Country Manager (Re-advertisement)

Tashkent

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Tashkent
Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: 2025-04-10

Job categories Leadership

Vacancy code VA/2025/B5133/29954

Level ICS-12

Department/office ECR, AUMCO, Uzbekistan

Duty station Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Contract type Fixed Term

Contract level P5

Duration One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

Application period 27-Mar-2025 to 10-Apr-2025

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

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of key results:

People leadership
Project Office portfolio management
Alliance building, networking, and advocacy for business development
Service delivery and quality assurance
Representation and inter-agency partnership
Knowledge management and innovation

1. People leadership

Create, foster, and role model a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability within the Project Office.
Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, 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.
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.
Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance.
Manage and supervise technical advisors and retainers to ensure efficient delivery.

2. Project Office portfolio management

Under the guidance and oversight from the MCO Director and the Head of Programme, lead in developing proposals and preparing project agreements in connection with identified opportunities, and oversee the day to day delivery of the respective projects by providing guidance to the respective Project Managers.
Plan and propose to the Multi-Country Office Director and management team required resources (human, financial, and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.
Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Country Office based on inputs from Project Managers, and in consultation with MCO Head of Programme as the Project Executive.
In collaboration with the partners, develop the objectives, performance measurements, standards, and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services.
Oversee, monitor, and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS, assets, property, information, and personnel and their dependents within the respective area of responsibility.
Under the guidance from the MCO Director, MCO MCO Head of Support Services and MCO Head of Programme, the Country Manager manages the overall HSSE performance in the Project Office while overseeing the implementation of all HSSE requirements
In consultation with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation, 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 manuals.

3. Alliance building, networking, and advocacy for business development

Keep abreast of and assess the needs of the relevant national government and other UNOPS partners operating in the country, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy, and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management, to develop opportunities and engagements with new partners, including in full consultation with the UN Resident Coordinator and Country Team.
Engage with MCO management to discuss and seek guidance on opportunities and/or challenges to strengthen UNOPS capacity for programme/project management and business development.
Address partnership challenges in a timely and efficient way, incl. through regular direct and hands-on communication with donors and government stakeholders.

4. Service delivery and quality assurance

In close collaboration with the MCO Head of Support Services and MCO Head of Programme, establish and maintain appropriate arrangements for ensuring excellence of business processes and quality standards as well as ensure direct operational support for delivery of the Project Office programmes/projects, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities whenever available.
Monitor and oversee programme/project implementation with support from MCO Programme Management Office (PMO), review progress, assess constraints, and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the Multi-Country Office, for action and/or intervention, including by taking hands-on action where needed to address key issues and risks.
Under the guidance of the MCO management team, take responsibility for financial decisions/exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Country Office, including submitting financial reports to the Multi-Country Office Director.

5. Representation and inter-agency partnership

As delegated by the MCO Director, and in collaboration with the Head of Programme, represent UNOPS vis a vis the Government, closely engage with line Ministries and development partners to strengthen relationships and engagement on Uzbekistan’s development priorities.
Participate, as delegated by the Multi-Country Office Director, and in collaboration with the Head of Programme, in inter-agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonisation of policies, practices, and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the UNSDCF, integrated Strategic Framework, and ‘Delivering as One’.
On behalf of the MCO Director, participate in any UN country team meetings or interagency management groups to contribute to discussions and initiatives to strengthen coherence, inclusiveness, aid effectiveness, and security measures.
In alignment with the MCO Director, keep the UN Resident Coordinator informed of UNOPS activities within Uzbekistan through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF or equivalent.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) combined with ten (10) years of relevant experience OR
A First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) combined with twelve (12) years of relevant experience is required.

Experience:

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in international development, business development, operations, and/or project/programme management in a large international and/or corporate organization is required
Minimum of three (3) years of UN/UNOPS experience is an asset.
Experience managing large teams, including management of senior professional staff, is a distinct advantage.
Experience in managing complex infrastructure projects, including in the health sector, is a distinct advantage.
Experience in developing country settings, ideally in Central Asia, is desirable.
Prior experience in International Financial Institution (IFI) funded projects/programmes is highly desirable.

Language Requirements:

Full working knowledge of English is required.
Knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek would be considered a distinct advantage.
Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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