Portfolio Specialist
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a vital partner in the global effort to achieve sustainable development. Established to provide project management, procurement, and infrastructure services, UNOPS operates in 23 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization focuses on building resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing, to improve quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management, aligning its interventions with national priorities to help countries advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Job Overview:
The Portfolio Specialist position is a critical opportunity for an experienced professional to significantly impact the strategic operations and project development of UNOPS in Argentina. This role involves providing expert advice, adapting policies, and leading initiatives in a dynamic environment, directly contributing to sustainable development goals and strengthening institutional capacities in the Southern Cone. The specialist will operate within the Multi-Country Office for the Southern Cone, focusing on providing strategic support for operations in Argentina and Uruguay. The position is essential for ensuring compliance with local regulatory best practices in infrastructure and public contracting, optimizing procurement processes, and effectively managing risks. The specialist will also drive project development, foster strategic partnerships, and contribute to the overall growth of the portfolio, adapting existing policies and approaches to meet the evolving needs of clients and projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Required Qualifications:
Required: A minimum of 5 years of experience (as per academic credentials) in managing complex projects at national and/or international levels and advising public and private entities. 2 years of experience in negotiating and drafting collaboration agreements and project proposals. Desirable: 2 years of experience in procurement processes and/or financial management in international organizations. Experience with UNOPS. Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Educational Background:
Required: A Master's degree or equivalent, preferably in International Relations, Business Administration (MBA), Political Science, International Development, Economics, Law, or a related field, or a Bachelor's degree in the aforementioned areas with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. Desirable: Certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or legal/regulatory areas.
Experience:
Required: A minimum of 5 years of experience (as per academic credentials) in managing complex projects at national and/or international levels and advising public and private entities. 2 years of experience in negotiating and drafting collaboration agreements and project proposals. Desirable: 2 years of experience in procurement processes and/or financial management in international organizations. Experience with UNOPS. Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Languages:
Language Proficiency Level Requirement: Spanish - Native - Required; English - Intermediate - Desirable.
Additional Notes:
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications, and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes. 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. 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.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a vital partner in the global effort to achieve sustainable development. Established to provide project management, procurement, and infrastructure services, UNOPS operates in 23 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. The organization focuses on building resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing, to improve quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management, aligning its interventions with national priorities to help countries advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Job Overview:
The Portfolio Specialist position is a critical opportunity for an experienced professional to significantly impact the strategic operations and project development of UNOPS in Argentina. This role involves providing expert advice, adapting policies, and leading initiatives in a dynamic environment, directly contributing to sustainable development goals and strengthening institutional capacities in the Southern Cone. The specialist will operate within the Multi-Country Office for the Southern Cone, focusing on providing strategic support for operations in Argentina and Uruguay. The position is essential for ensuring compliance with local regulatory best practices in infrastructure and public contracting, optimizing procurement processes, and effectively managing risks. The specialist will also drive project development, foster strategic partnerships, and contribute to the overall growth of the portfolio, adapting existing policies and approaches to meet the evolving needs of clients and projects.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Technical Advisory - Provide analysis" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">technical analysis and operational recommendations for implementing UNOPS operations in Argentina, facilitating compliance with infrastructure and public contracting regulations. Review, consolidate, and apply standard procurement, bidding, and contracting document models for operations and projects. Provide technical inputs for identifying and mitigating risks, supporting the monitoring of potential disputes with contractors and suppliers. Formulate recommendations for aligning UNOPS management with local administrative law best practices in procurement, infrastructure, and transparency.
- Project Management Support and Procurement Development - Contribute to operational monitoring and information gathering on project resource management. Implement strategies for effective project resource management. Coordinate and follow up on project procurement plans, ensuring compliance with applicable schedules and regulations. Participate and interact with UNOPS team members and advisors, attending meetings and coordinating technical activities for timely report delivery.
- Support for Partnership Development and Portfolio Growth - Prepare technical reports and substantive inputs to support the Head of Office and management team in strategic positioning and opportunity tracking. Participate in technical formulation, project proposal writing, budgeting, and collaboration agreement preparation. Continuously map partners and donors, identifying relevant regulatory contexts and preparing summary notes for business development. Adapt and contribute high-level inputs for preparing substantive summaries on specific partners and partnership opportunities. Advise offices on appropriate approaches to engage with non-traditional and strategic partners. Implement strategies to deepen and expand strategic commitments with partners, positioning UNOPS as a solutions organization. Contribute to portfolio development by advising on the formulation of new projects. Participate in inter-institutional discussions and planning to ensure consideration of UNOPS's position and priorities. Implement actions to build and strengthen internal alliances through active networks and effective communication. Advise, coordinate, and collaborate with program and project management staff and support teams to ensure interactions aligned with internal practices and partners.
- Knowledge Creation and Sharing - Apply and share relevant knowledge to improve operations and project development. Contribute to creating a knowledge-sharing culture within the organization.
Required Qualifications:
Required: A minimum of 5 years of experience (as per academic credentials) in managing complex projects at national and/or international levels and advising public and private entities. 2 years of experience in negotiating and drafting collaboration agreements and project proposals. Desirable: 2 years of experience in procurement processes and/or financial management in international organizations. Experience with UNOPS. Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Educational Background:
Required: A Master's degree or equivalent, preferably in International Relations, Business Administration (MBA), Political Science, International Development, Economics, Law, or a related field, or a Bachelor's degree in the aforementioned areas with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. Desirable: Certifications in Project Management (PMP, PRINCE2) or legal/regulatory areas.
Experience:
Required: A minimum of 5 years of experience (as per academic credentials) in managing complex projects at national and/or international levels and advising public and private entities. 2 years of experience in negotiating and drafting collaboration agreements and project proposals. Desirable: 2 years of experience in procurement processes and/or financial management in international organizations. Experience with UNOPS. Experience with International Financial Institutions (IFIs).
Languages:
Language Proficiency Level Requirement: Spanish - Native - Required; English - Intermediate - Desirable.
Additional Notes:
UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Late applications will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications, and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes. 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. 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.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.