Director, Country Office, Panama City, Panama

## Director, Country Office, Panama City, Panama - Organization:UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Position Title:Director, Country Office Job Category:Leadership Duty Station(s):Panama City Seniority Level:Senior Level Contract Type:Staff - IP - FTA Contract Level:IP P-5 Posting Start Date:25-Aug-2026 Posting End Date:14-Sep-2026 Duration:1 year with possibility of extension Drive strategic leadership and operational excellence to deliver sustainable results and strengthen partnerships in-country. In Latin America and the Caribbean, UNOPS operates across 23 countries, delivering high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS focuses on building and improving resilient infrastructure—including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing—to enhance quality of life and foster inclusive growth. UNOPS also supports public health by procuring essential medicines and medical equipment, ensuring broader access to healthcare services. By strengthening institutional capacities, UNOPS promotes transparent, efficient, and equitable public management. As a trusted partner to governments and development stakeholders, UNOPS aligns its interventions with national priorities, helping countries advance the Sustainable Development Goals through practical, results-driven support. Based in Panama City, Panama, the UNOPS Office of the Regional Director (ORD) for Latin America and the Caribbean provides strategic leadership and coordination across the region, enabling effective delivery of UNOPS' mandate. Through portfolio oversight, integrated risk management, and the mobilization of expertise and resources, the ORD ensures regional coherence and operational excellence. The office supports country teams in aligning activities with organizational goals, strengthening the impact and efficiency of development efforts. It also leads regional positioning and representation in high-level forums, advancing visibility and engagement with key stakeholders. In close collaboration with other regional offices and headquarters, the ODR fosters cross-regional learning, promotes innovation, and drives strategic initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Panama Country Office oversees UNOPS projects in Panama and works closely with government partners and other stakeholders to deliver sustainable development solutions. Its portfolio includes infrastructure, procurement, capacity strengthening and HR Transactionals. The role requires a leader with a strong ability to inspire and develop diverse teams, while bringing the operational discipline needed to coordinate at scale, oversee complex delivery and ensure consistently high-quality operations. * Experience in Latin America and the Caribbean is considered an asset. ** Direct knowledge and experience in using new technologies to enable scalable operations is highly desirable. Reporting to and under the general guidance and oversight of the Regional Director, the Country Office (CO) Director directs and manages all delivery and operations under the CO's scope - including liaison and engagement development activities and delivering timely and cost-effective services for sustainable results by partners and stakeholders. The CO Director also represents UNOPS on behalf of the Regional Director in the country covered by the CO. Functions / Key Results Expected - Create, foster and role model a culture of trust, empowerment and accountability across the Country Office (CO) locations. - Build engagement and foster a diverse and inclusive work environment, respectful of all, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed. - 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. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments. - Promote teamwork, collaboration and diversity by providing timely guidance and supervision to the team, to enable them to perform their duties responsibly, effectively and efficiently. - Plan, recruit, manage and develop a flexible and diverse workforce, with the skills and competencies needed to ensure optimum performance. Country Office Portfolio Management - Develop the strategy for the entire Country Office, establish priorities and oversee the implementation of the portfolio, managing the operational risks associated with the Country Office portfolio of engagements. - Lead the delivery of the UNOPS strategic plan through the CO annual plan. - In collaboration with the CO team and partners, establish annual objectives and targets, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services. - Guide, endorse and oversee the proposals and project document agreements in connection with identified opportunities across the Country Office. - Set and endorse the objectives, performance measurements, standards and results expected to ensure timely and partner oriented services across the Country Office. - Monitor implementation, oversee progress toward annual objectives and make decisions to ensure the delivery of results as planned. - Plan, propose to the Regional Director and allocate resources (human, financial and administrative) to achieve goals and ensure financial sustainability in accordance with UNOPS standards of ethics, integrity and accountability framework. - Operate within the defined limits of authority on matters of Finance, Procurement and Human Resources and subject to any limits or conditions that may be imposed as per delegated authority. - Manage overall HSSE performance across the entire CO while holding the accountability for the implementation of all HSSE requirements. - Oversee, monitor and direct appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of UNOPS personnel and their eligible dependents, assets, property and information within the respective area of responsibility. - Consult - as the most senior UNOPS person in-country - with the UNOPS Chief of Security act as the UNOPS Security Focal Point (SFP) within the country of operation, including participating actively in the Security Management Team (SMT) and perform duties on security as outlined in the Framework of Accountability in the UN Security Management System Policy Manual. Alliance Building, Networking and Advocacy For Building Development - 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. - Build and strengthen strategic partnerships in the geographical coverage area through active networking, advocacy and effective communication of UNOPS competencies in project service delivery and management to develop opportunities and engagements with new and existing partners. - Keep the Regional Director informed/advised on opportunities and/or challenges and risks to strengthen UNOPS capacity for portfolio management and business development in the geographical area. Service Delivery and Quality Assurance - With the support from the CO Head of Support Services and the CO Head of Programme, ensure appropriate arrangements for building excellence of business processes and quality standards. - Build capability and ensure direct operational support for the units within the CO. - Monitor and supervise the overall timely and cost-effective delivery of the Country Office portfolio(s) according to partner expectations, approved budgets and full cost recovery. - Take overall responsibility for financial decisions, and exercise financial control, to ensure the fiscal health/sustainability