Senior Project Manager

<!–

Description

–>

The Project Manager will be  responsible for managing the project following  the CEO Endorsement package including the Project Document and UNEP-UNOPS Legal Agreement, in line with UNOPS project management standards and UNEP’s technical requirements. 

Therefore, under the direct supervision of UNOPS, and technical guidance of UNEP, the incumbent will be responsible for ensuring that the project delivers the required outputs in a timely manner and on budget, in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders and partners. The incumbent is expected to review and update the work plan for effective implementation of the project, work with stakeholders and partners to ensure efficient project execution, conduct monitoring and evaluation of project activities, and facilitate quarterly reviews and reporting until project closure.

Functional Responsibilities:

Summary of functions:a

• Management of Substantive Activities
• Regional Cooperation & Collaboration
• Management of the SAP Implementation Unit
• Liaison with Project Stakeholders
• Knowledge management and innovation 
• As per the above functions, the Project Manager will perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Management of Substantive Activities:

• Facilitates implementation and delivery of outputs and activities in line with national priorities of the participating countries, and leads the establishment of project support agreements and other contracts with implementation partners, in collaboration with the relevant UNOPS and UNEP officials, and as per the approved project plan(s).
• Provides oversight and guidance to the execution of project activities through monitoring missions, and based on the established agreements, as required.
• Provides technical advice and support, directly (within the individual’s sphere of competence) and indirectly (through other staff of the unit and consultants) to implementation partners, to ensure implementation of their respective contracts.
• Closely coordinates with SEMARNAT and NOAA regarding their inputs and implementation of components and activities. 
• Provides oversight and guidance to the preparation of the relevant technical training materials.
• Provides oversight and monitoring of progress in all components and activities of the project to ensure effective implementation, while also coordinating with and monitoring progress of other relevant project partners.
• Manages organization and convening of regional and sub-regional meetings each year, as per project work plan(s).
• Ensures monitoring of overall project implementation, facilitating conduct of the mid-term review, as well as terminal independent evaluation.
• Ensures links with the appropriate SDGs.

Regional Cooperation & Collaboration:

• Acts as Secretary to the Steering Committee, including convening of meetings; preparation and distribution of the relevant background documents in advance; and dissemination of official meeting reports.
• Liaises on a regular basis with designated government officials, National Focal Points and other relevant bodies and stakeholders in the two participating countries regarding project execution and progress.
• Develops and supports networks of participating individuals and institutions involved in SAP implementation activities at all levels.
• Initiates collaborative arrangements with relevant projects in the region, as per UNOPS standards, and as agreed by the Steering Committee.
• Oversees publications and distribution of all substantive and technical reports resulting from project activities following UNEP and GEF publication protocols.
• Organizes and supervises peer reviews of project outputs
• Facilitates identification of opportunities to expand project outcomes and outputs through new partnerships and additional contributions.

Management of the SAP Implementation Unit:

• Supervises and guides PCU personnel in the execution of their duties, as per UNOPS’ HR requirements.
• Managing learning, development and performance of project personnel assigned by UNOPS.
• Monitoring and evaluation of the performance of personnel assigned to the PCU by UNOPS in line with UNOPS HR requirements, and in coordination with UNEP on technical and substantive elements. 

Liaison with Project Stakeholders:

• Liaises regularly with project partners, including UNEP as the implementing agency, SEMARNAT  and NOAA as government counterparts, to ensure the effective implementation of the project, in line with the project agreement between UNOPS and UNEP, and as per UNOPS project management standards.
• Liaises with project partners for soliciting inputs in the preparation of project monitoring documents such as annual workplan, progress reports, reports on risks and challenges in line with UNOPS, UNEP and GEF requirements.

Knowledge Management and Innovation:

• Encourages routine and effective capacity building activities for long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
• Actively interacts with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices 
• Contributes 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
• Performs research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.
• Provides feedback to UNOPS internal Practice Groups on policy and supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

Education/Experience/Language requirements:

Education:

• Master’s degree in marine biology, ecology, coastal habitats and marine fisheries, resource management or relevant field is required. 
• A Bachelor’s degree combined with two (depending on the contract) additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. 

Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive working experience in a relevant project setting is required. 
• Experience in environmental management in the Mexican context and in working with institutions of the Federal Government, Academia and Civil Society, as well as international cooperation organizations is required.
• Demonstrated competence in managing environmental related projects is highly desirable. Having knowledge of comprehensive management of water resources and marine-coastal ecosystems is desirable.
• Demonstrated competence in the management of large multi-country and multi-disciplinary projects, such as GEF-funded projects, is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in regional and intergovernmental negotiations, networking, and the management of environmental project activities is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in the region, and familiarity with its geopolitical, cultural, social and economic setting, including international treaties and environmental agreements, highly preferred. 
• Expertise in managing multiple and high-level stakeholders and government partners, including production and dissemination of public awareness materials would be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of the United Nations system and/or Global Environment Facility, including their administrative processes, is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish is required; 
• Working knowledge of other United Nations languages and/or regional languages is an asset.

Source: https://jobs.unop ages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=26900#1

<!—

<!–

–>