established in 1997 by the General Assembly, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) serves as the United Nations focal point for mine action and supports its vision of “a world free of the threat of landmines and unexploded ordnance, where individuals and communities live in a safe environment conducive to development, and where mine survivors are fully integrated into their societies.”

UNMAS coordinates and collaborates with fourteen UN departments, agencies, programmes and funds to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problems of landmines and explosive remnants of war, including cluster munitions.

UNMAS establishes, manages, and provides strategic direction to mine-action coordination centers in countries and territories as part of peacekeeping operations and humanitarian emergencies or crises. In these situations, UNMAS may plan and carry out mine-action projects, support and coordinate the work of local and international mine-action service providers, and set priorities for mine clearance, mine-risk education and all other aspects of mine action.

RCO Mine Action Advisory Team in Ukraine provides technical advice to the RC, RCO, UNCT, HCT, Donors and the Ukrainian Government on mine action issues and support the implementation of the national mine action strategy through national mine action institutions.

Background Information – UNOPS 

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action. The Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of UNMAS Field Programmes, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Cluster Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients. 

Background Information – Job-specific 

The duties and responsibilities of the ICS-9, Programme Management are similar to each other, with the difference in grades being determined by the complexity, funding portfolio, and other criteria linked to the level of responsibility of the specific position. Programme Management may be responsible for all aspects of the Terms of Reference or may be specialized into one or more areas only. Programme Management may also be responsible for managing junior staff. 

• FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

S/he must be able to undertake the below duties and responsibilities:

1. Functions / Key Results
2. Support the UNRCO Senior Mine Action Advisor (SMAA) with programme development, planning, resource mobilization, reporting  and coordination
3. On behalf of the SMAA development and follow up of resource mobilization opportunities
4. Programme Management Support
5. On behalf of the SMAA, support stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration
6. Knowledge management and document management
7. People management

1. Programme development planning and coordination

• Under the SMAA’s leadership, coordinate the development and articulation of the RCO Strategy with regard to supporting key mine action stakeholders in Ukraine in line with relevant UN and government and/or national or regional strategies, and review/update at necessary intervals. 
• Support the SMAA to ensure related work plans are accurately budgeted and resourced.
• Support the management team to translate the Strategy into implementation/results work plans and associated monitoring mechanisms and draft project documents as needed for the implementation of the programme.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders in-country and at HQ, to ensure aligned and coherent planning and implementation processes.

• Monitor humanitarian and development, inform SMAA of trends and needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity. 
• Stay abreast of policies on mine action, UN policies, and cross-cutting priorities, such as gender, diversity, conflict sensitivity, sustainability, and environment, to be included in project delivery as relevant. 
• Accompany SMMA to donor meetings, take notes and minutes and follow up as required
• On behalf of SMAA, coordinate preparation of programme documents in English or Ukrainian, including concept notes, proposals, and associated budgets.
• Draft and/or review funding agreements and other project documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.

3. Programme management support

• Analyze funding agreements and develop compliance plans and monitoring frameworks to guide key departments and management team to meet requirements of funding agreements, in coordination with HQ. 
• In collaboration with relevant personnel, establish monitoring mechanisms to measure delivery against targets outlined in funding agreements. 
• Provide review/input to scopes of work for procurement processes to ensure the requirements of the relevant funding sources are reflected in agreements with implementing partners. Review implementing partner reports to ensure requirements are being met. 
• Track programme results against targets, alert relevant management if delivery is not on track, compile data and draft reports to internal and external stakeholders and support the management team to prepare for internal reviews.
• Coordinate information flow between implementation teams, and headquarters, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement; when required, coordinate budget and activity revisions to funding agreements.
• Prepare, and provide editing support for, high quality summary and analytical reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate; research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents for the management team.
• Coordinate communications between the RCO and the headquarters Programme, Portfolio Management, and Risk, Quality and Partnership teams to support compliance to programme documents and funding agreements, and the implementation of policies, processes and methods according to internal standards.

4. Stakeholder coordination, representation, and inter-agency collaboration

• Support the SMAA to establish and build relationships with UN, international organizations, donors, governments, and mine action stakeholders for the purposes of facilitating activities and improving the quality and relevance of programme implementation.
• On behalf of the SMAA, participate in, contribute to and report on the relevant inter-agency, UN mission, donor and inter-governmental coordination meetings in consultation with relevant programme technical experts when required. Support the management team with UN common planning and programming processes, including strategic country analysis, UNSDCF, humanitarian response plans, integrated strategic frameworks, etc.
• Participate in, or contribute to the Mine Action Area of Responsibility/Sub-Cluster under the Protection Cluster, where relevant, including the formulation of the mine action components for the Humanitarian Needs Overview and Response Plan Response plan. 
• Support the applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant, in collaboration with UN Mine Action Offices in Kyiv, Geneva and New York.
• On behalf of the SMAA support the development of communication strategies, linked to resource mobilization strategies, where relevant, to maximize communication impact and outreach and build awareness of the Country Programme.
• Translate documents from Ukrainian or Russian to English as needed, act as in interpreter if required from English to Ukrainian
• Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities in English and/or Ukrainian as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms. 
• Support SMAA preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.

5. Knowledge management and document management and innovation

• Maintain records of programme files and other necessary programme documents such as documentation of decisions and actions taken on programme issues.
• Implement relevant standards, tools and templates to effectively manage programme and project development and implementation.
• Identify, contribute to, record and share the ongoing development and implementation of best practice, lessons identified, and innovative approaches to improve overall programme performance
• Contribute to the management and upkeep of risk management and issue management logs and processes.

6. People management (if applicable)

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

1. Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education 

• Advanced University Degree (master’s degree or equivalent) with two years of relevant experience is required or
• University degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with four years of relevant experience 

Experience 

• Relevant experience is defined as progressive experience in programme/project development or management, in either public or private sector organizations.
• Has at least 2 years working in  mine action in Ukraine.
• Has a driving license is required.
• Experience in donor liaison, resource mobilization and report writing is a strong asset.

Language Requirements 

Fluency in English & Ukrainian is required (speaking, reading, and writing).

Fluency in other UN official languages, particularly.

French, and/or Russian, is highly desirable.