Country Manager

Background – Thailand Multi-Country Office (THMCO)

The Thailand Multi-Country Office (THMCO), established in 2017, supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises five main business units: THMCO Thailand, THMCO Indonesia, THMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, THMCO Papua New Guinea and, THMCO China.

Background – THMCO Papua New Guinea

The THMCO Pacific Cluster, established in early 2018, was formed to support the implementation of infrastructure design, procurement, construction of infrastructure, training, programme management, and facilitate access to funding sources across 12 Pacific Small Islands Developing States (PSIDS), including: Palau; Federated States of Micronesia; Marshall Islands; Nauru; Kiribati; Papua New Guinea; Solomon Islands; Tuvalu; Vanuatu; Fiji; Tonga; Western Samoa.

The interim PNG Project Office was established in August 2020. The Project Office is currently overseeing the implementation of five key projects; two DFAT projects related to access to clean energy; two World Bank projects related to procurement and an EU WASH project in partnership with UNICEF.

The office is located in the same building as the majority of UN Agencies. In addition to the Country Manager, there are three Project Managers and other specialist and support personnel based in the Country. The staffing contingent is expected to grow over the next few months to implement the current projects as well as pipeline engagements that are expected to materialize over the next few months and in 2022.

Background – Job Specific

To support the planning and implementation of the above project responsibilities UNOPS is hiring a Country Manager for the project Office operates as an integral part of the Multi Country Office management structure. The Country Manager reports to the Multi Country Office Director who provides direction and guidance.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Multi-Country Office Director who is based in Thailand, the Country Manager will provide leadership to the UNOPS Papua New Guinea country team and ensure delivery of responsive and client-focused services as well as the growth of the UNOPS portfolio in PNG. The incumbent will coordinate and oversee the projects implemented in the country, ensuring effective and efficient planning, implementing and monitoring, and effective supervision of the delivery of the projects. The incumbent will liaise with and engage with the heads of the functional units at the MCO head office in Thailand on various matters, including with the Head of Partnerships and Outreach on engagement development and portfolio growth activities, and will from time to time contribute to the formulation and/or implementation of various country and MCO-level initiatives such country and MCO strategies, plans of actions, etc. The Country Manager will serve as part of the THMCO leadership structure.
Key Results Expected
Summary of key results:

1. Project Office programme/project management
2. Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development
3. Service delivery and quality assurance
4. Representation and inter-agency partnership
5. Knowledge management and innovation

Duties and Responsibilities:
Project Office programme/project management **

• Develop proposals and prepare project documents agreements in connection with identified opportunities and in cooperation/collaboration with partners.
• Plan and propose to the Multi Country Office Director required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.
• Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Office, in collaboration with the partners, set objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible workforce with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance, and ensure gender and geographical diversity.
• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team 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.
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrasement, sexual harrasement and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel (and their eligible dependents) within the respective area of responsibility.

• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy manual.
  Alliance building, networking and advocacy for business development

• Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them (and the Multi Country Office Director) areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners.

• Keep the Multi Country Office Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development
  Service delivery and quality assurance

• Establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.

• Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Multi Country Office, for action and/or intervention.

• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Project Office, including submitting financial reports to the Multi Country Office Director
  Representation and inter-agency partnership

• Participate, as delegated by the Multi Country Office Director, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNDAF/One Program, integrated Strategic Framework and ‘Delivering as One’.

• Participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.

• Keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within Papua New Guinea through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNDAF or equivalent.
  Knowledge management and innovation

• Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

• Plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

Impact on Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Country Manager directly impacts on the development and performance of the Project Office, the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and consequently strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country served

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) preferably in Economics, International Development, Business Administration, Project Management, International Relations or other relevant field is required.
• A relevant first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of a Master’s/advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization.
• Minimum 5 years experience in a leadership position or at a senior managerial level is required.
• Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Language

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.