Head of Office

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.  

The Project Office is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with the Project Office’s portfolio of engagements – as part of the Multi Country Office set up, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

UNOPS has been active in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244/99) since 1999, helping partners achieve their goals in areas such as economic development, education, health, environment, justice, mine action and post-conflict rebuilding of infrastructure and livelihoods. The UNOPS office in Pristina currently provides services including project management, infrastructure, administrative support, procurement, fund management and HR services to EU, UNMIK, UNHCR, UNEP, the Government of Kosovo and other bilateral and multi-lateral partners.

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 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.
• Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information and personnel within the respective area of responsibility. 
• In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) 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.
• Perform project manager’s functions, if required 

• A Master’s degree in Management, Social sciences, development, project management, infrastructure related or any other relevant field is required.  
• Bachelor’s Degree with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience in a relevant discipline may be accepted

• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations and/or programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization. 
• At least 3 years of leadership experience including supervising teams and managing budgets is required.
• Previous experience managing donor funded projects or programmes is required.
  
  
• Previous experience as Head of Office is highly desirable.


• Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

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

• Contract type: International Contractor Agreement
• Contract level: International Specialist Level 3
• Contract duration: ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.
• 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.