Project Manager

The Project Manager is expected to advise on or temporarily manage implementation projects that are of moderate to high complexity from stakeholder management, financial management, risk management,  governance, resource management and quality management perspectives.

In their role, the Project Manager will provide advice to the country or project office on project management capacity, quality and progress related issues, highlighting operational and compliance challenges to projects and field offices whilst tailoring appropriate mitigation approaches. 

When engaged on a surge assignment, the Project Manager will report to the supervisor of the position occupied or related position in the unit/office of work. They will also have a secondary reporting line to the Surge Coordinator. 

It is important to note that surge assignments vary in nature and context. Hence, this job description is generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all assignments under this job title. The specific tasks and deliverables for each surge assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment by the requesting office/unit.

 Functional Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery

Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).

Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

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.

Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers, including accepting goods, services or works delivered.

Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly and manage changes, acceptance and delivery of work packages.

Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

2. Technical Advisory

Provide substantive advice to Programme Managers/Project Managers/Team Managers in the planning and implementation of infrastructure projects and programmes throughout their life cycle.

Advise on and support the development of project/programme recovery, including work plans and implementation guidance.

Advise key stakeholders such as Head of Programme, Programme Managers, Project Managers and Heads of PMO on how to embed best practices of project and programme governance, risk management, project and programme management into the projects.

Identify impending or anticipated risks that may affect UNOPS programme/project implementation and develop mitigation strategies to ensure the maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

3. Stakeholder Engagement

Establish solid working relationships with HQ, project and field office personnel including Project Board and key stakeholders.

Support with the formulation of project communications plans.

Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. 

Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

4. Quality Assurance

Support project teams providing substantive inputs and ensuring the quality of all projects’ plans including: Quality Plans, Project Implementation Plan, Health, Safety Social and Environment (HSSE) Plans, Gender, Equality and Social Inclusion Plans and any other relevant plans.

Provide technical advice on quality assurance frameworks, including quality assurance improvement plans.

Provide expert input for quarterly reviews of project documents and deliverables as well as internal quarterly assurance processes.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

5. Partnerships, Programme Development and Coordination 

Understand the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and UNOPS Strategic Plan

Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, Government, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners.

Coordinate the development/drafting of concept notes, project proposals, and legal agreements, ensuring alignment with UNOPS and partner requirements/templates, and presenting them in a collaborative and professional manner.

Analyse opportunities and risks during development, providing advice to management within the context and framework of proposed solutions.

Support negotiations with partners and consultations with beneficiaries, facilitating the finalisation of concept notes and project proposals in a context-sensitive and results-oriented manner.

Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).

Facilitate the review and approval of new projects by ensuring the use of UNOPS updated policies and procedures and liaising with headquarters for requesting clarifications and permissions.

Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.

Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

Identify potential opportunities for UNOPS involvement. 

9. Personnel Management

Lead and motivate the project management team.

Select, recruit and train personnel as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.

Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

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.

Core Values and Principles:

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management.

Seek opportunities to champion gender equality in the workplace.

Champion and communicate the project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders.

Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans.

Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff.

Look for ways to build the capacity of local counterparts.

Excellence

Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality. 

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

For infrastructure project managers: An Advanced University degree (Master’s or equivalent such as MEng, MSc) or professional certification preferably in Civil Engineering (CEng, PE, P. Eng.), Architecture, Construction Management or relevant discipline is required; or

For non infrastructure project managers: A Master’s Degree preferably in Project Management, Business Administration or related field (e.g. International Relations). 

A Bachelor degree combined with 2 years of relevant work experience can be accepted in lieu of the Master’s degree

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of experience in functions related to Project and Programme Management and Operations support;

Proven technical leadership and expertise in project and programme management is

required;

Within these 5 years, a minimum 2 years managing projects in the international development context is required;

Desirable Experience:

Prior experience in UNOPS, any other UN Agency and/or international organizations.

Current or prior experience as a UNOPS project manager given the nature of the surge capacity role.

Experience in the Global South and/or conflict/post-conflict environments.

Languages:

Fluency in English is required.

Proficiency in additional official UN languages such as French or Spanish is highly desirable.

Source: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29669#1