UNOPS is looking for project manager – Poloice Somalia security force (SSF) – Mogadishu

Peace and Security Cluster :

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

 

UNMAS :

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is a division of the Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI) in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNMAS is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly (RES/68/72) to ensure an effective, proactive and coordinated response to the problem posed by a wide range of explosive hazards. Legislative mandates also recognize UNMAS technical expertise in responding to threats posed by unsecured and unsafe conventional weapons and ammunition stockpiles. As an office within DPKO, UNMAS supports peacekeeping and special political missions in accordance with Security Council mandates.

UNMAS as a component of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) provides explosive hazard management capacities, including mitigation, to AMISOM as part of a logistical support package. Non-lethal tactical advice and analysis are delivered by UNMAS technical advisors located in each AMISOM Sector Headquarters and at AMISOM Force Headquarters, who support AMISOM planning and operations. UNMAS support includes both enabling (“operate in spite of IEDs”) and response (“defeat the device”). As a component of the UN Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) UNMAS also supports the Federal Government of Somalia, including the Somali Police Force, Somali Explosive Management Authority and National Security Advisor.

 

Somalia :

Since 2009 UNMAS has been mandated through the UNSOS to support the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) with training and mentoring in explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) and improvised explosive device – defeat (IED-D), provided the relevant specialized equipment and the use of explosive detection dogs (EDD). The AMISOM support project is the core UNMAS project and contains a number of sub-projects within the whole. In addition, UNMAS is mandated through the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) to deliver projects associated with: Weapons and Ammunition Management; stabilization and employment; humanitarian demining; EOD/IEDD with the Somali Police Force, and capacity development with the State body for Explosive Hazard Management and the coordination of humanitarian demining. UNMAS, a component of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions, draws upon project management services from UNOPS for implementation of its field operations.

 

Functional Responsibilities :

The Project Manager for Police and Somalia Security Force (SSF) will work under the guidance and supervision of the UNMAS Somalia Head of Programme. S/he is responsible for the management, delivery, and performance of assigned projects supporting capacity building of Somali police and military. S/he is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

Stakeholder Management :

• Establish a solid working relationship with relevant Somalia authorities, contractors, suppliers, international partners, and other key stakeholders ;
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products ;
• Advise UNMAS on issues that may impact the achievement of outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post-project requirements such as maintenance) ;
• Manage the information flows between the Project and UNMAS Programme team.

Delivery and Performance :

• Develop and maintain project plans ;
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) ;
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life cycle ;
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources ;
• Liaise with relevant external suppliers or account managers ;
• Authorize Work Packages ;
• Advise the Head of Programme of any deviations from the plan ;
• Participate in coordination meetings with the UN including Protection Cluster and UNCT as well as meeting with relevant stakeholders ;
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to UNMAS and stakeholders is achieved ;
• Work with the Programme team on financial agreements and contribution agreements ;
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers ;
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS/UNMAS to the supervisor ;
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS/UNMAS internal business case to the supervisor ;
• Participate in regular update meetings with UNOPS/UNMAS portfolio managers to discuss progress, risks, and issues that may emerge to ensure the project stays on track ;
• Represent the Head of Programme in supporting key stakeholders to identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation continuously.

 

Procedures :

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions) ;
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board: I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions ;
• Prepare the subsequent reports ;
• Highlight Reports ;
• End Stage Reports ;
• Operational Closure Checklist ;
• End Project Report ;
• Handover Report (as applicable) ;
• Support UNMAS Programme team in maintaining the UNOPS administrative and financial files, as required ;
• Ensure that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR) ;
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time ;
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project ;
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel ;
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports) ;
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the essential commitments and disbursements.

Knowledge Management :

• Participate in, and advocate PM’s participation in, relevant Communities of Practice ;
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System ;
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies in coordination with UNMAS based on the learning from project deliverables ;
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format ;
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

Personnel Management :

• Lead and motivate the project management team ;
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established ;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted ;
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the management ;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff) ;
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans ;
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s) ;
• Perform Project Support role, unless selected to another person or corporate/programme function ;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

 

 Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Project Management or related field with 5 (Five) years of relevant experience ; OR
• A First-level university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Project Management or related field with 7 (seven) years of relevant experience ; OR
• Military experience with a minimum of 11 (eleven) years of relevant experience in civilian police/military or private security.

 

Experience :

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in project management and/or project development roles supporting operations in a humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict or development contexts ;
• Experience working with Governments to coordinate activities, strengthen capacity and advocacy is desired ;
• Experience in Monitoring, reporting or coordination in either public or private sector organizations is desired ;
• Computer literacy is required.

Languages :

• Fluency in English ( reading, writing and speaking ) is required ;
• Knowledge of other UN official language is desired.