Project Management Support Associate (Open to Internal Candidates only) at UNOPS Ethiopia

UNOPS Ethiopia Job Vacancy:

Position: Project Management Support Associate (Open to Internal Candidates only)

Deadline: December, 27/2023

UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-Country Office has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building and technical assistance. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU). This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters and will lay the groundwork for institutional capacity strengthening through the establishment of a Technical Assistance Management Unit (TAMU). The TAMU will be composed of a group of Technical Assistants and experts, recruited and supervised by UNOPS personnel that will implement part of the project activities. The unit will be managed by the UNOPS for the duration of the project. TAMU will oversee the mapping of the necessary human resource requirements and potential interventions aimed at boosting the capacity of the Ministry.

UNOPS has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building and technical assistance. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU). This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters and will lay the groundwork for institutional capacity strengthening through the establishment of a Technical Assistance Management Unit (TAMU). The TAMU will be composed of a group of Technical Assistants and experts, recruited and supervised by UNOPS personnel that would implement part of the project activities. The unit will be managed by the UNOPS for the duration of the project. TAMU will oversee the mapping of the necessary human resource requirements and potential interventions aimed at boosting the capacity of the Ministry.

The Project Management Support Associate will support the implementation of the project with contract administration and management. S/he serves as the first contact for internal and external stakeholders in resolving questions and providing support on all aspects of managing the contracts of technical assistants and consultants.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Management Support Associate will undertake the following activities/responsibilities:

Support the TAMU team in the administration of all contracts (Technical Assistants, Procurement, Service Contracts etc) under the project.

In consultation with the HR team in Addis, Inform project personnel on their conditions of service and entitlements according to their contract modality, expediting actions to facilitate their efficient, timely, and client-focused onboarding.

• Support in monitoring contract performance, and deliverables and preparing contract change notices accordingly.

• Set up and maintain reference files/records for each technical assistant supporting the ministry under the auspice of TAMU.

• Track and follow up on the status of pending requests and approaching deadlines about technical assistant contracts including payment request verification and follow-up of payment processing.

• Act as liaison between technical assistants and HR to ensure the smooth onboarding of incoming personnel including those based in regional health bureaus.

• Assist the TAMU team in the development of documents and guidelines related to technical assistant management, particularly in the areas of recruitment and management of contracts, benefits, and entitlements.

• Research precedents and present recommendations to the TAMU team on a range of technical assistant administration issues, taking into account institutionalized exceptions.

• Assist in maintaining systems for monitoring performance of technical assistants including the development of relevant KPIs to ensure real-time performance tracking.

• Assist the project team in implementing capacity-strengthening activities that are aimed at supporting the MOH to apply the systems developed through the TAMU.

• Supporting partner in any ad hoc request for example Audit related to HR.

• Assist in organizing training and learning initiatives for personnel on technical assistant management-related topics.

• Support the project team in updating the risk register and implementing mitigation measures under the project’s risk management approach.

• Contribute to the preparation and dissemination of regular progress updates and reports to internal and external stakeholders.

• Take part in the Quarterly Assurance meetings.

• Perform other duties as may be reasonably required and in line with the incumbent’s scope of services above.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Project Management Support Associate directly impacts the success of the TAMU project and the promotion of UNOPS’s credibility as an effective service provider in project services and management.

Education/Experience/

Education:

• Completion of Secondary education is required.

• A first-level University (Bachelor’s) Degree in Human Resource Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, or related disciplines is desirable.

• Experience:

• A minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience in an international and/or national organization supporting projects related to HR/and Admin support/operations is required.

• Experience in personnel performance and contract management is an asset.

• Knowledge of UN policies, procedures and practices is highly desirable.

• Some experience in UN system organizations is an asset.

• Proficiency in computers and office software packages(Google Suite) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an asset.

• Experience in using Enterprise systems including OneUNOPS is desired.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in spoken, reading and written English is required.

• Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

• Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

 Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA -6 (ICS6)

Contract duration: ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

This is a local position and is open to Ethiopian nationals only.

 Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

• Qualified women and candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties under the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

How to Apply

Register using THIS LINK