Portfolio Support Manager

Within UNOPS, Implementation Practices and Standards (IPS) is responsible for the UNOPS delivery practices. IPS provides thought leadership, standards and oversight as support to the successful delivery of programmes and projects within UNOPS service lines (infrastructure, procurement, project management, human resources and financial management services). IPS is comprised of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group and the Procurement Group which aims to reduce organizational risks, improve project performance, and promote excellence across UNOPS projects through the Standards Management Framework; and provides organisational oversight on the application of standards. These Groups also support the positioning of UNOPS in the UN system and development sector in Infrastructure, Project Management and Procurement.

The Portfolio Support Manager (PSM) will contribute to development, and execution of the IPS strategy and the IPS Business Plan. He/she will be reporting to the Implementation Practices and Standards Director and is a member of the management team of IPS. The PSM fosters collaboration within all units in IPS, and ensures close cooperation with, and a strong service-oriented approach to, other internal and external stakeholders. The position holder will be managing a team. 

The  Portfolio Support Manager will perform the following duties and responsibilities: 

More specifically, the PSM will

• Manage resources of the operational readiness function with a primary focus on infrastructure, project management and procurement areas for the global portfolio support, building on the existing internal capacity, including UNOPS retainer pools and Long-Term Agreements (LTAs).
• Lead on the development and management of resources such as retainers and LTAs to supplement UNOPS internal engagement implementation capacity by establishing the process of mapping and associated planning for improving a corporate retainer roster and implementation services Long Term Agreements (LTAs).
• Manage the development of tools and processes supporting the retainer and LTA management. 
• Contribute actively to policy improvements and increase process efficiencies by collaborating closely with other UNOPS units to enable an environment for an effective implementation of the UNOPS corporate readiness.
• Establish an effective assessment approach to monitor the results of the resources developed to support the UNOPS Global portfolio. 

2. Provision of operational management  to IPS  

• Prepare the IPS financial plan and manage the budget process/cycle to ensure timely revisions and reallocation of funds, as well as budget corrections, as necessary. This also includes to monitor, track, control and reporting on expenditures to ensure optimum and appropriate use of resources, and compliance with standards of accountability framework.
• Act as focal point for any internal/external audit exercise where IPS is assigned with requisitions or recommendations.
• Take a coordination function for all IPS procurement requests. He/she will be responsible for IPS liaision with other units such as SSC for the establishment, review and administration of IPS related contracts and other agreements. 
• Oversee the personnel planning and management for IPS, and provide data analysis related to IPS Personnel to enable informed decision making by the IPS, IPMG and PG Directors, and in consideration with the corporate strategy(ies). 
• Take a leading role in ensuring communication of IPS is effective and up to date, such as the intranet, internal publications, and external communication. 
• Oversee the management of the Project of the Year Award (POTYA) from nomination to award and related promotion of the best practices in project management.
• Oversee other administrative tasks, such as control of inventory belonging to IPS, travel and mission planning and security related tasks such as warden assignment.  

3. Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• At the request of the Director and in collaboration with the team, plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel and stakeholders.
• Promote and support a learning culture in IPS by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plan/provide easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility and foster innovation.
• At the request of the IPS Director participate in any UNOPS forum discussions and planning to ensure IPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
• Perform other duties as and when assigned.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Setting standard, personal and development objectives for self and direct reports. Ongoing assessment of task completion, which meets quality expectations;
• Achievement of the targets and workplan assigned to the Portfolio Support Manager;
• Successfully meeting time, cost and quality expectations of the business unit work plan; escalate issues to IPS Director when applicable;
• Completing progress reports as required.

a. Education 

• An Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent) in a relevant related field, including but limited to business administration, economics, HR management, finance is required
• A Bachelor’s Degree with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master’s degree (total 9 years of experience) 

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience covering at least two of the following operations functions: procurement, finance, logistics and human resources is required, in combination with a Master’s degree (9 years in combination with a Bachelor’s degree). Knowledge of the other functions is desirable;
• A minimum of 2 years of leadership experience, including a proven track record managing personnel and operational systems is required. This can be embedded in the above experience. 
• Some experience in UN system organizations is desirable.
• Experience dealing with UN regulations, rules and policies in the areas of procurement, finance and human resources is desirable. Knowledge of UNOPS policies, rules and processes is a distinctive advantage.
• Experience in the development sector is an asset.
• Experience in project or portfolio management is an asset.
• Experience with gender parity issues is an asset.
• Relevant experience working in developing countries is an asset.

c. Certifications

• PRINCE2® Foundation is desired. 

d. Languages 

• Full working knowledge of English, including excellent drafting and editing skills;
• Knowledge of French or Spanish is highly desirable.
• 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.  

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.

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.