Head of Programme (Internal Candidates Only)
United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
P4 Mid-level Professional Full-time Internationallly Recruited Closing soon: 31 Oct 2025
East and Southern Africa Multi Country Office (ESAMCO):
The ESAMCO is responsible for developing, delivering, managing and implementing a growing portfolio of projects and/ or programmes spread across multiple countries. At UNOPS, office portfolio size is determined by a mix of internal and external drivers, including count and value of engagements, personnel headcount, security- and project-related risks, and prevailing humanitarian and geo-political contexts.
The ESAMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of organizational processes and quality standards across all of the countries served by the Office, including the country where the MCO is based.The Role:
The Head of Programme (HoP) reports directly to the ESAMCO Director who provides direction and general supervision.
The HoP is responsible for programme development planning and preparation and for managing all stages of programming to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility.
The HoP is a leadership role which contributes to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.Summary of key results:
Programme governance, implementation and monitoring
Programme development and planning
Manage programme resources
Partnership networking and advocacy
Knowledge management and innovation
Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the ESAMCO Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.
Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely delivery and client-oriented services.
Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, agreed quality standards, approved budget and full cost recovery, and in line with signed Legal Agreements
Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) and its set up, to ensure that project management governance, policies, processes and methods are complied with and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.
Ensure proactive programme and project risk identification and assessment and implementation of adequate mitigation measures.
Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.
Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.
Support the ESAMCO Director in ensuring the financial sustainability of the programme and delivery of desired results, compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.
Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the ESAMCO Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.
Analyse and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the ESAMCO Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.
Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).
Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the ESAMCO Director.
Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonisation of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.
Act as the Gender Focal Point for the Multi Country Office, assume accountability for the Gender Mainstreaming in the Country Office/Multi Country Office, including Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan being actioned and timely implemented, as well as ensuring that the office has required gender mainstreaming capacity and knowledge, and that gender is mainstreamed into relevant projects, programs, and processes.
Plan and propose to the Country ESAMCO Director, required programme resources (human and financial).
Compile from the Project Managers, monitor and submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and Multi Country Office financial goals.
Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within UN mandate and spirit.
Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.
Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams.
Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.
Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.
Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys.
Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.
Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.
Work closely with the partnership unit to ensure and facilitate the capture of lessons learnt from programme and project implementation into new opportunities and engagement development, as well as the adequate identification of risks and mitigation measures.
Contribute to current and future growth plans for the Multi Country Office, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS Strategic Plan.
Support Communication Specialists to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable projects results.
At the request of the Multi Country Office Director participate and/or represent the Multi Country Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered.
Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.
Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.
Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.
Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.
| 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. |
| 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. |
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.
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.
Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya is a Family Duty Station.
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.
