Background Information – Job-specific

 

South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises eight business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

Background Information – Philippines

Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organizations to improve access to justice of marginalized groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU. In the health sector, UNOPS works with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law, and governance sectors.

Project Background Information – GoJUST II

Building on the success of GoJUST I, the EU in partnership with UNOPS and British Council supports the five-year (2020-2025) Justice Sector Reform Programme: Governance in Justice II (GoJUST II). This project aims to strengthen the Rule of Law through a two-pronged approach by combining improved administration of justice and enhanced promotion and protection of human rights. GoJUST II will build on the experiences and lessons learned from the work done in the previous GoJUST I and previous EU-Philippines Justice Support Programmes in the sector.

Since its implementation in December 2020, GoJUST II has made great strides to advance justice reforms and improve justice services in the Philippines. It remains the country’s leading justice sector reform program. In line with the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028, GoJUST has continued to partner with the key justice actors (Supreme Court, Department of Justice, Department of Interior and Local Government and Civil Society Organizations, and Academe) to implement critical reforms and improvements in the justice sector in the past three years.

GOJUST II seeks to achieve four major result areas, as follows:

Result 1 – Justice sector coordination mechanisms are improved

Result 2 – Strengthened institutional efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of justice services

Result 3 – Increased access to the justice system for vulnerable groups, including women

Result 4 – Justice policy and practice is informed by evidence and responds to justice needs

UNOPS is one of the implementing partners of GOJUST II under Indirect Management and is responsible for the provision of logistical and administrative support, which includes the organization of training, workshops, seminars, and study tours; procurement of goods and services; small works; grants management and communication and visibility.

Role Specific:

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the incumbent will conduct the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) and capacity assessments and facilitate planning to strengthen the IPs’ capacities on project management. Incumbent will also monitor the implementation of the IPs’ plans during project implementation and recommend appropriate actions to address issues and/or mitigation measures, to address risks.

The incumbent will make use of UNOPS’ grants support framework, Capacity assessment and PSEA assessment and planning tools, reporting templates and processes to assess and come up with recommendations on 2 levels: (1) to the potential grantee or implementing partner, so that they can improve their policy and practise in project management; and (2) to the Grants Evaluation Team, for the grant award process and project implementation.

The following are the major areas in the organization’s policy and practice that the incumbent will assess and provide recommendations to ensure that risks are mitigated and issues are addressed:

1. Implementing partner and governance particularly on legal status, track record, and pending legal actions,
2. Organizational structure and human resource particularly recruitment and staffing,
3. Project and programme management – work plans and risk management and monitoring and evaluation, and Cross-cutting themes – Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and abuse, human rights, Health, Safety, Security and Environment (HSSE), fraud and conflict of interest identification and prevention.

 

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager and in coordination with the Programme Management Officer (Grant Management), the incumbent for Organizational Capacity Assessment will be performing the following core functions and specific tasks:

1. Review of the grantee application documents – proposals, GET evaluation report, and other documentation, as part of the preparation for the due diligence visits,

2. Identify key areas/focus of due diligence assessment and validation based on the results of the Self-completed Due Diligence Assessment (DDA) submission of the potential grantees in consultation with UNOPS Grants Management Support Team.

3. Team up with the Consultant for Finance to design and agree on a programme for the DDA validation,

4. Conduct the DDA validation visit (may be virtual or face to face) together with the Consultant for Finance, based on an agreed schedule with the potential grantee. The Consultant should use appropriate qualitative and quantitative methods, including interviews, document review and analysis and direct observations during the DDA visit,

5. Analyze and rate the grantee’s capacity based on the self-filled assessment tool and actual DDA and provide specialist recommendations to the grantee to improve or strengthen policy and practise.

6. Communicate to the potential grantee the assessment results including recommendations,

7. Submit a narrative report of the capacity assessment conducted per grantee within five (5) working days upon conclusion of the DDA including recommendations in the following areas:

• improvements in the key areas of the potential grantee that were assessed,
• whether to support the grantee or not, and on
• improving the DDA standard (“running”) questions and reporting tool

8. Attend a debriefing session with the Grants Management Support Team to discuss the results of the DDA and areas in the DDA that can be improved.

Competencies

 

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.

 

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Advanced Degree (Master’s) or equivalent in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Management, Organizational Development, or related fields is required.

• A Bachelor degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Management, Organizational Development or related field in combination with an additional 2 years relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master degree.

• Computer Literacy, G Suite or similar platforms is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in conducting Due Diligence Assessment, organizational development and management, social audits and/or assessments in the development sector is required.

• Some experience in program/project management is preferred.

• Experience in working with CSOs in building their capacity is desirable.

Language:

• Fluency in English is strongly required.
• Fluency in Filipino Language is required.
• Knowledge of other Philippine Regional dialects is desirable.

 

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA) Retainer
Contract level: ICS-09 / LICA-09
Contract duration: Twelve (12) month Retainer contract with the maximum of 100 working days.

NOTE:

• The selection of the candidate will be done through a desk review process.
• The application will be reviewed on on-going basis during the application period
• The selected candidate shall perform in this role as a Retainer
• A retainer contract is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor are required intermittently.

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.