Head of Programme

About The Group

As part of the Global Portfolio Office, UNOPS Geneva provides comprehensive solutions in secretariat hosting, operational support, and fund management. We manage global programmes, including the Water, Environment and Climate (WEC) Portfolio, offering project management, procurement, HR, and financial services. Geneva hosts the secretariats of eight global partnerships focused on health (RBM, Stop TB, ATscale), nutrition (SUN), water/sanitation (SHF), humanitarian leadership (GELI), urban development (Cities Alliance), and disaster displacement (PDD). We also provide fund management for EIF and UN Water, and operational support to Geneva-based partners like the Global Fund and UNHCR. The EU-UNOPS Lives in Dignity (LiD) Grant Facility is also based here.

Role Purpose

The Head of Programme (HoP) reports directly to the Geneva Country Office Director, who provides direction and general supervision. The incumbent is responsible for programme development planning and preparation, and for managing all stages of programming to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility. The HoP is a leadership role which contributes to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Programme governance and implementation and monitoring

• Accept responsibility for project and programme oversight as delegated by the Geneva Office Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
• Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and client-oriented services.
• Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
• Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.
• Mentor and assist Project/Programme Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
• Develop and implement the programme governance framework.

Advisory services to Geneva Director

• Provide advice and support to the Geneva Office Director in their quality assurance and oversight role with Hosted Entities. This includes working collaboratively with the Project Management Office to review progress of Hosted Entities, assess constraints and identify corrective action, to ensure early warning of risks, for action and/or intervention.
• Provide advice and support to the Geneva Office Director in managing performance and quality for Hosted Entities, including ensuring the systems are in place to ensure tracking, monitoring and reporting on project/programme delivery and financials.
• Provide advice and support to the Geneva Office Director in ensuring Hosted Entity compliance with UNOPS standards of accuracy, transparency and accountability.
• Support the Geneva Office Director to maintain the interface with key senior stakeholders, across Hosted Entities, keeping them engaged and informed.
• Support the Geneva Director to maintain alignment between Hosted Entities and the UNOPS strategic direction.
• Support the Geneva Director assurance and audit reviews of Hosted Entities

Manage programme resources

• Plan and propose required programme resources (human and financial).
• Submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and Geneva Office financial goals.
• Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN mandate and spirit.
• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams in terms of gender and geography.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
• Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys

Partnership, networking and advocacy

• Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the Geneva Office Director areas for UNOPS Geneva engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.
• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
• Support the Geneva Office Director and partnerships function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
• Collaborate with UNOPS Geneva Office Director and partnership functions to prepare proposals and partnerships engagement.
• Contribute to current and future growth plans for the Geneva Office Director, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS Strategic Plan and priorities as outlined by the Regional Director.
• At the request of the Geneva Office Director participate and/or represent the Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.

Knowledge management and innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate latest/best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
• Institutionalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.
• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.

Education Requirements

Required

• A Master's degree in project management, public administration, social science or other relevant related 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.

Desired

• PRINCE2@ Foundation/Practitioner an asset, but required completion within the first 6 months of onboarding.
• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP@ or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) an asset.

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 10 years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in social development, business development, executive management and/or programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in programme management and/or fund management.