Senior Programme Manager

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS, the United Nations Office for Project Services, is a self-financing entity of the United Nations that provides project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to a variety of partners, including UN agencies, governments, and other organizations. Established to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects, UNOPS operates in over 80 countries with a workforce of more than 7,000 personnel. The organization aims to enhance the ability of the United Nations and its partners to manage projects and deliver sustainable solutions efficiently. UNOPS is committed to operational excellence and high performance, ensuring that its operations align with organizational goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Manager is responsible for overseeing all stages of programming and implementation within the Papua New Guinea (PNG) portfolio. This role involves providing strategic guidance and support to the Country Manager in program development, planning, and preparation. The incumbent will manage programmatic advice, resource management, coordination, and strategic stakeholder engagement, while also addressing risks and issues that may arise during project execution. The position requires a deep understanding of complex project planning, especially in infrastructure, and the ability to manage stakeholder expectations effectively. The Senior Programme Manager will ensure that all projects deliver on their outputs and outcomes, are fully resourced, and comply with UNOPS guidelines and funders' agreements. This role is pivotal in maintaining communication with stakeholders and ensuring that project implementation progresses smoothly and transparently.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Programme Management: Provide strategic oversight and implementation guidance across the portfolio, ensuring compliance with funding agreements and UNOPS policies. Identify risks and performance issues while enhancing portfolio-wide improvements. Oversee work planning, performance monitoring, and reporting, ensuring quality and timeliness of management information. Supervise implementation arrangements and allocate resources efficiently across projects. Engage with government counterparts and development partners to facilitate issue resolution and enhance project efficiency. Monitor project outputs and delivery, escalating critical issues to the Country Manager as necessary.
• Implementation, Oversight, and Reporting: Provide portfolio-level oversight of operational and financial performance, identifying risks and deviations from approved plans. Ensure robust programme information management and reporting, aligning with UNOPS and funder requirements. Maintain regular coordination with the Country Manager on implementation progress and advise on material deviations.
• Risk Management: Oversee portfolio risk management frameworks, ensuring accurate risk registers and timely reporting of emerging risks.
• Stakeholder Relationship Management: Support the Country Manager in managing relationships with funders, government, and other stakeholders. Lead engagement with contributors to strengthen partnerships and ensure alignment with programme objectives.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation: Lead knowledge management initiatives, capturing lessons learned and promoting best practices across the portfolio.
• Personnel Management: Line manage Project Managers, providing strategic leadership and guidance to ensure alignment with programme goals.
• Accountability for Results: Uphold accountability and transparency standards across the portfolio, identifying systemic issues and escalating concerns as needed.
• Excellence: Drive innovation and operational excellence, ensuring that lessons learned inform continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field. A first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) with five additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Proven track record with at least 7 years of experience in designing and/or supervising projects.
• Experience in managing complex infrastructure projects across sectors such as health, energy, education, or WASH is desired.
• Experience in generating and reviewing high-quality technical reports is preferred.
• Relevant work experience in implementing complex infrastructure projects in remote locations is an asset.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a subject relevant to the position. Alternatively, a first university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the relevant fields, combined with five additional years of relevant experience, may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 7 years of experience in designing and supervising projects, with at least 5 years in the development sector managing complex infrastructure projects. Additionally, a minimum of 4 years of experience in supervising Project Managers is required. Experience in generating and reviewing high-quality technical reports is desired, along with a proven track record in implementing complex infrastructure projects in remote locations.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position. Proficiency in other languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as a Senior Level role (ICS 11) and is offered as an ongoing contract under the ICA - IICA - Regular contract type. The application deadline is set for 07-Oct-2026, and candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before this date. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups. The organization maintains a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, and background checks are conducted for all final candidates.