Institutional Strengthening Advisor

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects globally. With a mission to provide sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services, UNOPS operates in over 80 countries and employs more than 6,000 personnel. The organization is dedicated to delivering logistical, technical, and management expertise to its partners, ensuring effective project execution in various challenging environments. UNOPS is involved in approximately 1,000 projects at any given time, contributing significantly to development outcomes worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Institutional Strengthening Advisor will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of national and sub-national institutions responsible for transport infrastructure planning, implementation, and management. This position requires collaboration with government counterparts to identify institutional weaknesses and develop targeted interventions aimed at fostering a culture of continuous improvement. The Advisor will focus on building sustainable capacity within existing structures, promoting ownership and accountability, and ensuring that the interventions align with national development priorities. The role involves conducting comprehensive assessments, developing strategic action plans, and implementing systems for monitoring and evaluation to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, the Advisor will document lessons learned and best practices to facilitate knowledge sharing and replication across the sector.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Stakeholder Mapping and Engagement: Identify and map relevant institutions and stakeholders in the transport infrastructure sector, developing a stakeholder engagement plan for effective communication and collaboration.
• Institutional Diagnostic and Needs Assessment: Conduct a comprehensive diagnostic assessment of the institutional landscape to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.
• Strategy and Action Plan Development: Create a comprehensive institutional strengthening strategy and action plan with defined objectives, activities, timelines, and performance indicators.
• Implementation Support and Technical Assistance: Provide ongoing support and technical assistance to ensure effective implementation of the strategy.
• Performance Monitoring and Evaluation: Develop a system for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, tracking progress against key performance indicators.
• Knowledge Sharing and Dissemination: Document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices through knowledge products such as case studies and guidelines.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks to the implementation of the strategy and develop mitigation measures.
• Reporting: Prepare regular progress reports highlighting achievements, challenges, and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree (equivalent to a Master's Degree) in Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Engineering, or a related field is required. A Bachelor's degree in one of these areas may be accepted with a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in institutional strengthening, capacity building, or governance reform, preferably in the infrastructure sector.
• Proven experience in conducting institutional assessments and developing institutional strengthening strategies.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance and training to government agencies.
• Familiarity with public sector management principles and practices is an asset.
• Experience working in the Caribbean Region or similar developing country contexts is highly desirable.
• Experience with UNOPS or other UN agencies is an asset.
• Experience in projects with government institutions or international organizations is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University Degree (equivalent to a Master's Degree) in relevant fields such as Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Development Studies, Engineering, or a related discipline. A Bachelor's degree in one of these areas may be accepted, provided the candidate has a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in areas such as institutional strengthening, capacity building, or governance reform, with a preference for experience in the infrastructure sector. Candidates should have a proven track record in conducting institutional assessments and developing strategies for institutional strengthening, as well as experience in providing technical assistance and training to government agencies. Familiarity with public sector management principles and practices is advantageous, and experience in the Caribbean Region or similar developing contexts is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in another UN language would be considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified under the International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA) with a level designation of IICA 3/LICA 11 - ICS 1

• The contract duration is ongoing, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The role may involve both virtual and face-to-face interactions, including field trips to infrastructure works. UNOPS promotes work-life harmonization and offers flexible working options. The organization is committed to diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. Candidates are required to submit a cover letter detailing their motivation for joining UNOPS and their perspective on the organization's values.