Head of Programme

About the Region

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions.

HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Job Specific Context

The role contributes to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners. In addition, the role is expected to engage proactively in UN Country Team meetings and interagency management groups (UNSDCF), providing input and support to initiatives that enhance coherence, coordination, and collaborative efforts across agencies.

Role Purpose

The Head of Programme (HoP) reports directly to the Multi-Country or Country Office Director, who provides direction and general supervision.  The incumbent is responsible for programme development planning and preparation, and for managing all stages of programming to achieve results in the area/s of responsibility. The HoP is a leadership role which contributes to the development and implementation of strategies to enhance the competencies and position of UNOPS in sustainable project management and services to partners, stakeholders and UN system partners.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Programme Governance, Implementation and Monitoring 

• Accept responsibility for project portfolio oversight as delegated by the Director and through the role of Project Executive on Project Boards.

• Establish and execute the programme implementation plans in collaboration with the team and partners, including setting objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely delivery and client-oriented services.

• Monitor and supervise the timely and cost-effective implementation of the programme according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, agreed quality standards, approved budget and full cost recovery, and in line with signed Legal Agreements

• Supervise the Programme Management Office (PMO) and its set-up, to ensure that project management governance, policies, processes and methods are complied with and practiced according to the UNOPS standards, best project management practices are promoted, and overall assurance of projects is provided.

• Ensure proactive programme and project risk identification and assessment, and implementation of adequate mitigation measures.

• Mentor and assist Project Managers in planning, execution and delivery of allocated projects, ensuring incorporation of best practice project management processes.

• Facilitate timely and accurate project tracking, analysis of outputs, and reporting.

2. Programme Development and Planning

• Lead and guide the development for the entire MCO strategy establish priorities and oversee the implementation of the portfolio, managing the operational risks associated with the MCO portfolio of engagements.

• Support the Director in ensuring the financial sustainability of the programme and delivery of desired results, compliance with organisational strategies, rules, regulations and standards of performance.

• Submit mandated reports and critical issues to the Director and clients, to drive future process improvement and business development planning.

• Analyze and keep abreast of political and development trends in the geographical area, to identify and propose to the Director areas for UNOPS engagement and support based on priorities in the relevant geography, strategic areas of focus and comparative advantage.

• Manage and oversee the preparation of programme documents (including business cases/strategies, policy briefs, programme plans and risk assessments).

• Ensure the accurate and timely completion of programme/business recommendations for the review and approval of the Director.

• Consult and collaborate with internal and external colleagues and partners to ensure linkages, consistency, and harmonisation of approaches and compliance with guidelines, framework and standards of accountability, integrity and performance.

• Act as the Gender Focal Point for the Office, assume accountability for the Gender Mainstreaming in the Country Office/Multi Country Office, including the Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan being actioned and timely implemented, as well as ensuring that the office has the required gender mainstreaming capacity and knowledge, and that gender is mainstreamed into relevant projects, programs, and processes

3. Manage Programme Resources 

• Keep abreast and assess the needs of national governments and other UNOPS partners operating in the geographical coverage area, to identify and plan with them areas for leveraging UNOPS services/competencies in project service delivery and management that will facilitate their achievement of sustainable results.

• Plan and propose the required programme resources (human and financial) to the Director.

• Compile from the Project Managers, monitor and submit revenue and expenditure forecasts based on UNOPS and Office financial goals.

• Determine pricing strategies based on UNOPS pricing policy and models to ensure an appropriate balance between revenue and development capacity within the UN mandate and spirit.

• Manage programme resources in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework and financial sustainability.

• Plan, recruit, manage and develop programme personnel/technical experts with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance and encourage the formation of diverse teams.

• Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing the programme team with clear direction, objectives and guidance to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

• Plan, conduct and/or respond to UNOPS performance evaluation reviews and surveys

4. Partnerships, Networking and Advocacy 

• Build and strengthen strategic partnerships through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management.

• Support the business development function by identifying and developing new business and partnership/customer opportunities.

• Work closely with the partnership unit to ensure and facilitate the capture of lessons learnt from programme and project implementation into new opportunities and engagement development, as well as the adequate identification of risks and mitigation measures.

• Contribute to current and future growth plans for the Office, ensuring alignment with the UNOPS Strategic Plan.

• Support Communication Specialists to develop communication strategies to maximise communication impact and outreach and build awareness of UNOPS goals and competencies to reinforce UNOPS competitive edge as a provider of sustainable project results.

• At the request of the Director, participate and/or represent the Office in inter-agency discussions and planning to ensure UNOPS position, interests and priorities are fully considered

5. Risk Management 

• Drive high-quality, well-informed decisions that align with organizational goals for effective and measurable outcomes to the regional assessment exercise for UN Resident Coordinators.

• Ensure corporate reporting, information flow and appropriate escalation of awareness of emerging risks and topics.

• Champion risk management through a ‘tone at the top’ leadership approach, promoting alignment with applicable standards and policies.

• Manage risks proactively and address issues effectively, seeking timely responses and escalation of key residual exposures – in alignment with the organization’s risk-taking approach and enterprise risk management requirements

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Keep abreast of and incorporate best practices, approaches and technology to enhance the programme delivery and results.

• Operationalise and share best practices and lessons learned for corporate development planning and knowledge building.

• Draft policy papers and/or recommend policy changes to align operations with changing environments.

• Lead the planning, implementation and organization of strategic capacity building of personnel, clients and stakeholders within the programme.

Skills

Capacity Building, Innovation Management, Organizational Leadership, Portfolio Management, Resource Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Thinking.

Education Requirements

Required

• Master’s Degree (or equivalent) in Project Management, Public Administration, Social Science, and/or other related discipline with 10 years of relevant experience is required. OR

• Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent) in Project Management, Public Administration, Social Science, and/or other related discipline with 12 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• PRINCE2® Foundation/Practitioner is an asset.

• Programme/Project Management Professional (MSP® or PMI-PgMP/PMI-PMP) is an asset.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in strategic and managerial leadership within public affairs, including oversight of complex portfolios such as infrastructure and large, multi-sector projects. Experience should include business development planning, operational management, and leading cross-functional initiatives within large corporate or international organizations, or in closely related environments.
• A minimum of four (4) years working in a PMO environment is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in establishing and managing complex partnerships, including bilaterals with governments or other UN entities, is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Language Requirements

Language	Proficiency Level	Requirement
English	Fluent	Required