The UN House Project Manager

BACKGROUND

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The Government of Egypt has offered the United Nations to construct a UN building where the UN entities in Egypt should co-locate. This is to help enable the UN to come together in an integrated way in support of the Government, the people of Egypt, and in line with the General Assembly resolution on the UN reform of the Development System including achieving efficiency gains through common back offices and common premises. The government started the conceptual design and construction started construction at the designated land/plot. The building will be approximately 75km outside of Cairo in the Diplomatic District of the new Administrative Capital City. Egypt hosts 38 UN country entities, including 20 Country Offices and 18 Regional Offices. In total, 34 UN entities expressed their intention to move into the new UN Common Premises, totaling approximatively 2000 personnel.

The project is implemented under the overall guiding principle of shared ownership and leadership by all the UN entities in Egypt, participating in the UN Common Premises. The Resident Coordinator convenes concerned Heads of Agencies regularly and triggers relevant decisions. The Operational Management Team and its UN Common Premises task team convene operational heads to gather necessary data and costs, aggregate preferences and make technical recommendations. 

UNDP, as lead agency, establishes and signs with the Government the UN Common promises agreement on behalf and for the best interests of participating UN agencies, based on the work of the UN House Project Manager, in accordance with its rules and regulations and is accountable for its outcomes. 

A structured project management environment has been agreed among all stakeholders as the norm for overseeing the construction of the One UN Common premises together with the contents of its Common Back-Office as per the agreed UN Development System’s Business Operations reform.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The UN House Project Manager will act as the main focal point for all matters related to the One UN Common premises project and coordinate all aspects of efficient project management. The UN House Project Manager will be the UN focal point on the construction site, collaborating with the local authorities, architects, and UN Stakeholders. The UN House Project Manager will ensure that the design of the building suits UN standards and requirements and will coordinate UN preparation to move to the new office. 

Working under the supervision of UNDP Operations Manager (in the capacity of Lead Agency signatory of the Memorandum of Agreement), key responsibilities and functions are:

Project Management:

• Put in place industry-standard project management portfolio with project documents, files, work plan, and risk register.
• Create a project filing system that allows project business continuity, external reviews such as audits, and internal information management functions. Some review and repair work on exiting files could be required.
• Coordinate and provide technical leadership among multiple stakeholders with varied technical competencies.
• Develop a framework for monitoring the implementation of the recommendations from internal UN experts on areas such as IT infrastructure, environmental sustainability, air quality, inclusive access, security, Occupational Health and Safety, etc.
• Create a Gantt chart for the overall project, submit periodic status reports and inform the working group and the management regarding progress, challenges, and suggested corrective actions.
• Review documentation such as: architectural/engineering drawings, specifications, schedules, health and safety plans, quality control and assurance plans, surveys, inspection report, substantial completion reports, site activity log, material samples, tests and inspection.
• Coordinate with the focal points of each participating agency and other relevant stakeholders to understand existing practices and the space programming requirements and prepare design solutions as needed.
• Oversee on-site construction, ensuring that the work is carried out in full compliance with the approved project, and that all interests of the UN system are served throughout the construction phase of the project.
• Plan and coordinate the move of agencies from their existing offices/temporary swing space(s) or building(s) if necessary, to the new building and respond effectively to problems related to information/communication connectivity. 
• Develop communications materials intended for technical and non-technical stakeholders around the project implementation to increase UN staff awareness on the One UN Common premises.
• Any other duty as required.

Technical quality assurance support and coordination between UN and Government on design and construction issues:

• Facilitate and coordinate the sharing of information between the United Nations System and the Government using courtesy and diplomacy in all exchanges.
• With full respect for the roles and responsibilities of the different stakeholders in the project, provide technical support to the UN and the Government towards ensuring the design chosen by the government is respected and adhered to.
• Provide proactive and constructive advice to stakeholders actively involved in the construction of the UN building, including proposing changes to design, plans that either lower initial construction costs, lower operational costs for the UN, and/or increase the users quality experience of the final building, and increases flexibility and space optimization.
• Manage UN visits to the site, in close coordination with the Government.

Help optimize environmental sustainability as per UN guidelines, inclusive access, air quality, and other Duty of Care and staff well-being standards:

• Advocate for and provide solutions towards ensuring that the building meet all international standards and is in full compliance with UN standards on Duty of Care, well-being, air quality, accessibility, etc.
• Working closely with Greening sub-group and other key stakeholders help implement the UNEP recommendations towards achieving green and sustainable UN Common premises.
• Working closely with Change Management group (to be established) to incorporate measures to ensure staff well-being.

Smart Facility Management design, systems, procedures that integrate smart building management across all services provided for FM, admin, ICT, and Security:

• Help establish a Building Management System that allows for ‘smart’ management of the building facilities through the internet of things, data sensors, etc., on all equipment. Support procurement process towards achievement of these goals.
• Support in selection of internal ticketing system for services related to Facility Management, IT, and other building services in a one-stop-shop, in compliance with the UN guidelines.

Support in designing and establishing services solutions that meet the Management Board’s quality and budgetary requirement:

• Provide technical input and advice as and when required for the UN system to design services: (mainly facilities services) and service delivery structures for the UN building. 

Coordination with Stakeholders:

• Under the direct supervision of UNDP OM, work implies frequent interaction with and acting as the focal point for the following:
• Resident Coordinator and Head of RCO, Chair of OMT, UN management, UNDP (in capacity as Lead Agency for the Memorandum of Agreement), internal UN colleagues, TTCP, various UN entities, as well as the Egyptian Government officials and its project team and construction unit.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities:

• The UN House Project Manager will supervise an NOB Assistant Project Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• A Master’s degree (MSc) in Architecture, Construction Engineering, or related field.  
• A Bachelor’s degree with two additional years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the Master’s degree.

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Minimum 7 years (with Master’s) or 9 years (with Bachelor’s) of experience in the design, management and implementation of large office buildings projects, with solid experience in construction supervision and leading the process from inception to project closeout.
• Proficient and experienced user of technical design tools, such as CAD
• Proficient and experienced user of project management software and GANTT chart-style tools is required.
• Knowledge of international standards and building codes such as IBC and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is desired.
• Experience in dealing with high level officials (UN, governments) is desired.
• Experience working for the UN, or an international organization is desired.
• Experience working with UN operations/administration desired.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in oral and written English and Arabic. 

COMPETENCIES

Core Competencies:

• Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact
• Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems
• Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences
• Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands
• Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results
• Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration
• Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

People Management Competencies: 

• UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site. 

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies: 

Business Direction & Strategy: Effective Decision Making

• Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, Effective Decision-Making area of expertise and resources.

Business Development: Collective Intelligence Design

• Ability to bringing together diverse groups of people, data, information or ideas, and technology to design services or solutions.

Business Development: Integration within the UN

Ability to identify, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work, knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Business Management: Project Management

• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Business Management: Partnerships Management

• Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.

Business Management: Communication

• Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.
• Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media, and other appropriate channels 

Business Management: Operations Management 

• Ability to effectively plan, organize, and oversee the organization’s business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner.
• Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Please note that continuance of appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Note: Please upload copies of your academic qualifications and 3 latest performance evaluations (if applicable). 

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Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment. 

UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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