Director, Country Office
Organizational Context
UNOPS operates in Latin America and the Caribbean across 23 countries, focusing on infrastructure, public health, and institutional capacity building to drive sustainable development and achieve SDGs. The Regional Director's Office in Panama City provides strategic leadership and coordination for the region, ensuring operational excellence and supporting country teams. The Panama Country Office manages projects in infrastructure, procurement, and capacity strengthening, requiring a leader to inspire diverse teams and ensure high-quality operations.
Job Purpose
The Country Office Director reports to the Regional Director and is responsible for managing all delivery and operations within the country office's scope. This includes leading liaison and engagement development activities, ensuring the timely and cost-effective delivery of services to partners and stakeholders for sustainable results. The role also involves representing UNOPS in the country on behalf of the Regional Director. The Director is expected to inspire and develop diverse teams, bringing operational discipline to coordinate large-scale activities, oversee complex deliveries, and maintain consistently high-quality operations, aligning with UNOPS' mandate and strategic goals.
Responsibilities
The Country Office Director is responsible for people leadership, fostering a culture of trust, empowerment, diversity, and inclusion, and ensuring adherence to the highest standards of conduct. This includes planning, recruiting, managing, and developing a diverse workforce. In portfolio management, the Director develops country office strategy, establishes priorities, oversees implementation, and manages operational risks. They lead the delivery of the UNOPS strategic plan through the annual plan, set objectives, monitor progress, and ensure timely, partner-oriented services. Resource allocation, financial control, and HSSE performance are also key responsibilities. The role involves alliance building, networking, and advocacy to strengthen partnerships and develop new engagements. Service delivery and quality assurance are critical, ensuring timely and cost-effective project execution according to partner expectations and financial sustainability. Representation and inter-agency coordination, including active participation in the UN Country Team, are essential. The Director champions risk management and leads knowledge management and innovation initiatives to incorporate best practices and enhance service delivery.
Work Experience
Requires strategic and managerial leadership experience in public affairs, management, business development planning, and operations within a large corporate or international organization. Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean, multicultural environments, UN system organizations, or development/humanitarian contexts is desirable.
Skills
Innovation Management, Organizational Leadership, Portfolio Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Strategic Alliances, Strategic Partnerships, Strategic Thinking