Project Manager

Vacancy Code

UNOPS /2011/AFO/Roster/015

Post Title

Project Manager

Post Level

ICA-3

Duty Station

Multiple in Africa

Duration

Will depend on the nature of the assignment

Closing Date

6 June 2011

UNOPS is a self-financing entity of the United Nations system, with more than a decade of experience in providing operational management services in developing nations and post-conflict/emergency situations. Headquartered in Copenhagen, with regional offices in New York, Johannesburg, Bangkok, and Panama, UNOPS presently operates in over 60 countries providing to UN agencies and developing countries complex project implementations of client operations, loan administration and supervision, and advisory services for operations management. 

The Africa Office (AFO) is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, and provides services in the areas of project management, governance, procurement of goods, services and works, human resources management including hiring of international experts and national project personnel, administrative and financial support.    

Under the guidance and supervision of the Operation Center Director, Head of Program the Project Manager  is required to perform the following specific duties and responsibilities:

• Liaise with client and stakeholders to perform assessments, identify needs, prepare project and setup including the operational plan, budget, briefing materials, organigrams, operational schedules, equipment lists, procurement timetable, staffing charts, security requirements, communications needs and support elements necessary to conduct the project.
• Ensure continuous communication with client, stakeholders and beneficiaries at all stages to ensure ‘buy-in’ and approval.
• Design, create, and project manage Large Scale Operations projects which could include: emergency employment, large scale deployments and procurement, Large scale logistics and inventory
• Advise OC, PC, Donors, and Partners regarding the planning and execution of Large Scale Operations
• Setup and manage project team, responsible for planning, execution, budgeting, and staffing recommendations, monitoring delivery for quality, costs and time; ensuring the incorporation of best practices. Identify potential project cost overruns, time delays or quality deficiencies, and implement actions for rectification.
• Assist in the development of operational procedures to foster the efficient planning and administration of the project.
• Develop a training and capacity building programme for counterpart government staff if required.
• Work with Finance Officers to ensure correct budgeting and financial procedures in place.
• Provide logistics and operations inputs into all aspects of the project as required.
• Support the development of project work plans and budgets, staff lists and oversee monitoring and evaluation of performance of project staff.
• Advise, support and train government counterparts and clients on a variety of areas including:
  • Supply, logistics, administration, procurement, financial management of project expenditure, warehousing and distribution operations, planning and operations coordination, vehicle fleet advice, coordinated logistics support, computers systems and management. Working with government officials ensure support requirements are able to be delivered on time.
• Training andCapacityBuildingof Counterparts
• Ensures timely and cost-efficient delivery of tasks and duties such as sub-contracting of local companies, renting and rehabilitating of premises, communication systems, office equipment and supply, transportation and fuel agreements.
• Supervise and work closely with clients and project Admin/Finance Officers and logistics staff to ensure a proper management and record keeping according to UNOPS rules and regulations. 
• Travels to implementation sites and provides necessary support to the program staff.
• Provide continuity and knowledge management for clients and partners
• Assist with other Technical Experts to fulfill the needs of Projects.
• Supervises relevant support operations personnel
• Assists in obtaining security clearance for international staff and missions to his/her project area.
• Performs other duties as and when assigned by the Country Office

• Personal interest, commitment, efficiency, flexibility and willingness to work in a highly motivated team of professionals.
• Political Sensitivity and ability to work with multiple stakeholders and negotiate competing interests

• Ability to adapt to difficult working environment, under pressure and with limited timeframes.
• Experience leading teams in a complex and sensitive multi-cultural environment.
• Excellent inter-personal and general communication skills.
• Advance knowledge of working with internet based applications and languages.

• Advanced university degree in Business Administration, Logistics, Economics, International Management other relevant discipline OR relevant work experience in the design and management of Large Scale Operations in challenging locations.

• Certification in Prince2 or Project Management Professional (PMP) methodologies including Prince2 MSP (Managing Successful Programmes) certification.  

• 11 years of relevant working experience. A Bachelor in one of the above, in combination with 13 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advance University Degree.
• Experience in managing and training staff in a similar project highly desirable.
• Experience working with UNOPS/UN/NGO’s and/or post-conflict environments
• Experience with basic living conditions and challenging environment.
• Experience in project and team management and skills development.
• Good project and team management experience.
• Experience leading teams in a complex and sensitive multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to develop detailed operational plans for large scale complex projects
• Proven ability to coordinate and negotiate with multiple organisations and work closely with government bodies at a senior level.
• Personal interest, commitment, efficiency, flexibility and willingness to work in a highly motivated team of professionals;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and ability to function as a member of a dynamic multi-cultural team.
• Fluent spoken and written English or French essential, depending on the official language of the duty station..