Country Manager

Job HighlightDrive strategic delivery and sustainable impact by leading country‐level planning, execution, and monitoring of all engagements.

Role PurposeThe Country Manager reports to the Multi‐Country Office (MCO) Director, who provides strategic direction, oversight and guidance. Working in close collaboration with the MCO's Head of Support Services (HoSS) and Head of Programme (HoP), the Country Manager is accountable for planning, executing and monitoring the delivery of all engagements. S/he actively pursues new business, building key relationships and ensuring the timely, cost‐effective and sustainable delivery of services to all partners and stakeholders.

Functions / Key Results ExpectedPeople 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.

Project Office Portfolio Management

Under the guidance and oversight of the MCO Director and HoP, develop proposals and prepare project agreements in connection with identified opportunities.

Plan and propose required resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals set for the Project Office.

Establish the strategies and implementation plans for the Project Office.

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 eligible dependents within the respective area of responsibility.

Under the guidance of the MCO Director and with the support of the MCO Head of Support Services and the MCO Head of Programme, the Country Manager manages the overall HSSE performance in the Project Office while overseeing the implementation of all HSSE requirements.

Consult – if most senior UNOPS person in‐country – 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 performing duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy Manual.

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 (and under the guidance of the MCO Director) 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 and existing partners.

Keep the MCO Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and business development.

Service Delivery and Quality Assurance

In close collaboration with the MCO HoSS and HoP, 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 projects/programmes, including leveraging regional or corporate support facilities wherever available.

Monitor and oversee project/programme implementation, review progress, assess constraints and take corrective action, ensuring early warning of risks to the MCO, for action and/or intervention.

Take responsibility for financial decisions/ exercise financial control to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability of the Project Office, including submitting financial reports to the MCO Director.

Representation and Inter‐Agency Coordination

Participate, as delegated by the MCO Director, in inter‐agency and external meetings/bodies to contribute to the harmonization of policies, practices and approaches within the UN System, such as the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Integrated Strategic Framework (UNSDCF), 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 [country name] through regular communication and formal reporting on business acquisition and implementation of activities led by UNOPS as part of the UNSDCF or equivalent.

Risk Management

Drive high‐quality, well‐informed decisions that align with organizational goals for effective and measurable outcomes to the regional assessment exercise for UN Resident Coordinators.

Ensure corporate reporting, information flow and appropriate escalation of awareness of emerging risks and topics.

Champion risk management through a 'tone at the top' leadership approach, promoting alignment with applicable standards and policies.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

Contribute to the development and introduction of innovation to ensure UNOPS is continually incorporating best practice approaches.

Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for corporate, regional and national development planning and knowledge building.

Plan, implement and organise strategic capacity building of personnel, partners and stakeholders.

Education Requirements

Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR

Master's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Requirements – ExperienceRequired

Relevant experience in strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, business development planning and operations in a large corporate or international organization, or related area.

Desired

Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organisations in a developing country is desired.

Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary: GBP 60000 - 80000 per year Experience: 7 years required
Back to blog

Common Interview Questions And Answers

1. HOW DO YOU PLAN YOUR DAY?

This is what this question poses: When do you focus and start working seriously? What are the hours you work optimally? Are you a night owl? A morning bird? Remote teams can be made up of people working on different shifts and around the world, so you won't necessarily be stuck in the 9-5 schedule if it's not for you...

2. HOW DO YOU USE THE DIFFERENT COMMUNICATION TOOLS IN DIFFERENT SITUATIONS?

When you're working on a remote team, there's no way to chat in the hallway between meetings or catch up on the latest project during an office carpool. Therefore, virtual communication will be absolutely essential to get your work done...

3. WHAT IS "WORKING REMOTE" REALLY FOR YOU?

Many people want to work remotely because of the flexibility it allows. You can work anywhere and at any time of the day...

4. WHAT DO YOU NEED IN YOUR PHYSICAL WORKSPACE TO SUCCEED IN YOUR WORK?

With this question, companies are looking to see what equipment they may need to provide you with and to verify how aware you are of what remote working could mean for you physically and logistically...

5. HOW DO YOU PROCESS INFORMATION?

Several years ago, I was working in a team to plan a big event. My supervisor made us all work as a team before the big day. One of our activities has been to find out how each of us processes information...

6. HOW DO YOU MANAGE THE CALENDAR AND THE PROGRAM? WHICH APPLICATIONS / SYSTEM DO YOU USE?

Or you may receive even more specific questions, such as: What's on your calendar? Do you plan blocks of time to do certain types of work? Do you have an open calendar that everyone can see?...

7. HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE FILES, LINKS, AND TABS ON YOUR COMPUTER?

Just like your schedule, how you track files and other information is very important. After all, everything is digital!...

8. HOW TO PRIORITIZE WORK?

The day I watched Marie Forleo's film separating the important from the urgent, my life changed. Not all remote jobs start fast, but most of them are...

9. HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A MEETING AND PREPARE A MEETING? WHAT DO YOU SEE HAPPENING DURING THE MEETING?

Just as communication is essential when working remotely, so is organization. Because you won't have those opportunities in the elevator or a casual conversation in the lunchroom, you should take advantage of the little time you have in a video or phone conference...

10. HOW DO YOU USE TECHNOLOGY ON A DAILY BASIS, IN YOUR WORK AND FOR YOUR PLEASURE?

This is a great question because it shows your comfort level with technology, which is very important for a remote worker because you will be working with technology over time...