Role Purpose 

The role is responsible for, amongst others:

• Providing strategic advice to the RD, with particular focus on financial stewardship, operational excellence, effective and productive workforce management and delivery of results across the region;
• Providing advice to the RD related to regional performance improvement and knowledge sharing across the region;
• Coordinating and monitoring of implementation progress for the strategic corporate initiatives across the region;
• Supporting the RD to monitor and update the regional business plan;
• Leading the regional operations management group and
• Coordinating improvement and knowledge sharing initiatives and overseeing their implementation.

Functions / Key Results Expected

• Strategic advisory
• Operational performance oversight and coordination
• Performance improvement
• Knowledge management and innovation

The incumbent advises and supports the RD with respect to the following responsibilities and activities:

Strategic advisory

Facilitate the development of regional strategies and policies through advice to the RD and senior management, including advising on current and future business operations and strategy development and planning.

With the RD and in collaboration with the team and partners, develop the multi-year strategic plan for the Region and the annual business plan for the Region, including proposing targets, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.

Evaluate overall regional activities/initiatives to ensure alignment with organisational strategic plans, framework and standards of accountability, ethics and integrity and to ensure that portfolio delivery and business development are mutually reinforcing. sustainable development.

Keep abreast of organisational changes to make recommendations on regional strategy and approaches to business development, management of regional project portfolio and delivery of sustainable results.

Operational performance oversight and coordination

Review and endorse proposed regional and country targets in terms of process excellence, workforce management excellence and financial stewardship.

Monitor and oversee the performance across the region; provide guidance and support in relation to actions required to achieve targets.

Monitor and oversee the internal controls across the region; provide guidance and support in relation to actions required to achieve sufficient levels of controls.

Oversee the regional performance and execute appropriate controls, with particular focus on cost recovery and attribution of costs, and other high operational risks.

Coordinate with relevant UNOPS HQ units, to ensure prioritisation, alignment and coherent interactions with the region; actively engage with internal stakeholders and HQ units to make sure that country and regional perspectives are reflected in HQ-led initiatives.

On behalf of the RD, participate in and report on the relevant coordination meetings, working groups, task-forces, etc.

Coordinate and maintain regular communication with all countries in the region on their needs and requests for support.

Coordinate preparation of substantive briefs for the RD on regional opportunities and challenges.

Act as the secondary supervisor for the Heads of Support Services (HOSSs) in the region.

Performance improvement

Drive and support world-class performance, organizational excellence and continuous improvement, as well as nurture a high-performance management culture.

Make recommendations to the RD on matters related to performance and efficacy of regional operations.

• Recommend to the RD, changes to structural arrangements within and between entities in the regional structure, including cross-functional integration and coordination within the region,in accordance to UNOPS standards on organisational structures.
• Develop and implement a performance monitoring system to provide oversight of the regional performance measures and tracking of improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge management and innovation
• Actively engage with UNOPS’ Implementation Practices and Standards unit as well as the regional portfolios, to capture and provide a synthesis of best practice, lessons learned and ensure harmonisation of practices across the region.
• Facilitate and encourage the sharing of information, knowledge and best practices across the region.
• Contribute to the planning, implementation and organisation of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.
• Act as the learning focal point for the region.

Impact of Results

• The effective and successful achievement of results by the incumbent directly contributes to the visibility and image of the UNOPS brand, as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education Requirements 

Required:

• An Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Business Administration, Finance, Political Science, International Relations, International Development, Social Sciences or a related discipline with 10 years of experience is required;
• A First-Level University Degree (Bachelor's) in combination with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Desired:

CA or CPA or equivalent is desirable.

Required

Experience Requirements 

• A minimum of 10 years experience working in project and programme management, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts is required.
• Field work experience.
• Proven ability to collaborate with and oversee diverse and senior teams

Desired

• Experience in an international organization is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning and change management is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding of development issues and current donor and sectoral trends is an asset.
• Prior work experience in Africa is an asset.
• Strategic planning experience is an asset.
• PRINCE2® Foundation and/or Practitioner Certification or equivalent is desirable.