Project Management Support Senior Officer/Head of Development Partners Secretariat

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 workforce of over 6,000 personnel across 80 countries, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services to various governments, donors, and UN organizations. The organization is dedicated to maximizing the positive impact of its partners' projects, ensuring that they are grounded in values of equality, inclusiveness, sustainability, and resilience. UNOPS has been active in Sri Lanka since 2005, contributing to post-tsunami recovery and ongoing socio-economic development efforts, particularly in sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.

Job Overview:
The Senior Officer will serve as the Head of the Development Partners (DP) Secretariat, a senior-level position that requires strong relationship management, networking, and coordination skills. The role involves overseeing the coordination framework among various development partners, including bilateral and multilateral donors, and ensuring alignment with the Government of Sri Lanka's policies and strategies. The Senior Officer will manage the project aimed at strengthening donor coordination and coherence, facilitating dialogue among stakeholders, and promoting gender equality integration in development initiatives. The position reports to the UNOPS Head of Programme and requires collaboration with the DP Strategic Group Chair or Co-chairs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Effective relationship management: Coordinate regular engagement meetings with stakeholders and facilitate information-sharing mechanisms. Support joint planning initiatives among partners.
• Coordination of DP groups: Prepare workplans and monitor progress in line with objectives. Ensure effective planning and follow-up on DP Forum meetings.
• Information exchange: Act as a focal point for information among development partners and maintain a mapping of donor initiatives.
• Strategic coordination: Identify and analyze issues related to gender equality and disseminate information on government policies.
• Communication with GoSL: Establish engagement mechanisms with relevant ministries to support ODA initiatives.
• Engagement with civil society: Identify areas for closer communication with CSOs.
• Data management: Oversee data collection and analysis related to development and gender equality.
• Project implementation: Implement project workplans, manage contracts, monitor progress, and ensure compliance with UNOPS standards.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in social sciences, economics, political science, law, international relations, development studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with two additional years of relevant experience or a Secondary School Diploma with six additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Candidates should have a minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the development sector, particularly in roles involving relationship management and coordination. Experience with the UN or in an international environment is advantageous, as is experience in donor coordination and gender equality.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in relevant fields is required. A Bachelor's degree with additional experience or a Secondary School Diploma with extensive experience may also be considered. The educational background should align with the responsibilities of the position, emphasizing social sciences, economics, or development studies.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in the development sector is required. Candidates should have experience in roles that involve strong relationship management and coordination across various stakeholders. Previous work with the UN or in an international context is preferred, along with experience in donor coordination and gender equality initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of Sinhala or Tamil is highly desirable, as it would enhance communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The contract type is Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) at the Local ICA Specialist level (LICA 9). The contract duration is open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and underrepresented groups. Candidates should be aware that UNOPS conducts background checks and that recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks. Additionally, candidates may need to complete mandatory courses before starting their contract.