Background Information – UNOPS

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.

UNOPS Hub office

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, in order to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

Background Information – Job-specific

As a result of the significant influx of Syrian refugees and the increased demand on the already over-extended social services system, the livelihoods and access to quality public services in the host communities have been significantly affected. The impact on the social services is particularly acute among the most vulnerable segments of the Jordanian population, an important portion of which reside in the governorates that host the highest numbers of Syrian refugees. Overcrowded health centres and schools, overstretched water, sanitation, and municipal services, as well as pressures on the environment, labour, and housing markets have left Jordanians feeling increasingly disenfranchised and neglected.

Given the multitude of pressures on the Jordanian healthcare system, there is an ongoing need to further strengthen the MoH through support for consumables, equipment, infrastructure, and human resources, and to promote resilience within the national health system. These measures are required to cope with intensified demand for health services from refugees and the changing population demographics.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Functional Responsibilities

The Project Associate will report to the Project Manager. She/he will be expected to conduct regular missions to other locations to monitor and interact with project stakeholders in the execution of the projects.

· Prepare terms of reference for contractors and consultants and prepare recruitment requests;

· Assist with the translation of project documents to and from Arabic and English;

· Support logistical preparations for training events, seminars and workshops.

· Support and follow-up with processing administrative, financial and procurement tasks required for project execution in collaboration with UNOPS operations section;

· Monitor the provision of services by contractors and consultants in coordination with the field personnel and/ or relevant partners;

· Receive and check financial reports sent by contractors and consultants before handing over to operations section.

· Receive and check technical outputs sent by contractors and consultant before submitting to administrative section;

· Supporting in Preparing and holding of project meetings;

· Drafting of regular project progress reports to UNOPS management, donor and other recipients;

· Work in close collaboration with other UNOPS projects and participate in UNOPS management/planning exercises as required;

· Support the planning, reporting, project design and resource mobilization efforts of UNOPS in providing technical services;

· Supports the project management office to ensure all project administration tasks are completed in accordance with customer and internal processes and governance.

· Perform any other duties as might be required for the successful implementation of the projects.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

· Bachelor degree in development studies, sciences, public administration, business management, engineering or other relevant field.

· A minimum of 2 years of directly relevant experience in project implementation.

· Experience of working in an international NGO, UN agency or other international technical cooperation agency is required.

· Experience in project design, implementation and monitoring is required;

· Experience in managing and organizing events including excellent organization skills, ability to follow deadlines, accuracy and attention to details is required.

· Knowledge in use of MS Office is required.

· Proven capacity to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including non-governmental partners, and other UN agencies and international donors is desirable.

· Previous knowledge of the UN system is an advantage.

· Full proficiency in both English and Arabic is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local ICA
2. Contract level: LICA 6
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘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-of…

Additional Considerations

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