Deputy Regional Director, Africa

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. 

UNOPS Africa Region has close to 300 operational projects in approx. 40 countries and counts over 800 personnel, with annual delivery value of circa $250M. The regional portfolio of programmes and projects focuses mainly on supporting fragile and conflict-affected states in Africa in infrastructure development and procurement in support of health, peace and security and social infrastructure interventions.

The office of the Regional Director- Africa provides strategic leadership, technical guidance, and advisory support and oversight to the operations across offices within the Africa region. The region’s operations are divided into six sub-regional Multi Country Offices and two standalone key Country Offices. The Office of the Regional Director is currently based in Copenhagen, Denmark.

This position will be based in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Nairobi, Kenya could also be considered.

The role will require frequent travel within the region.

As the Deputy Regional Director for the Africa  Region (AFR), you will report to the Director of Regional Portfolios who also fulfills the Regional Director function for the Africa Region and provides broad supervision.

Your successful achievements as the Deputy Regional Director- Africa, will directly impact on UNOPS strategic positioning as partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Your responsibility will include:

• Co-drive the development of the strategy for the Africa region
• Provide the intellectual, conceptual, technical and managerial leadership as well as supervision and guidance within the Africa region. 
• Manage the priorities, targets and implementation plans for substantive results with regards to the regional business development and the scope
• Lead a team of experienced leaders in the region and ensure optimal organisational set up for the delivery of current business objectives
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders for strategic business development and engagement.
• Foster a positive work environment for all genders, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Oversee effective management of safety and security within the region of operation for UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents.
• Build partnerships and public relations, promote and communicate UNOPS achievements, competencies and interest in global development.
• Lead the ongoing research, development and implementation of best practices and innovative approaches to maximise performance and sustain achievement.

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategy and operational leadership in management, business development planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization
• Working experience in Africa is required.
• Experience with strategic oversight of programmes in multi-country set-ups is required.
• Experience in international organisations including  working in HQ/Regional operations is required.
• Experience is managing large teams and geographically spread teams is required.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in both English and French is required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

• Duty station: Copenhagen, Denmark. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Nairobi, Kenya could also be considered.
• The role will require frequent travel within the region.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

• Contract type: staff
• Contract level: D-1
• Contract duration: 1 year (renewable, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance)

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.