Background Information - Sri Lanka
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.
UNOPS provides infrastructure, procurement and project management services for a more sustainable world. Firmly grounded in UN values, we ensure our partners maximize the positive impact of their peace and security, humanitarian and development projects. Equality, inclusiveness, sustainability and resilience form the foundations of our work.
Sri Lanka
UNOPS has been actively supporting Sri Lanka since 2005, first in the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process, then focusing on socio-economic development. Working closely with the Government, UNOPS assisted in development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems and integrated solid waste management sectors.
Project Information
The project โSupport to the Development Partners (DP) Secretariatโ is jointly funded by the Government of Canada and the United Nations Resident Coordinatorโs Office. It aims to strengthen the Development Partners coordination framework in Sri Lanka, which consists of a DP Strategic Group, a DP Forum, a Bilateral Donor Group, and eight (8) Thematic Working Groups. The DP Secretariat coordinates these groupings, thereby facilitating dialogue among bilateral and multilateral donors/missions, development partners, and entities of the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL). The Secretariat plays a key role in promoting donor coordination and coherence, knowledge management and information sharing, and gender equality integration, contributing to the countryโs development priorities.
The Senior Officer will be considered the Head of the DP Secretariat and a senior level position requiring strong relationship management, networking and coordination skills, and solid understanding of the development sector in Sri Lanka and of official development assistance (ODA). The position reports to the UNOPS Head of Programme. The Senior Officer is expected to coordinate with the DP Strategic Group Chair or Co-chairs. He/she will be responsible for managing the project and for integrating the key principles of the coordination framework, as follows:National ownership and alignment with the Government of Sri Lanka policies and strategies related to development, economic growth, and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Constructive collaboration with bilateral and multilateral donors/missions, development partners, and entities of the GoSL, as a country partner eligible for official development assistance (ODA).
Readiness to compile and share information about international assistance initiatives, bilateral donor and multilateral agenciesโ strategies, programmes, and projects.
Collaborative work, division of labour and harmonization of processes and procedures across broader development sector in Sri Lanka.
Ensure gender equality is mainstreamed across all activities and coordination efforts.
Functional ResponsibilitiesSpecific tasks in support of DP Secretariat objectives include:
Objective 1: Effective relationship management across stakeholders and development partners, including across vertical and horizontal levels, of donors, multilateral and civil society partners, government counterparts
Coordinate regular engagement meetings with key stakeholders and development partners. Facilitate information-sharing and feedback mechanisms across donor and government counterparts. Support joint planning and collaboration initiatives among multilateral, bilateral, and civil society partners.
Objective 2: Effective coordination of the DP strategic group, DP forum, Bilateral Donor Group, and Thematic working groups
Prepare workplans and terms of reference (ToRs). Monitor progress in line with ToRs, objectives and workplans. Ensure, under the substantive guidance of respective chairs, all aspects of planning, convening and following up on regular and ad-hoc DP Forum meetings including all active Working Groups.
Objective 3: Enhanced exchange of information amongst DPs
Act as a central focal point for information exchange amongst DPs.
Oversee and maintain an evergreen mapping of donor initiatives organized by sector/working group.
Encourage the collaboration of National Planning Department (NPD) and External Resources Department (ERD) in coordination of ODA-initiatives, for example, through participating in the Global Partnership on Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).
Foster that collaboration of DPs in agreed knowledge and information sharing modalities.
Facilitate strategic linkages between the various DP fora and working groups including groups on gender and climate action.
Objective 4: Enhanced DP coordination in key strategic areas
Establish a regular engagement mechanism with the Ministry of Finance/NPD/ERD/Department of Project Management and Monitoring (DPMM) to support the implementation of ODA-funded initiatives as aligned with GoSL policies and priorities. Objective 6: Strengthened DP engagement with civil society organisations (CSOs)
In consultation with DPs, identify areas that would benefit from closer communication with or engagement of CSOs and facilitate the same. Objective 7: Oversight of data collection and management/undertaking or commissioning analysis
Leverage knowledge amongst DPs and relevant DP Working Groups, organizing studies, desk reviews, and assessments on specific topics of interest to the DP community, including gender equality and its impact on development.
Oversee the collection of existing data sets, reports, assessments and other available information on development and ODA matters, and gender equality to inform policy and programming.
Provide oversight for commissioning or undertaking of primary data collection, analysis, and desktop studies to fill data and evidence gaps, including those related to gender equality as requested by DPs. Objective 8: Ensure effective project implementation and strategic operations
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in social sciences, economics, political science, law, international relations, development studies, gender mainstreaming or a related field.
A University Degree (Bachelor or Undergraduate Degree) with two (2) additional years above the minimum required below would be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
A Secondary School Diploma / High-school diploma with six (6) additional years above the minimum required below would be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience
Minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in the development sector, in roles which include strong relationship management components, coordination and collaboration across horizontal and vertical relationships.
Previous work with the UN or in an international environment is an advantage.
Experience in the field of donor coordination, government liaison, gender equality and gender mainstreaming is desirable.
Language requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil is highly desirable.
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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist, LICA 9
Contract duration: 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-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.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.