Principal Programme Management Officer at United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON)

Under the general oversight and direction of the Director of Administration, the incumbent will be responsible for the programme management, design and construction related planning and execution tasks as well as all support services required for the planning and execution of the Conference Upgrade project, entailing the renovation and upgrade of the existing conference facilities in Nairobi over a 8 year period in line with the established project scope and key performance indicators, which includes large-scale relocation of the existing conference functions of the organization, while ensuring business continuity of conference operations for major UN Secretariat clients including United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) running conferences at the UN Nairobi complex throughout the construction.

Responsibilities

In this context, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Formulates and implements the substantive work programme under his/her supervision, entailing the establishment and maintenance of programme management, control and support arrangements, including an appropriate communications and contracting strategy, aiming to ensure that the UNON Conference Upgrade project progresses on time and budget, while mitigating key project risks by applying relevant expert knowledge of the design, construction and project management methodologies. Oversees the management of the UNON Conference Upgrade project related design and construction activities undertaken by that Service, including acquisition management, contracting, scheduling, cost estimating, quality control and contract administration. Ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas both within the UNON Conference Upgrade project team, UNON and with other Departments and entities of the United Nations System, as well as with the local authorities, including departments of construction, planning offices, roads and utilities authorities as appropriate.
• Leads, supervises and carries out the UNON Conference Upgrade work programme under his/her responsibility including the management and coordination of the project cost, such as bill of quantities and time control procedures as well as the validation of any change order to contracts. Oversees the Project Management Plan for site operations, project guidelines, policies, procedures and performance standards. Ensures implementation of the project management plan in all phases of the project. Approves all design and construction contracts submitted. Manages the financial, human and contractual resources assigned, including the programme management firm. Oversees the work carried out by different work units under the Service and co-ordinates the work programme with other parts of the UNON Conference Upgrade project team and other UNON entities as necessary. Ensures resources are used properly in order to achieve all UNON Conference Upgrade project goals and objectives.
• Oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, and the General Assembly, as appropriate.
• Oversees all cost estimates, cost reports, cost analysis worksheets, owner’s reports, fee payments, monthly construction invoices, master cost breakdowns, general conditions estimates and labour cost reports. Approves monthly project reports from project consultants.
• Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the staff under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
• Direct line management of the Chief Programme Management Support and the Chief of Design and Construction in preparing the work programme of the UNON Conference Upgrade project team, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Oversight of schedule and long term planning, monitor/control construction to ensure the project is executed on schedule and within budget.
• Oversees the design, construction and administrative tasks necessary for the implementation of the UNON Conference Upgrade project and the functioning of the UNON Conference Upgrade project team, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
• Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries.
• Represents the UNON Conference Upgrade project team at international, regional or national meetings.
• Performs additional tasks as and when requested.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the contracting and construction management issues, particularly codes and legal requirements preferably in the host county or a similar environment. Ability to implement major capital projects effectively, on time and budget.
• Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Competency in the use of relevant information technology and systems. Ability to work with people from various cultures and professions and successful experience in working with boards and external audiences is desirable. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
• JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in programme/project management, engineering, architecture, business or public administration, law or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional certification or membership of chartered institutes is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 15 years of progressively responsible professional experience, of which at least seven (7) years are in the field of programme and project management, preferably in the context of planning and implementing large-scale construction or renovation projects is required.
• Senior level responsibility for resource planning and project management and experience in cost control or monitoring is desirable.
• Work experience in the not-for-profit sector, working in an international environment, and work experience within a contracting and legal environment is desirable.
• Experience in using relevant IT systems, such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Project Management software is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of French is desirable.

Closing date: 8 April 2022