Project Manager (Re-advertisement)

Job Description

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. Success of the project(s) and hence Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager Level 2 are similar to that of the Project Manager Level 3, with the difference in grades being determined by the project(s) level, complexity and level of responsibility of the specific position. A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for one or more UNOPS Level 2 project(s). A project manager at this level would likely be expected to manage a mid-sized project with mid-level risk or complexity. The project would rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery, managing tight timeline with some flexibility. S/he will also responsible for Individual Contractors (ICs). The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with some degree of autonomy, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

The Project Manager will be responsible for the overall implementation of the project and thus will be required to plan, manage, coordinate and monitor the project activities implemented by UNOPS, in Bangui and other locations across the CAR. Including the following areas:

• Assess, plan and manage the delivery of a comprehensive set of services and activities, in line with the project scope, approach and implementation modalities;
• Assess, and manage the resources allocated to the project activities, in full compliance with UNOPS rules and procedures;
• Prepare and update the work plan, in close cooperation with MINUSCA and implementing partners;
• Advise the Partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance);
• Assure that services are delivered with quality (according to MINUSCA and UNOPS ‘s standards) and on time
• Other tasks as may be requested by UNOPS;
• Lead by example, being visible, involved, and accessible;
• Ensure compliance with all regulations as applicable.

Stakeholder Management:

• 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
• Advise 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 Project Board/OC Director and the project(s)

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into 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
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager 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 performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board: I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

i. Highlight Reports

ii. End Stage Reports

iii. Operational Closure Checklist

iv. End Project Report

v. Handover Report

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage 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.

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.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

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 outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the OC Director
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and 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

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

I. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

II. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

III. Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

i. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

iii. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

i. Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

i. The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue with a supervisor

• Excellence

i. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

About the Organization

La République centrafricaine (RCA) est un pays très fragile avec une histoire de conflits récurrents, la plus récente ayant eu lieu en 2013 entre plusieurs groupes armés. La violence qui a suivi la crise de 2013 a fortement endommagé les biens publics et les infrastructures, perturbé la prestation des services, affaibli davantage le tissu social et exacerbé la pauvreté et la vulnérabilité des populations aux chocs. En conséquence, environ un quart de la population était déplacé ou a dû fuir en tant que réfugié vers les pays voisins. Les déplacements forcés ont perturbé les moyens de subsistance, épuisé les biens des pauvres et mis une pression supplémentaire sur la prestation des services dans les zones de déplacement.

L'amélioration de la situation sécuritaire a suivi un retour volontaire des populations déplacées, principalement dans le nord-ouest et le sud-ouest du pays. Environ 15 à 20% de la population déplacée est revenue spontanément. Toutefois, le retour des personnes déplacées dans les zones d'origine reste fragile et toujours dépend de la volatilité de la situation de sécurité. De ce point de vue, la réintégration des populations déplacées et la mise en place de filets de sécurité sociale est une priorité à court terme et essentielle à la stabilisation et à la revitalisation économique du pays.

À cette fin, après avoir supporté le gouvernement de la RCA dans la phase préparatoire d’un projet visant à appuyer les communautés affectées par le déplacement (PACAD), la Banque mondiale soutient cette fois-ci le gouvernement de la RCA dans la mise en œuvre de ce grand projet qui visera à appuyer l'accès aux services de base, aux infrastructures et aux filets de sécurité aux communautés affectées par le déplacement forcé.

Le projet comme décrit dans sa phase pilote sera principalement mis en œuvre dans quatre (4) villes de province et dans la Capitale, Bangui. Certaines activités seront réalisées dans la phase de mise en œuvre de ce grand projet soit, la construction/réhabilitation des infrastructures structurantes (routes, ponts, gare routière, hôpitaux…) et les infrastructures sociocommunautaires ( écoles, marché, centre de santé, forages et autres).

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