Deputy Director

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations body established to provide infrastructure, procurement, and project management services. Its mission is to deliver practical solutions that facilitate project execution and respond to urgent needs. Over the past three decades, UNOPS has played a significant role in improving living conditions and promoting peace and sustainable development in various countries. In Guatemala, UNOPS has been active since 1997, focusing on strengthening local institutions and addressing a range of complex projects, including those related to health, infrastructure, and public administration. As of 2024, UNOPS has been identified as a key partner by the newly elected government to support the implementation of its Government Plan, which emphasizes fair public management and modernization of health procurement and infrastructure systems. UNOPS is involved in significant programs with various ministries, making Guatemala one of its largest operational countries.

Job Overview:
The director" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Deputy Director of UNOPS in Guatemala is a pivotal role that supports the Director in executing strategic initiatives and ensuring operational continuity. This position is crucial for advancing strategic planning, coordinating with senior stakeholders, developing portfolios, and overseeing programs to ensure impactful delivery. The Deputy Director will engage in high-level interactions with national authorities, including the President and Ministers, and will act as the primary backup to the Director, taking on leadership responsibilities as needed. The role also involves leading the Project Management Office (PMO) and the infrastructure unit, ensuring adherence to UNOPS standards and fostering partnerships with national and international entities to align with governmental priorities and national development goals. The Deputy Director will report directly to the Country Director and is essential for maintaining UNOPS' strategic partnership with the Guatemalan government.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Deputy Director's responsibilities encompass several key areas:

• Strategic Leadership and Representation: Supporting the Director in high-level engagements with national authorities and facilitating coordination with national institutions and international partners. Acting as the principal backup to the Director and providing strategic support in initiatives aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and sustainable development.
• Programme & Portfolio Management: Overseeing the PMO to ensure best practices in project management, supervising the Infrastructure Unit for technical excellence, and ensuring smooth operations within the Guatemala country office. This includes developing and implementing program plans, monitoring implementation, identifying risks, mentoring Project Managers, and ensuring financial sustainability.
• Portfolio Development: Building and strengthening strategic partnerships through networking and advocacy, supporting business development, and contributing to growth plans for the Country Office.
• Knowledge Management and Innovation: Keeping abreast of best practices and incorporating them into program delivery, operationalizing lessons learned, and leading capacity-building initiatives for personnel and stakeholders. The Deputy Director's effective performance directly impacts program results and enhances UNOPS' visibility as a service provider in project management.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) with ten years of relevant experience, or a First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) with twelve years of relevant experience. A minimum of ten years of experience in strategic and managerial leadership within international development, business development, operations, or program management is required. At least two years of senior leadership experience, including supervising senior staff and managing financial sustainability, is essential. Relevant experience at UNOPS is advantageous, as is experience partnering with the public sector on high-relevance projects. Experience managing a country office and working in developing countries, particularly in hardship or post-conflict environments, is desirable. Certifications in Project Management are preferred but not mandatory.

Educational Background:
An Advanced University degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) is required, or a First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) combined with extensive relevant experience. This educational background is essential to ensure that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to perform effectively in this senior role.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of ten years of experience that combines strategic and managerial leadership in international development, business development, operations, and/or program management within a large international or corporate organization. At least two years of senior leadership experience is required, which includes supervising senior professional staff and managing financial sustainability of operations. Experience at UNOPS is a distinctive advantage, as is experience in partnering with the public sector on significant national projects. Additionally, experience managing a country office and working in developing countries, especially in challenging environments, is desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both Spanish and English is required for this position. Proficiency in these languages is essential for effective communication with national authorities, stakeholders, and international partners, ensuring that the Deputy Director can fulfill their role in a bilingual context.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) at the P5/ICS 12 level, with an initial duration of one year, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. The organization is committed to creating an inclusive working environment and will provide reasonable accommodations for shortlisted candidates during the assessment process. UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised position if necessary. All personnel are expected to adhere to UNOPS policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks.