Portfolio Senior Manager - Recovery, Preparedness and Mine Action Unit

Lead a strategic and high-impact portfolio driving recovery, preparedness, and mine action initiatives in Ukraine and Eastern Europe. This role offers the opportunity to shape large-scale programmes, strengthen institutional capacity, and deliver sustainable solutions in a dynamic, post-conflict environment while engaging with key national, international, and donor stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead the management and performance of the Recovery, Preparedness and Mine Action portfolio in line with UEMCO strategic priorities.
• Translate agreed office priorities into actionable portfolio plans, delivery priorities, and performance targets.
• Provide strategic inputs to the Head of Programme and senior management on opportunities, risks, and portfolio performance issues.
• Oversee projects and programmes supporting national recovery, preparedness, institutional strengthening, and mine action objectives through Project Managers and technical teams.
• Ensure compliance with relevant standards, due diligence requirements, safety measures, and quality controls.
• Ensure appropriate governance, delivery arrangements, and financial oversight are maintained across the portfolio in accordance with project agreements and UNOPS requirements.
• Review portfolio and project performance, assess constraints, and ensure timely corrective action and escalation of risks to UEMCO management and/or Project Boards where required.
• Maintain effective working relationships with government counterparts and relevant stakeholders within the Unit’s delegated thematic space.
• Identify and support opportunities where recovery, preparedness, and mine action interventions can advance recovery outcomes, institutional readiness, and economic activity.
• Provide technical leadership and operational inputs to PPSU-led opportunity identification, programme development and pipeline management processes within the Unit’s delegated thematic responsibilities.
• Provide inputs to concept notes, proposals, briefings, and partner solutions in collaboration with relevant UEMCO teams, including PPSU as appropriate.
• Support early-stage project preparation, feasibility analysis, costing, implementation readiness, and strategic assessment of opportunities.
• Oversee preparation and issuance of portfolio and project reporting in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements.
• Review portfolio and project status against agreed performance criteria including scope, cost, schedule, quality, and results.
• Ensure Project Managers maintain required reporting, delivery tracking, and milestone management across the project lifecycle.
• Support audit activities, including planning, coordination, and follow-up on observations and recommendations.
• Maintain effective working relationships with relevant counterparts, donors, UN entities, IFIs, and technical partners under the guidance of senior management and in coordination with PPSU where partnership, donor or programme development issues arise.
• Support strategic engagement and technical representation through effective communication of UNOPS capabilities, delivery performance, and portfolio priorities.
• Represent UNOPS in relevant coordination mechanisms, technical fora and external engagements, as specifically delegated by senior management and in coordination with PPSU and Communications where donor, partnership or institutional messaging issues arise.
• Coordinate with relevant UEMCO units, particularly PPSU, on partnerships, programme development, and external engagement matters.
• Monitor delivery progress, pipeline actions, financial performance, and results across the portfolio.
• Ensure compliance with UNOPS rules, donor requirements, security protocols, and quality standards.
• Coordinate corrective actions where delivery constraints or bottlenecks arise.
• Promote lessons learned, evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and partner confidence through effective governance and performance oversight.
• Ensure timely reporting, visibility of results, and escalation of material risks and issues where required.
• Promote the incorporation of relevant practices, approaches, and technologies to strengthen portfolio delivery and results.
• Oversee lessons learned processes and ensure lessons, good practices, and delivery experience are captured, shared, and reflected in future planning and implementation.
• Ensure Project Managers maintain appropriate knowledge management and lessons learned practices throughout the project lifecycle.
• Encourage effective capacity building, knowledge sharing, and participation in relevant Communities of Practice.
• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policies and guidance to support continuous improvement.
• Manage staffing structures, consultants, budgets, and operational resources across the Unit.
• Lead, supervise, and support Project Managers, technical personnel, and other team members to promote high performance, accountability, and collaboration.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and respectful working environment and ensure the highest standards of conduct are maintained.
• Promote teamwork, diversity, and effective people management through timely guidance, coaching, and performance oversight.
• Create, foster, and role-model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment, and sexual exploitation and abuse.

Requirements

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, or a related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience is required; OR a first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in International Development, Public Administration, Economics, Political Science, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, or a related field, with a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
• Minimum seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme, portfolio, or project leadership.
• Experience in crisis, post-conflict, or recovery contexts.
• Experience engaging government counterparts, partners, and institutional stakeholders.
• PRINCE 2 Foundation or equivalent is desirable.
• Experience in Ukraine, Eastern Europe, or comparable operating contexts is desirable.
• Experience in mine action, recovery infrastructure, resilience systems, preparedness, or specialized technical sectors is desirable.
• Fluent proficiency in English is required.

Skills

• Programme Leadership
• Portfolio Management
• Project Leadership
• Crisis Management
• Post Conflict Recovery
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Government Relations
• Mine Action Management
• Recovery Infrastructure
• Resilience Systems
• Preparedness Planning
• International Development
• Public Administration
• Economic Analysis
• Political Science
• Urban Planning
• Social Sciences
• PRINCE2 Foundation Certification

Languages

English