Head of Project Management Office

Position description

The World Customs Organization (WCO) is an independent intergovernmental body, established in 1952 as the Customs Co-operation Council (CCC), whose mission is to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Customs services across the globe. The WCO represents 186 Customs administrations that collectively process approximately 98% of world trade. As the global centre of Customs expertise, the WCO is the only international organization with competence in Customs matters.

As a forum for dialogue and exchange of experiences between national Customs delegates, the WCO offers its Members a wide range of conventions and other international instruments, as well as technical assistance and training services provided either directly by the Secretariat, or with its participation. The Secretariat also actively supports its Members in their endeavours to modernize and build capacity within their national Customs administrations, as well as fostering international cooperation among them.

In June 2024, WCO Council approved a modernization plan for the Organization, which included a restructuring designed to address challenges identified by Members and the Secretariat which comes into effect on 1 July 2025. The new structure includes a new dedicated Project Management Office (PMO) under the direction of the Chief of Staff. The WCO manages a broad range of donor funded projects, sometimes in partnership with other international organizations, which support the Strategic Plan.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Staff, the Head of Project Management Office will focus on the following key activities:  Leadership:  1. Manage PMO staff in accordance with the WCO’s values, Staff Manuals and policies, including management of leave and attendance, recruitment, onboarding, offboarding and associated knowledge transfer, as well as staff welfare, liaising with the Human Resources (HR) Service and other relevant services, as required. 2. Assign tasks to PMO staff, ensuring alignment with individual skills and capacities, balancing workloads to the extent possible, and setting deadlines and expectations.  3. Provide guidance and direction to PMO staff, ensuring ongoing two-way feedback, setting objectives and development plans, conducting performance evaluations, and identifying opportunities for development.  4. Ensure effective communication and knowledge-sharing within the PMO, and in coordination with other managers in the WCO.

EDUCATION • A minimum of an undergraduate degree in a relevant field and/or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience. • Recognized certification and/or training in project management methods (such as PRINCE2).

Qualifications

EXPERIENCE AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum 7 years of relevant and professional experience in project management; • Experience in a senior project management role in the WCO Secretariat, or a Member’s Customs administration, for or with international organizations, or other relevant private sector experience; • Leadership potential and the motivation to take on the day-to-day management of staff in a multi-cultural environment; • Comprehensive knowledge of project management methods and established project management principles; • Strong analytical skills and proven experience in working effectively under pressure in a multicultural and cross-institutional environment; • Strong inter-personal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with staff and stakeholders; • Strong drafting skills and the ability to prepare and review project proposals; • Good knowledge of computer applications and information systems, in particular MS Office

Application instructions

Any personal data collected and processed as part of the recruitment procedure will be in accordance with the WCO’s Personal Data Protection Policy (available on the WCO website: https://www.wcoomd.org/en/about-us/legal-instruments/policies.aspx). Any questions or complaints in this regard may be addressed to the WCO’s Data Protection Officer ([email protected]).

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