Project Management Support Specialist (Payment Mentor) – Mogadishu, Somalia
UNOPS
Job Type
Full Time
Location
Mogadishu
Description :
Project Management Support Specialist (Payment Mentor)
Job categories: Project Management
Vacancy code: VA/2020/B5311/19806
Level: ICS-10
Department/office: AFR, Somalia Country Office (SOCO)
Duty station: Mogadishu, Somalia
Contract type: International ICA
Contract level: IICA-2
Duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance
Deadline: 31-May-2020
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Background Information – Job-specific
The Stipends programme is a part of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and falls within the second of the Peace and State building Goals (PSGs): “Establish unified, capable, accountable and rights-based Somali federal security institutions, providing basic security for its citizens.” Complementary to the stipends programmes is the biometric registration of the military. Registration of the military personnel promotes accountability and transparency and is crucial for strengthening the Somali government’s capacity in terms of improved financial and personnel management.
The Project Management Support Specialist (Payment Mentor) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the military stipends, payments, verification and bio-metric registration/verification. She/he is expected to meet project objectives and provide the project related services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. She/he is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals.
She/he is responsible for managing the payment process before, during and after verification and responsible for the Somali National Army (SNA) personnel data handlers made out of SNA soldiers. She/he will train and coach local SNA staff to execute the payments.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager and secondary supervision of the Head of Programme, the Project Management Support Specialist (Payment Mentor) will perform the following duties and responsibilities.
Delivery and Performance:
- Undertake and manage the delivery of the military stipend payments.
- Manage and coordinate the functions of the Somalia National Army data handlers/teams.
- Analysis of data for payment and verification of correctness.
- Liaise the transfer of funds for stipend payments with the designated bank(s).
- Facilitate the development and certification of the military stipend payment lists.
- Supervise the functions of the Payment Team Observer(s).
- Compile comprehensive post stipend payment reports as per set standard.
- Deploy with and maintain contact with field teams to ensure the timely flow of the project data;
- Engage in strategic examination of organizational engagement in Somalia, development revision and monitoring of the strategic plan;
- Assist the Project Manager in development of regional, personal and thematic plans to achieve stated goals and objectives, including developing background and contextual components of work plans;
- Enhance and strengthen mechanisms for including impact, outcomes, and measurability from the initial planning.
- Ensure availability of updated data of soldiers with purification of Biometric Systems in collaboration with Biometric Registration Mentor / Management Information System (MIS) Specialist.
- Develop tools for monitoring of field activities in line with project objectives (personal safety of personnel on the ground).
- Assist the Human Resources System (HRS) project team with gathering biometric data, for reporting to the HRS Steering Group and align the data gathered with actuals.
- Measure progress according to monthly timelines, identifying gaps in delivery, proposing solutions in collaboration with the Project Manager;
- Troubleshoot, and problem solve when issues are encountered in the field level to ensure delivery of quality information and deliver stipend payments;
- Manage gathering of impact, effect and human-interest data from the field, including interviews and feedback from beneficiaries, photos, video, and interest stories for all activities being undertaken in Somalia. Quality assure this information.
- Prepare reports and correspondence to a high standard in English.
- Participate in relevant coordination meetings and other working groups.
Other duties as required by the Senior PM.
Monitoring and Progress
- Ensure that the payment, verification, and registration processes produce the required outcomes within the agreed upon limitations of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. Impact of Results
- The effective and successful achievement of results by the Project Management Support Specialist (Payment Mentor) directly impacts the efficient and effective management of resources in projects and operations, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. He/she is also responsible for the payment and verification process producing a result within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope and risk capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business case/s contributing to the overall business targets and needs. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Qualifications and Experience
- Education
- Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration/ Public Administration with an emphasis Finance, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Criminology, Law or other relevant disciplines is required.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration / Public Administration with an emphasis in Finance, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Criminology, Law or other relevant disciplines with a combination of two (2) additional years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Associates Degree/Certifications with six (6) years Military/Police/Armed Forces experience may also be considered in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Work Experience
- A minimum of five (5) years of relevant progressive experience in either Project Management or Operational Management (Payment Systems) in either public/private or international organizations is required.
- Experience in Stipends, Public Finance and Electronic/Telephone funds transfer is an asset.
- Experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting in complex humanitarian and/or development programmes, in one or more countries, at an operational level is an asset
- Operational experience in the security sector i.e. Rule of Law, Military, Police, Coast guard, Fire and Rescue services is an asset.
- Personnel Management experience/skills is an advantage Stakeholder Management experience is highly desirable.
- Ability to produce reports and papers in English on substantive issues with strict attention to deadlines;
- Ability to review and edit the work of others who are non-native English speakers; Excellent drafting ability and communication skills, both verbal and written is desirable.
- Experience /knowledge of Google Suite and good computer skills is an asset.
- Ability to communicate complex concepts orally, an ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful;
- Good interpersonal skills and abilities to gain assistance of others in a team endeavour via emotional maturity; Ability to effectively work in a multicultural environment in a team is an asset.
- Language Requirement
Fluency in written and spoken English Language is required.
Additional Considerations
Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Work life Harmonization – UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.
Mogadishu is not a Family Duty Station.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type:International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA 2 /ICS 10
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-ContractorAgreements.aspx
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.(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.
Background Information – UNOPS
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.
UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources. Working with us
UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe.
We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates. Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
Background information – AFR
Africa Region
Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the Africa Region supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.
AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.
Somalia Country Office:
UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners.
Through its involvement in Somalia’s development process, UNOPS is providing transparent and accountable solutions in the country’s state and nation-building process. In addition, UNOPS is also committed to implementing the United Nations Strategic Framework Somalia 2017 – 2020, with the aim of helping Somalia achieve the
Sustainable Development Goals. UNOPS work within the context of these commitments means that the projects it implements in Somalia are specifically designed to provide long-term solutions in the country, leading to sustainable and inclusive growth.
What drives us is a passion to fight inequalities and to provide opportunities to those most vulnerable. This means we often work in the most challenging environments, building foundations for communities to function and people to live with dignity and respect.
To succeed here, he/she need to be able to combine creativity with the organisational skills to manage numerous different projects to tight deadlines simultaneously, as well as working with the different units to meet their expectations.