Portfolio Manager

Portfolio Manager

Job categories: Project Management, Partnerships
Vacancy code: VA/2024/B5516/28446
Level: ICS-10
Department/office: AR, SAMCO, Nepal
Duty station: Kathmandu , Nepal
Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-2
Duration: Ongoing
Application period: 01-Jul-2024 to 14-Jul-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS in Nepal

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been supporting Nepal by implementing projects since 2007. It was established as a country office for Nepal in 2015 and operates under the South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), Colombo.

The UNOPS Nepal Office has implemented Projects in all seven provinces of Nepal with key government partners; the Nepal Police (Ministry of Home Affairs), the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS), the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Provincial Governments. Supporting Nepal’s development plan and the 2030 Agenda, the Nepal Office is implementing projects in post-earthquake reconstruction, security and justice, field monitoring and coordination, and in recent times– immediate health support to respond to the Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) crisis. Within the reconstruction portfolio, the Nepal Office provided socio-technical assistance to individual households, developed innovative approaches for retrofitting earthquake-damaged homes, and delivered services to the most vulnerable households, ensuring nobody is left behind.

With a steady growth of the country portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UNOPS Nepal is looking to strengthen the Portfolio Management Capacity of the country office as well as for the ongoing and upcoming projects under the country office.

The functions and services of the Portfolio Manager include:

• Strategic Oversight/Portfolio Support: Applying and evidence-based approach to project oversight, early warning, corrective actions, and mainstreaming lessons into business planning
• Delivery Support: Doing Projects the Right Way with specific emphasis on in-depth, full project cycle management, from starting up new projects, to substantive closure. Providing guidance to Project Managers and their teams in delivering projects according to policy and best practice
• Best Practices: Doing Projects Consistently and well through mentoring, coaching and developing the project management team’s capacity to deliver successful and impactful projects

Through these functions and services, the Portfolio Manager will ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization standards, while acting as the overall Project Assurance capacity within the business unit on behalf of senior management. The PMO strongly contributes to moving the office towards achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

The Portfolio Manager manages projects in the Nepal Country Office Transactional Unit team. The selected candidate will work under the direct supervision of the Country Manager to ensure that projects meet their intended outcomes, are implemented to the highest standard of project management practices, and meet partner satisfaction.

Functional Responsibilities

Leadership, Team and Resource Management

• Actively contributes to the implementation and further refinement of the Resources Pool Management Strategy; promoting synergies across the Transactional Unit;
• Develops strategies and approaches that foster a common vision for maturity, and strive towards harmonizing good practices across projects in the Transactional Unit;
• Instill a culture of excellence, best practices, continuous improvement, and lesson learning in the delivery of projects in the Project Management Team;
• In collaboration with the Senior Portfolio Manager, take a leadership role in the implementation of the Operational Excellence Agenda; ensuring KPIs are mainstreamed into all PMs performance metrics and monitored regularly;
• 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, harassment, sexual harassment 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.
• Develops and establishes resource tracking systems and/ tools for use within the PM Team, complementary to UNOPS’ online tools, to ensure effective planning, forecasting and tracking of delivery across the office.

Portfolio Monitoring and Performance Oversight

• Providing Portfolio, Programme and Project (P3M) oversight, advice and direction in line with legal commitments to partners;
• Oversee and assure the consistent and feasible development, completion and updates of implementation plan(s);
• Ensure Project Managers embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project plans;
• Ensure all projects establish effective tools to monitor and report, and identify issues related to milestones and targets throughout the project lifecycles;
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data on the portfolio performance using the dashboard systems available;
• Regularly review and assure status of projects evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality);
• Monitor and appraise the delivery of activities, products, and outputs/milestones against partner commitments, ensuring projects satisfy quality expectations of partners;
• Provide guidance, support and assurance over to change management and control procedures including amendments, exception reports and planning;
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved

