Consultancy - Project Management Manual Editor, Amman, Jordan

Job Description

UNRWA is a United Nations agency established by the General Assembly in 1949 and is mandated to provide assistance and protection to a population of some 5 million registered Palestine refugees. Its mission is to help Palestine refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, West Bank and the Gaza Strip to achieve their full potential in human development, pending a just solution to their plight. UNRWA’s services encompass education, health care, relief and social services, camp infrastructure and improvement, microfinance and emergency assistance. UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions. UNRWA is the largest UN operation in the Middle East with more than 30,000 staff.

Consultancy - Project Management Manual Editor, Amman, Jordan

Background

The Department of Planning provides methodological leadership in the provision of programme/project cycle management tools used in UNRWA’s fields of operation and headquarters programme and support departments. The Department introduced a Project Cycle Management handbook in 2008 and a Project Procedures Manual in 2011. With the advent of advances in UNRWA’s results-based management practices, capacity building efforts to institutionalise best practice in project management, and the planned implementation of an ERP system in 2015, the Department requires additional, temporary capacity assistance to undertake a revision of the Project Procedures Manual. The Department seeks a professional, experienced in project management and in the design and roll-out of project management tools and templates.

Key aspects requiring detailed attention of the Editor includes supporting the update of UNRWA’s Project Procedures Manual (PPM) in a process involving identified, key stakeholders in the Agency’s fields of operation and programme departments and support services. This work shall build upon recently established project management institutionalisation implementation plans and lessons learned from current challenges associated with the PPM and improve/incorporate updates regarding the project life cycle process, key stakeholder roles & responsibilities and updating the toolkit with templates to align with ERP requirements.

The Editor will establish a peer review group which will be drawn from the established Community of Practice, Project Management Working Group, and relying extensively upon the Prince2 process model to deliver Project Procedures Manual, version II.

Description of Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent will report to the Deputy Director of the Department of Planning and lead the revision of the PPM which includes but, is not limited to, the following:

Phase I - Assessment

• Establish a peer review group with identified, key stakeholders to validate each Phase output;
• Undertaking a stocktake of strengths and weaknesses of the PPM v2011; and
• Identifying PPM gap areas in relation to UNRWA’s results-based management systems and processes and the new ERP system requirements.

Phase II - Design

• Drawing upon the Prince2 Process model and based on the stocktake and gap requirements established, develop the methodological updates to the PPM.

Phase III - Implementation

• Developing the materials and support documentation for the PPM, including tools and templates;
• Aligning capacity building tools with the ERP capacity building elements and schedule; Manage the branding relationship for the final production of the PPM upon finalization.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Advanced university degree from an accredited educational institution in development or project management;
• 5 to 7 years experience in international development work preferably focused on, or strongly involving project management and authoring substantive works;
• Project management certification (i.e., advanced Prince2 or PMP or other recognized body);
• Experience in implementing best practices in project management and related tools for realization of effective and efficient project management practices;
• Fluency in English and strong writing skills;
• Knowledge of participatory approaches;
• Sound analytical skills;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and proven ability to work in a multi-cultural setting and in teams with diversity of background and skills;
• Strong organizational skills and ability to meet deadlines and to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently;
• Ability to independently plan and manage work processes.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

• The duration of the consultancy will be up to 3 (three) months calendar months with a targeted completion date of October, 2014;
• · Remuneration for this consultancy will be based on the current UNRWA salary scale and will depend on the qualifications and experience of the expert;
• The work is based in Amman but may require travel within UNRWA’s fields of operation.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applicants should submit a cover letter and CV or UN Personal History Form demonstrating clearly the knowledge and experience required to meet the consultancy requirements via consultancy@unrwa.org indicating the title of this consultancy “Project Management Manual Editor” in the subject line of the message. The deadline for the submission of applications is 25 July 2014 Late applications will not be considered.

UNRWA is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from both women and men. UNRWA encourages applications from qualified and experienced female candidates. Only those applicants short-listed for interview will be contacted. UNRWA is a non-smoking environment.

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