Project Manager

Project Information:

In 2004, UNOPS established the Herat Multi Agency Compound (HMAC) in Herat, where multiple UN agencies are co-located. UNOPS is responsible for compound and facility management, overseeing common services. Additionally, UNOPS project teams, with significant representation, contribute to project implementation in the Western region of the country. As HMAC operates under the UNOPS Cost Recovery model, it is important to deliver high-quality and timely facilities and common services to both internal and external tenants. The Cost Recovery Project team is vital in ensuring client satisfaction and maintaining regular engagement with stakeholders. 

Job-Specific Information:

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Support Services and direct supervision of the Facility Manager, the incumbent coordinates all aspects of the construction projects in Herat compound The project manager is responsible for assessing the needs of prospective tenants at HMAC, analyzing their specific facility requirements, and developing move-in schedules. This includes effective resource allocation and overseeing infrastructure setup, ensuring utilities are connected, safety regulations are met, and stakeholders are well-informed. Additionally, the project manager will handle project planning and execution, adopt a holistic approach to tenant needs, coordinate between teams, and address challenges related to cost recovery projects at HMAC.

Initially the duty station is Kabul with frequent travels to Herat and once the implementation of the project starts, the incumbent is expected to deploy to Herat as the final duty station. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for planning and designing programmatic activities, for monitoring and reporting these activities, and for carrying out on-site supervision of work performed by Contractors. Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project. Project Manager manages the project activities on an ongoing basis during the Implementation stage. The main responsibility of a Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Project Delivery and Performance
• Procedures
• Monitoring and reporting
• Stakeholder engagement
• Quality assurance
• Knowledge management and innovation

Project Delivery and Performance 

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).
• Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by Cost Recovery Project Team.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
• Liaise with any external suppliers.
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly
• Control project and work packages changes
• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
• Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to AFCO senior management / Cost Recovery Project Team so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

Procedures 

• Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual.
• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Cost Recovery Project Team.
• Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
• Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.
• Ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

Monitoring and reporting

• Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with UNOPS requirements for reporting.
• Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.

Stakeholder engagement

• Establish solid working relationships with the Cost Recovery Project Team, client and key stakeholders.
• Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications.

Quality assurance

• Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems.
• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables.
• Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

Knowledge management and innovation

• Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices
• Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

Impact of Results

• Project Manager/Senior Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of  UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced  Degree or equivalent preferably in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with four (4) years’ experience at the national or international level in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management or related fields may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• Minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience in civil works design, supervision or implementation of buildings construction projects in Afghanistan is required.
• Comprehensive knowledge in computer software, particularly “AutoCAD” (latest Versions – 2009 and higher) is desirable.
• Proficiency in computers and office software packages is required
• Strong writing and reporting skills.
• Experience in risk management.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Experience working in multicultural teams.
• Strong communication, presentation, and client service skills.

Language Requirements

• Full working knowledge of English,
• Knowledge of a second UN or regional working language is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=28799