Director, Multi-Country Office

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) is an operational arm of the United Nations, established to help implement projects and provide services in support of the UN's mission. Founded in 1999, UNOPS operates in over 80 countries, employing more than 1,000 personnel. The organization focuses on sustainable infrastructure, project management, and capacity building, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected settings. UNOPS aims to advance national priorities through strategic initiatives in various sectors, including health, infrastructure, and climate action, thereby contributing to improved quality of life for communities.

Job Overview:
The Director of the Multi-Country Office (MCO) is a senior leadership position responsible for overseeing the operations and delivery of services across multiple countries in Central Africa. This role involves strategic planning, partnership building, and ensuring that UNOPS meets its objectives in collaboration with national governments and international partners. The MCO Director will lead a diverse team, fostering an inclusive work environment while ensuring accountability and high standards of conduct. The position requires a strong focus on results, with the Director expected to drive organizational impact through effective management of resources and stakeholder engagement. The role also includes representing UNOPS at high-level meetings and advocating for the organization's competencies in project service delivery.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• People Leadership: Foster a culture of trust, empowerment, and accountability across the MCO. Promote diversity and inclusion, ensuring the highest standards of conduct are observed. Plan and manage a diverse workforce to optimize performance.
• Multi-Country Office Portfolio Management: Develop and implement the MCO strategy, establish priorities, and manage operational risks. Oversee project proposals and ensure timely delivery of services.
• Alliance Building: Identify and plan areas for leveraging UNOPS services with national governments and partners. Strengthen strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy.
• Service Delivery: Ensure timely and cost-effective delivery of the MCO portfolio, maintaining financial sustainability and compliance with UNOPS standards.
• Representation: Represent UNOPS in inter-agency meetings and contribute to UNCT initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.
• Risk Management: Drive informed decisions and champion risk management practices within the MCO.
• Knowledge Management: Lead innovation and capacity building initiatives, sharing best practices and lessons learned across the organization.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 12 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with 10 years of relevant experience is required.
• Relevant experience in strategic and managerial leadership in public affairs, management, or business development in a large corporate or international organization is essential.
• Experience in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in developing countries is desired, along with experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree or higher in any discipline. A Master’s degree is preferred, particularly for those with less than 12 years of relevant experience. The educational background should support the strategic and managerial responsibilities of the role, emphasizing leadership and operational management.

Experience:
Candidates should have significant experience in strategic and managerial leadership roles, particularly in public affairs, management, or business development within large organizations. Experience working in multicultural environments or within the UN system in developing countries is highly desirable. Familiarity with development or humanitarian contexts will be an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English and French is required for this position. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders across the region.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified at the Executive Level (D-1) and is a full-time staff position under the UNOPS framework. The contract type is Fixed-Term Appointment (FTA) with ongoing duration. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from a wide range of candidates. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, and background checks are conducted for all final candidates. Applications must be submitted before the deadline of 18-Nov-2026, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments.