Senior Programme Manager – Mine Action

Under the direct standpoint supervision of the UAMCO Head of Programme and under secondary supervision of the PSC Director or delegated authority, the Senior Programme Manager will be overall responsible for strategic planning and implementation and the following responsibilities:

1. Mine Action portfolio Strategy, Planning and Resource Mobilization

2. Project Implementation Delivery

3. Mine Action Leadership and Management

4. Stakeholder Management

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

I. Portfolio Strategy, Planning and Resource Mobilization

• From the standpoint of being accountable and responsible on UNOPS’ behalf to implement Mine Action project(s), lead the development of Programme and project design documents such as:

  • Programme Strategy (e.g. vision, mission, strategic results framework; stakeholder analysis, risk analysis, etc.). 

  • Programme Workplan and Budget (e.g. nature of threat; logical framework; required personnel and equipment; risk management; etc.).

  • Resource mobilization Strategy (e.g. monitor trends humanitarian and development needs to identify potential areas of intervention within UN mandates and existing capacity.

  • Project proposals to donors.

• Support the HoP in applications of policies, practices and procedures associated with the overall implementation of the Humanitarian Programme Cycle and associated funding and monitoring mechanisms, where relevant.

• Ensure that implementation plans have viable timelines, are assigned appropriate resources, and that implementation options reflect the knowledge of the context, as well as UNOPS’ mechanisms and policies; key implementation documents include:

  • UNOPS/donor Project Agreements.

  • Solicitation documents used to contract third-parties (i.e. contractors and grantees).

  • Human resources plans.

• Actively participate in the development and implementation of a portfolio resource mobilization strategy, targeting in-country funding opportunities; such a strategy would include timely and appropriate acknowledgement at both national and international levels of current and past donor contributions and their impact.

II. Project Implementation Delivery

• In accordance with project agreements, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements and plans for delivery of the Mine Action projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.

• Ensures effective management, processes, tools, and resources are in place to deliver project activities of the portfolio in accordance with strategic Legal Agreements.

• Oversee project implementation (including implementation through third-party contractors and grantees), review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the UAMCO Senior Management Team and PSC New York Office, for action and/or intervention.

• Ensure projects are implemented in accordance with UNOPS policies and standards, such as:

  • Financial and procurement rules

  • Contract and grant management policies

  • Project management standards

  • Health, safety, social and environmental standards

  • Gender parity and mainstreaming policies

  • Information management systems and standards

  • Organizational design standards and human resources policies

  • Mine action technical standards

• Draft and/or review high quality reports including, but not limited to, project reports, annual reports, situation reports, briefing notes, code cables, and UN reports. 

• Supervise preparation of written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate.

• Research and prepare analytical, and sometimes sensitive, documents.

• Take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the financial health/sustainability of the Mine Action portfolio.

III. Mine Action Leadership and Management

• Build and strengthen strategic partnership of UNOPS Mine Action in the country through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to maintain and enhance project engagements.

• Provide technical advice and guidance to other UN agencies and partners when requested.

• Keep the HoP and PSC informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management.

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible Mine Action 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, 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.

• 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.

• Support design, coordination and dissemination of public information products and communication activities as well as gather and draft content for communications products and platforms.

• Support preparations for official meetings, events, briefings, and field visits, and prepare talking points, briefing notes, presentations and speeches for the management team and senior UN officials.

IV. Stakeholder Management

• Liaise, negotiate and develop relationships with national authorities with respect to developing projects, including capacity strengthening, with a focus on community driven mine action.

• In addition, manage relationships with: UN country teams (upon request by the UAMCO Country Director) and donors, including reporting to donors and intergovernmental bodies on budget / portfolio performance and programmatic / substantive issues.

• Upon request of the UAMCO Country Director participate in any relevant UN country team meetings to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness and security measures.

• Representing the UAMCO Director, participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic / substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic / substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. 

• Identify and build relationships with other direct UNOPS stakeholders.

V. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

• Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the project delivery and results; continuous review of approaches/methodology to ensure relevance or enact new ones.

• Initiate and undertake lessons learned exercises, including the sharing, effective filing, and incorporation into future plans the lessons learned by the project(s) and others.

• Leverage lessons learned to improve future delivery and quality, and to strengthen the knowledge and information sharing mechanisms internally, as well as with clients and other key stakeholders.