Functional Responsibilities

• Under the direct supervision of the CDOH Director, seconded by the Head of Programme, the Senior Programme Manager is responsible to read all project initiation documents (PID), Legal and Financial Agreements and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the projects products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client. Success of the project(s) and hence of the Senior Programme Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.
• The Senior Programme Manager oversees the programme/project portfolio of the country of Cameroon and is expected to manage one or more highly complex or risky multidisciplinary project(s) delivering against an aggressive timeline.  Project(s) of this caliber are highly strategic and visible for UNOPS. The Senior Programme manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle which he/she manages.
• S/he must be able to perform the below duties and responsibilities :

1. Stakeholder Management : 

• Represent UNOPS on Project Boards
• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders (Government, Donors/Funders, national beneficiaries);
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products;
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance);
• Providing advice and guidance on specific and general project management issues and where appropriate rule of law and police related project support;
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board and the project(s).

2. Delivery and Performance :

• Provide senior-level strategic advice for empowering leadership by the UNOPS Cameroon Office and continued enhancements of the vision and strategies pursued for Cameroon by the UNOPS CDOH Hub Office;
• Oversee the country office programme’s projects effectively;
• Oversees  project plans;
• Advise the Project Board and supervisor of any deviations from the plan(s);
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers;
• Identify, develop, and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor;
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor.
• Manage budgets efficiently;

3. Procedures :

• Ensures all UNOPS rules and regulations are adhered to

4. Knowledge Management :

• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies;
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format;
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

5. Personnel Management :

• Lead and motivate the programme and project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the supervisor;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
• Perform the Programme Leader role and that of Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s);
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.
• Align with gender parity goals;

6. Monitoring and Progress Controls :

• Ensure that the project produces the required products/services within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Programme Manager is also responsible for the project(s) producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Project Document(s). Contribute to the overall project(s) targets and needs.

Qualifications and Experience : 

a. Education 

• Master's Degree in Project Management, International Business Administration, Civil Engineering and/or Architecture, International Development Practice or other relevant discipline is required.
• Bachelor's Degree in Project Management,  International Business Administration, International Development Practice, Civil Engineering and/or Architecture or other relevant discipline with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience in may be accepted in lieu of the Master's Degree.

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive experience in programme/project management and or combination of both in either public or private sector organizations is required.
• At least two (2) experiences in public infrastructure development (construction, rehabilitation) especially in the Water and Sanitation (WASH) & Environmental sectors to include waste management experience is required.
• At least three (3) years Team Leader/ Management experience/skills is required.
• Experience in programme and/or project development with a focus on training, and coordination in either public or private sector organizations is an advantage.
• Previous experience in the implementation of complex sector-wide programme will be highly distinct.
• Previous experience with UNOPS or a UN Agency is an advantage.
• Experience/knowledge of web-based applications and Google Suite products, especially google forms, sheets, docs and slides is an asset.

c. Language requirement

• Fluent in French is required
• Fluent in English is required