Management Specialist (Change and Transformation) At UNOPS

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Role of the Change and Transformation Unit

In January 2023, UNOPS committed to a series of strategic and administrative reforms, including a reset of the organizational strategy. The role of the Change and Transformation Unit (CTU) is to work across UNOPS, to design and implement effective, sustainable solutions, to make a difference where it matters most.

CTU supports new possibilities for UNOPS by helping teams to innovate, finding new ways of working and developing/designing nimble organizational models. Our expertise, tools and processes ensure greater participation in change; we pay as much attention to people and processes, as we do to structures and technology.

Our team brings experience, energy and partnership to a full range of change management and transformation advisory services including: organization design, organizational development, design and implementation of corporate transformation programmes, facilitating changes to behavior and ways of working, human centered design and change leadership

Our team are all experienced change management consultants who can provide support around change leadership, managing change at all levels, coaching people leaders and/or managing change projects.

Role of the Management Specialist (Change and Transformation)

The Change Management Specialist reports to the Change Management Advisor, who provides board supervision and guidance. The position will play a key role in planning, managing and implementing critical change and transformation projects, working in a global role.

The ideal candidate will be a systems thinker, able to manage complexity, see connections and deliver real insights for our internal clients. They should be conversant with the transformational possibilities existing within digital technologies and able to identify and shape new opportunities in organizational practices, systems and structures.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Portfolio and project management

Implement management systems to ensure effective planning, monitoring, forecasting, tracking delivery and benefits realization for UNOPS change and transformation portfolio/projects.
Contribute to oversight, advice and direction on portfolio and project management activities.
Provide appropriate levels of portfolio management support for UNOPS organizational change and transformation activities.
Provide support to strengthen project governance structures and processes.
Produce and update project documentation including business cases, project plans, risk analysis, stakeholder analysis and communications plans.
Implement project plan and manage critical milestones for successful project delivery.

2. Change management and transformation

Perform quantitative and qualitative analytical analysis to support the design, development and roll out of UNOPS change management/organization design initiatives.
Undertake hypothesis-based consulting, practically applying innovation methodologies, such as Design Thinking and Business Model Design.
Partner with UNOPS managers to develop and roll out effective change management approaches, to realize the benefits of corporate change programmes.
Develop pragmatic solutions to accelerate the adoption of change initiatives, which are reflective of the needs and realities of UNOPS stakeholders at HQ, regional and country level.
Deliver change management work packages using project management methods, taking responsibility for overall progress, use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
Conduct post-implementation monitoring and follow-up

3. Stakeholder engagement

Manage project communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress and exceptions.
Advise internal clients on issues that may impact the achievement of the desired change outcomes.
Design and facilitate stakeholder workshops to deliver key change management products and increase the capacity for change management within project teams.
Establish solid working relationships with the project board and other key stakeholders, advising on issues that may impact the achievement of the desired change outcomes.
Develop change networks at the appropriate and relevant levels for change initiatives
Mentor and advise project teams, as well as junior change management resources.

4. Knowledge management

Contribute to the ongoing update of UNOPS Change Management framework and body of knowledge to ensure the organization is incorporating best practice approaches.
Support the development of the UNOPS change capability, leveraging learning techniques, talent management, innovation and knowledge management approaches.

The effective and successful performance by the Management Specialist reinforces the visibility and image of the UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

An advanced degree preferably in Economics, Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, or other related field.
A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
Professional Change Management certification (i.e. PROSCI, APMG or similar) is an asset.
Project Management certification (i.e. PRINCE2, MSP, MoP, PMI) is an asset.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years relevant experience in business transformation, change management, innovation, project management, organization development is required.
Within these 5 years, a minimum of 3 years project management experience including project planning, stakeholder management, risk analysis, monitoring and reporting is required.
Management consulting experience, within a consulting firm or corporate strategy or transformation team is an asset.
Experience in data-centric transformation projects including applying data modeling and quantitative analysis in a business context is an asset.
Strong experience creating written and visual consulting outputs (PowerPoint decks) is an asset.
Experience with Google Workplace, particularly Sheets and Slides is an asset.

Language Requirements: