This is a pivotal temporary leadership role designed to navigate and manage complex organizational change. The position requires a seasoned professional adept at operational management and change management. You will serve as the Director's trusted operational partner, ensuring that IPMG teams remain focused, supported, and effective during a period of significant structural overhaul.
**THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL UNOPS CANDIDATES ONLY.**
This assignment may be considered a stretch assignment, with the possibility of returning to the original position upon completion, subject to the agreement of the releasing office.
The Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) is currently undergoing a comprehensive structural reorganization to better align with the strategic goals of UNOPS and adapt to a changing global delivery model. To ensure business continuity and steady leadership during this transitional phase, the temporary role of Deputy Director (ai) has been established for a 6-month, non-extendable duration only.
Reporting directly to the Director, Infrastructure & Project Management (a.i), the Deputy Director (a.i) provides critical day-to-day operational support and oversees the seamless functioning of cross-practice teams. The incumbent acts as a stabilizing force, supporting the Director in managing operational priorities, and guiding the workforce through the uncertainties associated with the restructuring process.
The Deputy Director (a.i) supports the Director (a.i) by taking charge of key day-to-day operational matters across all teams. The role acts as a primary operational hinge and change management anchor, ensuring continuous service delivery while simultaneously guiding the IPMG workforce through a complex restructuring process. Core responsibilities include:
Day-to-Day Operational Leadership: Overseeing the routine operations of IPMG practice areas, technical teams, and support teams to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality service delivery.
Restructuring and Change Management Support: Acting as a central pillar of support for the IPMG team during the overhaul, addressing concerns, ensuring clear communication, and mitigating the disruptive impacts of structural changes.
Cross-Team Coordination: Fostering collaboration, resolving operational bottlenecks, and ensuring alignment across various units within IPMG.
Strategic Partnership with the Director: Acting as the Director's delegate on operational matters, enabling the Director to focus on high-level strategic alignment and corporate relations.
1. Operational Management and Day-to-Day Support
Operational oversight: Direct and manage the daily operational workflows across IPMG's various teams and practice areas, ensuring targets are met despite the ongoing organizational changes.
Troubleshooting: Proactively identify and resolve operational bottlenecks, acting as the first point of escalation for internal team challenges and resource constraints.
Resource allocation: Support the Director in the agile deployment and management of personnel and financial resources to maintain business continuity during the transition.
2. Change Management and Restructuring Leadership
Team support and stabilization: Provide strong, empathetic leadership to guide the IPMG team through a difficult and protracted restructure, actively managing team morale, reducing anxiety, and fostering resilience.
Change communication: Ensure transparent, consistent, and timely communication regarding the overhaul process, translating high-level restructuring decisions into clear operational impacts for the staff.
Process continuity: Ensure that legacy processes are smoothly transitioned, retired, or adapted without causing service disruption to regional hubs and country offices.
3. Cross-Functional Coordination and Integration
Silo reduction: Drive cross-practice collaboration across Project Management, Infrastructure, Grants & Funds Management, and Sustainability units to ensure a cohesive service offering.
Hub alignment: Maintain robust daily communication with regional technical hubs to ensure they remain fully supported and integrated with HQ operations during the structural transition.
4. Strategic Advisory and Risk Management
Advisory to the Director: Provide the Director with real-time operational insights, risk assessments, and strategic recommendations on how to adjust the restructuring approach based on team feedback and operational realities.
Risk mitigation: Identify operational, reputational, and delivery risks stemming from the overhaul and rapidly implement mitigation strategies.