Starting up Projects

• Provide expertise for start-up of programmes or projects, planning and closing projects as per the organizational requirements;
• Ensure new projects are formally received/ taken over, from the Partnerships team ensuring all knowledge is transferred to the custodianship to the Programme Team;
• In the absence of a dedicated PM, lead the start-up of new projects including the recruitment of the project team and preliminary activities. Ensures thorough handover to incoming PMs upon arrival;
• Facilitate the identification of dependencies between teams and work packages to inform the development of feasible and implementable project plans;
• Facilitate the development of high-level programme/project plans, including the collation of sub-plans as required by both legal commitments and the UNOPS P3M requirements;

Procedures and Assurance

• Ensures all projects in the portfolio comply with all organizational standards, policies, procedures and tools and specifically the Project Management Manual
• Monitor and ensure projects prepare and issue regular project reports in accordance with legal commitments to donors for reporting and internal reporting schedules;
• Provide assurance and editorial support over Project Reports, ensuring timely and quality dissemination of reports, in line with project agreements and clients’ expectations;
• Work with the PMO and Support Services teams to assure feasibility of project implementation plans and sub-plans;
• Collaborate with the PMO to undertake assurance over progress against results/outputs/milestones as specified in the logical frameworks and contributions to SDGs and the UNSDCF;
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements;
• Ensures Project Managers exercise management control over activities, products, outputs, deliverables and/or milestones;
• Identify and anticipates in a timely manner, potential risks and issues specific to financial performance, expenditure forecasts, and advises mitigating measures to the Country Manager;
• Undertake thorough review of risk and issue registers providing feedback to PMs on risk/issues identification and responses. Ensure risk/issues responses are mainstreamed into updated plans and implementation is monitored to full task completion;

Stakeholder Engagement

• Provides oversight and guidance to PMs in the development of stakeholder profiles and facilitates the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies;
• Ensures projects establish communications plans as per the identified stakeholder ;
• Monitor the timely and effective implementation of stakeholder engagement, communication and visibility plans throughout the lifecycle of projects including effective and early coordination with the Communications team.

Planning, Knowledge Management, Good Practices, and Innovation

• Actively contribute to the MCO’s maturity enhancement and innovation initiatives to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to project implementation;
• Support the Country Manager and the Partnerships team in the development of new projects, reflecting lessons learnt from past projects that gives due consideration feasibility of project budgets, staffing resources;
• Lead the development and implementation of common procedures and work flows to improve quality and effectiveness of projects, and monitor their full implementation.
• Strive for consistency and standardized and harmonized practices in the execution of similar projects;
• Facilitate and deliver capacity building activities across the Project Management team based on development needs identified;
• Participate in, and advocate PMs’ participation in, relevant Communities of Practice;
• Actively interact with PMs and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in the Knowledge System;
• Proactively remain abreast of new developments, innovations and tools related to Portfolio, Programme and Project Management (P3M) practices promoting a common approach and frame of reference;
• Coach, mentor, train and otherwise support the Programme and Project Management Teams to fulfill their objectives and potential;
• Act as an advisory resource for other Programme Team members as appropriate;

The Portfolio Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by assisting the Country Manager and other members of the MCO’s Leadership Management Team to oversee and ensure Nepal office’s transactional unit projects are implemented according to partner commitments, organizational policy requirements and international best practice. Doing so is expected to build partner confidence in UNOPS delivery systems, reduce risks, cut costs and improve success rates.

This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project Services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree) in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, Procurement/Supply Chain Management or other relevant disciplines is required.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, Procurement/Supply Chain Management in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Certification:

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI or equivalent) is an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of five(5) years progressive demonstrated experience in a Portfolio Management, Project/Programme Management role in the delivery of development projects is required;
• Working knowledge of project management software tools and applications is an asset;
• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams is an asset;
• Experience in developing and successfully implementing stakeholder engagement plans is a distinct advantage.
• Past experience with procurement of goods/services is a distinct advantage;
• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage;
• Experience in the use of google software packages (Google Doc, Sheets and Slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an added advantage.

Language:

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

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
• 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 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: Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: International ICA (I-ICA 2 / ICS 10)
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

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 which 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 in accordance with 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.

Tagged as: Kathmandu, Manager, NGO INGO, UNOPS