Director, Country Office (Internal Candidates Only)

1. People Leadership

• Create, foster, and role model a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability within the Country Office

• 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. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards, and commitments. 

• Promote teamwork, collaboration, and diversity, by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team, to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively, and efficiently.

• Plan, recruit, manage, and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance

3. Alliance building, networking, and advocacy 

• Keep abreast and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new and existing partners.

• Keep Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and business development in the geographical area.

• With the support from the Head of Support Services and the Head of Programme, ensure appropriate arrangements for building excellence of business processes and quality standards. 

• Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Country Office portfolio according to partner expectations, approved budgets, and full cost recovery. 

• Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Country Office portfolio

• Provide advice to the Regional Director and peers on opportunities to further enhance UNOPS’ contribution to the achievement of partners results in the geographical area.

• Ensure internal performance and quality management for the Country Office, including tracking, monitoring, and reporting on project delivery and financials.

• Evaluate performance to measure efficacy and alignment of the Country Office with organizational/regional strategy and compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency, and accountability, and ensure that service delivery reinforces business development objectives.

5. Representation and inter-agency coordination 

• Represent UNOPS in relevant inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to promote the organization, influence policy discussion, and identify potential areas for UNOPS partnership and engagement.

• Represent UNOPS in the UN Country Team (UNCT), and support the UNCT programming and advocacy activities.

• Participate actively and effectively in UNCT meetings, and contribute to the formulation and implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Integrated Strategic Framework, and Delivering as One within the country of the main office for the Multi Country Office.

• Is accountable to the Resident Coordinator for actions as part of the UNCT, makes substantial contributions to the UNCT’s work, and assumes a leadership role as relates to UNOPS’ mandate.

• Participate in UNCT initiatives to strengthen UN coherence, inclusiveness, and aid effectiveness, including ensuring UNOPS active role in the Operations Management Teams (OMTs) and other senior management groups of the country team.

• Keep UN Resident Coordinator abreast of UNOPS activities within the country through regular communication, including a formal regular reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF.

6. Knowledge management and innovation 

• Lead the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practices approaches in the delivery of the regional portfolio.

• Ensure the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional, and national development planning and knowledge building.

• Lead the planning, implementation, and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners, and stakeholders.

• Establish priorities, in consultation with the Regional Director, for targeted investments in growth and innovation and as a member of the UNOPS global management team, contribute to identification and implementation of innovation and continuous improvement in support of organizational excellence and world-class performance. 

• Share knowledge with peers in other regional/country teams and corporate practice groups to ensure a corporate coordinated delivery of services and synergies.

Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Country Director directly impacts on the development and performance of the Country Office portfolio, visibility, and image of UNOPS 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.

Motivation letter

While your application  showcases your skills, experience, and education, we are also eager to learn more about your interests and motivations. Therefore, we invite you to upload a motivation letter with your application for the position. Remember to share in the letter your motivation for joining the UNOPS team in the advertised position, your interests and skills. We would also like to know your perspective regarding United Nations values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity. For more information about UN Values see this link.