Job categoriesProject Management

Vacancy codeVA/2023/B5303/26713

Department/officeAFR, KEMCO, Kenya MCO

Duty stationBujumbura, Burundi

Contract typeLocal ICA Support

Contract levelLICA-6

DurationOpen ended subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

Application period26-Sep-2023 to 11-Oct-2023

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

 Background Information - Job-specific

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO)

Kenya Multi-Country Office (KEMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi, Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. These include Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Eritrea and several island states. KEMC focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services in those countries. Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through  delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries  East and South Africa.

Project Information:

Biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and enhanced water security in Lake Tanganyika basin project is a project aimed at strengthening the collaborative partnerships between the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) and the contracting States (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia). Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) was established by the contracting States on 12 June 2003 when the contracting States adopted what they call “Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika.”

The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Environment (UNEP). UNOPS will be the Project Executing Agency, and is accountable to UNEP for the overall implementation of the project. UNOPS will establish a trans-boundary Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in Bujumbura, Burundi to coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the project across the four riparian countries (Burundi, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia).

The project is comprised of 4 components:

(i) Addressing identified transboundary threats to fish biodiversity

(ii) Protection of core conservation zones in protected areas

(iii) Sustainable natural resource use in protected areas and their buffer zones

(iv) Transboundary coordination, information management and M&E.

 Functional Responsibilities

The Project Management Support Associate directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services. The incumbent will work as part of the project team, under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager. The duty station will be Bujumbura, Burundi (Family duty station).

Main duties and responsibilities:

Facilitate a close working relationship between the responsible partner institutions (implementing components 1, 2 and 3) in-country and the NRG 

Ensure coordination between the responsible partner institutions in -country, and various donor and government-funded projects and programmes.

Ensure coordination at the national and local level between the responsible partner institutions in-country and the various government agencies.

Contribute to the review of the in-country progress of project activities

Support Senior Project Manager in the assessment of performance of the responsible partner institutions.

Support Senior Project Manager in monitoring of project risks. 

Contribute to the preparation of the project progress reports.

Coordinate responses to national and local level grievances.

Support the Senior Project Manager in managing responsible partner institutions to ensure that the agreed deliverables in-country are produced satisfactorily according to plans. 

Contribute to the preparation of the project Inception Report, Mid-term Review and Terminal Evaluation reports.

Assist in the logistical organisation of stakeholder meetings, field trips, training courses and workshops.

Assist the Senior Project Manager in project management related activities (e.g. plans, assurances, reports, etc)

Assist the  Senior Project Manager in matters related to M&E and knowledge resources management.

 Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA 

Contract level: LICA 6

Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Burundi Nationals 

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

 Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: 

Completion of Secondary School education is required. 

A Diploma, Degree or equivalent post-school qualification in Sustainable Development, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Economics, International Relations, Social Sciences, or similar is an asset.

Certification: 

Project Management certification (Prince 2 Foundation, Prince 2 Practitioner, PMP or equivalent) is an advantage

Experience:

A minimum of 6 years experience of participation in the administration or management of in-country donor-funded projects or initiatives is required

Knowledge and experience of Lake Tanganyika basin conservation, and lake fisheries management issues will be an advantage.

Language: 

Fluency in French will be a requirement and a working knowledge of English.