Project Manager (Infrastructure) -IICA 2

Job Description

1. General Background of Project/Assignment

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure, and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands of more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

Somalia Country Office:

Somalia is amid major new political and security developments that will offer a greater possibility for peace and security than the country has seen in over 20 years. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), established in 2012, and the international community have driven a process of rebuilding of functioning government institutions and processes through Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building priorities under the Somali Compact (2013-2016), based on the Busan “New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States” agreement. The Somalia National Development Plan (2017-2019), builds on this foundation laid by the Compact and sets the priorities for national recovery and development in full collaboration with national and regional governments. A landmark electoral process in late 2016 and early 2017 resulted in a peaceful transfer of power to a new President and government, in place since February and March 2017 respectively. The government has set out an ambitious agenda for its term (the period to 2021). At the London Somalia Conference in May 2017, a Security Pact was agreed by Somalia and the international community, which will allow for sustainable, long-term security based on mutual accountability.

UNOPS has had a solid in-country presence in Somalia since 1994 implementing a wide range of projects and has contributed to the above development priorities of the country.

Job Specific:

Support from the International Community in strengthening the Somali National Army (SNA) began over a decade ago. Since 2010, the EU contributes through a military Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) mission to the training of the SNA. It is part of the EU’s long-term strategy to enable Somali forces to assume gradually their security responsibilities and to facilitate AMISOM’s drawdown. The projects seek to address the installation of tented barracks as well as the procurement of essential non-lethal military equipment. With the addition of tented barracks, the Somali military will be better equipped to maintain a stable force of soldiers on the ground in acceptable living conditions which decreases the time spent off base and as a result is conducive to creating a safer and more secure environment in the surrounding area. It is also indispensable for expanding the FGS’s control over the Somali territory. For the country as a whole, the transition of security responsibility from AMISOM to the Somali Security Forces (SSF) will be challenging. As AMISOM gradually withdraws its forces from the country, and SNA gains more ground, the establishment of a well-equipped and capacitated SNA will go a long way in meeting the objectives of the Transition Plan”.

1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator, the Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners, and beneficiaries. S/he is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The Project Manager is responsible to produce/read the project initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

2.1 Stakeholder Management:

• In consultation with the Programme Coordinator, establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users, and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Report and advise the Programme Coordinator and the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Programme Coordinator, Head of Programme, and the Project Board

2.2 Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within the set tolerances
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Programme Coordinator and Head of Programme of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential demand for UNOPS services to the Programme Coordinator
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to the Programme Coordinator

2.3 Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Ensure preparation and maintenance of all project planning, monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Ensure that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage construction budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.

2.4 Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

2.5 Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify relevant performance issues and bring to the attention of the Programme Coordinator
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including IICA and LICA staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

2.6 Monitoring and Progress Controls

Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits to the satisfaction of UNOPS and the Client. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

About the Organization

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.