Background Information - Job-specific
About UNOPS
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations body responsible for infrastructure, procurement and project management. Our mission is to deliver practical solutions, making projects happen and responding where needs are greatest. For three decades, UNOPS has helped people improve their living conditions and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
About UNOPS in Guatemala
UNOPS activities in Guatemala started 27 years ago, in 1997. Since then our main partners are public institutions and our focus of contributions has always been characterized by strengthening the local institutions by intervening in a variety of sectors and projects of varying complexities. From accompanying the peace process following the armed conflict, promoting productive activity in regions of extreme poverty, to modernizing the state in terms of reducing infrastructure gaps, procurement, and more recently, supporting efforts in transparency and efficiency of public institutions, in line with the priorities of the government and the well-being of Guatemalans.
As of 2024 the new elected government identified UNOPS as its partner of choice to support the implementation of the 2024-2028 Government Plan, by strengthening government institutions leading to the adoption of a Fair Public Management approach, that allows the transition towards the modernization of the country's health procurement and infrastructure systems.
The first milestone of this new era is the signature of a major programme with the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance of Guatemala (MSPAS). The programme aims to collaborate with the enhancement of the various mechanisms of access to medicines, medical equipment, and supplies by implementing alternative procurement channels for up to USD 943M, following the best practices in public procurement and strengthening institutional capabilities.
Quite advanced are also the negotiations of another programme with the Ministry of Communications, Infrastructure and Housing of Guatemala (MICIVI) which is focused on health infrastructure, roads infrastructure, community infrastructure and public administration infrastructure. UNOPS is also supporting other Ministries and institutions with the implementation of relevant public infrastructure projects.The abovementioned portfolio makes Guatemala one of the biggest UNOPS country operations in the world.
It must be noted that the political context in Guatemala is very complex, changing and fragile, therefore requiring UNOPS to be constantly engaging with high-level government representatives, UNRC and UNCT, as well as other international and civil organizations in the country. The projects UNOPS is being asked to support are quite strategic for the country and therefore have high visibility and exposure.
About the Deputy Director Role
The Deputy Director of UNOPS in Guatemala plays a critical supporting role to the Director, ensuring effective execution of strategic initiatives and maintaining operational continuity. This position is central to advancing the strategic planning, close coordination with senior stakeholders, portfolio development, and program oversight to ensure impactful delivery.
The Deputy Director will mainly focus on:
(i) Strategic Leadership and Representation
Support the Director in high-level engagements with national authorities, including the President, Ministers, oversight bodies, legislators, and ambassadors.
Facilitate coordination with national institutions, multilateral organizations, and international partners, reinforcing UNOPS' commitment to government priorities.
Act as the principal backup to the Director, assuming leadership responsibilities as required and during absences to maintain operational continuity and mitigate risks.
Provides strategic support to the Director in coordinating initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity and sustainable development, with a clear focus on transparency and fair public management.
(ii) Strategic Programme Management & Portfolio Development
Lead the Project Management Office (PMO): Oversee the PMO as the central hub for project management excellence, ensuring standardized management processes, knowledge sharing, and resource coordination to drive consistent, efficient, and high-quality project delivery across all phases.
Lead the infrastructure unit as the technical excellence hub for infrastructure projects across all project stages.
Oversee assigned projects and programs in alignment with UNOPS' standards, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and impact.
Support the development and management of strategic partnerships with national institutions, multilateral organizations, and international partners to drive portfolio growth and ensure alignment with governmental priorities and national development goals.
The Deputy Director reports to the Country Director and is vital to supporting the Director and ensuring UNOPS' continued role as a strategic partner of the government of Guatemala. The Deputy Director provides crucial operational leadership, ensuring resilience, continuity, and effective risk management in advancing UNOPS' mission in Guatemala.
Functional Responsibilities
Summary of key results:
Strategic Leadership and Representation
Strategic Programme & Portfolio Management
Portfolio Development (Partnership networking and advocacy)
Knowledge management and innovation
1. Strategic Leadership and Representation
Support the Director in high-level engagements with national authorities, including the President, Ministers, oversight bodies, legislators, ambassadors, private sector and academia.
Support the Country Director in the coordination with national institutions, multilateral organizations, and international partners, reinforcing UNOPS' commitment to government priorities.
Act as the principal backup to the Director, assuming leadership responsibilities as required and during absences to maintain operational continuity and mitigate risks.
Provides strategic support to the Director in coordinating initiatives that strengthen institutional capacity and sustainable development, with a clear focus on transparency and corruption prevention.
2. Programme & Portfolio Management
Provides strategic support to the Director on project and portfolio management, focusing on:
Supervising the Programme Management Office (PMO) to uphold programme governance standards and ensure best practices in project management across all programmes and projects in Guatemala.
Ensuring smooth operations in the Guatemala country office and facilitating coordination between programmes and support services areas, providing guidance and timely information to the Director on processes, products and results of the portfolio.
Providing periodic reports on the implementation of the portfolio in Guatemala to selected partners and stakeholders.
Supervising the Infrastructure Unit (IU): to uphold technical excellence for all infrastructure projects in Guatemala and across all project stages.
Supervising mid complexity projects / programmes:
Develop and implement programme plans with clear objectives, performance metrics, and standards to ensure timely and client-focused delivery.
Monitor programme implementation, ensuring alignment with UNOPS goals, partner expectations, budgets, and signed Legal Agreements.
Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate programme and project risks.
Mentor Project Managers, promoting best practices for project planning, execution, and delivery.
Ensure accurate project tracking, output analysis, and reporting.
Ensuring Guatemala Country Office financial sustainability and alignment with organizational strategies.
Planning and proposing required programme resources (human and financial).
Monitoring and submitting revenue and expenditure forecasts aligned with financial goals.
Overseeing the preparation of key programme documents, including business cases, plans, and risk assessments.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with accountability standards.
3. Portfolio Development through Partnership, networking and advocacy
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
Work closely with the Partnership & Communications unit to ensure and facilitate the capture of lessons learnt from programme and project implementation into new opportunities and engagement development, as well as the adequate identification of risks and mitigation measures.
Contribute to current and future growth plans for the Country Office, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS Strategic Plan.
Support Partnership & Communications Unit to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.
At the request of the Country Director participate and/or represent the Country Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
At the request of the Country Director represent UNOPS Guatemala in portfolio development meetings with national institutions, multilateral organizations, and international partners, ensuring UNOPS operations align with governmental priorities.
4. Knowledge management and innovation
Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.
Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.
Impact of Results
The effective and successful performance by the Deputy Director directly impacts on achievement of programme results and 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
An Advanced University degree (Masterโs Degree or equivalent) combined with ten (10) years of relevant experience OR
A First level University degree (Bachelorโs Degree or equivalent) combined with twelve(12) years of relevant experience is required.
Experience
Certifications
Certifications in Project Management are desirable but not mandatory (eg. PMI, Prince, or similar).
Languages
Fluent in Spanish and English are 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. 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: Staff - Fixed Term Appointment (FTA)
Contract level: P5/ICS 12
Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/UN-Staff-Contracts.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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.