Job Description
Background Information - Job-specific
Mali Programme
Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination, as a result of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.
UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council resolution 2423 (2018). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:
- Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
- Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations;
- Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.
Functional Responsibilities
** Candidates with no UN experience are strongly encouraged to apply!
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.
In line with applicable UN policies and Security Council Mandates, the Project Manager for Support to MINUSMA is responsible for the establishment and development of prevention and mitigation procedures for the management of the explosive threat, including IEDs, to UN personnel, premises and assets.
The Project Manager for Support to MINUSMA will act as the focal point between UNMAS, MINUSMA, and other key stakeholders under the guidance and direction of the UNMAS Senior Programme Manager.
S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:
Stakeholder Management:
- Establish solid working relationship with the 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 Senior Programme Manager and the project(s)
Delivery and Performance:
- Under the direction of the Senior Programme Manager, manage personnel and coordinate activities to mitigate the explosive threat to UN personnel, premises and assets within an allotted budget in order to enable the delivery of the mission mandate and reduce casualties in peacekeeping;
- Develop and maintain project plans
- Contribute to the development of the Programme strategy and workplans;
- Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.
- Actively interact with other project managers and the project management community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;
- Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
- Liaise with appropriate authorities, peacekeeping missions, UN agencies and Programme stakeholders to facilitate the elaboration of project strategies including risk and issue management;
- Advise the Programme Manager of changes or deviations from plans, including through the identification and management of risks and issues, ensuring maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders;
- Ensure timely planning and implementation of the activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed project timeframe and the agreed funding budget;
- Monitor and report, at the strategic and technical level, on the delivery of UNMAS IED Threat Mitigation support to MINUSMA in line with budgeted deliverables;
- Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
- Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;
Additional requirements:
- Any other relevant duties or tasks as identified by the Senior Programme Manager
Procedures:
- Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions)
- Prepare the following reports:
i. Highlight Reports
ii. End Stage Reports
iii. Operational Closure Checklist
iv. End Project Report
v. Handover Report
- Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
- Manage budgets, cash flows, and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
- In close coordination with the Programme Management Team, the Chief of Operations and Head of Support Services, contribute to the elaboration of the Programme Budget;
- Participate in the preparation of various hiring and procurement processes including the development of scope of works, budgets, terms of reference, contracts and all technical requirements for the procurement contracts related to the project;
- 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)
Knowledge Management:
- Maintain a high level of knowledge on International Mine Action Standards, National Technical Standards and Guidelines, UN Standards, applicable Standard Operating Procedures, best practices and other relevant norms applicable to explosive threat mitigation;
- Study and provide analysis on the explosive threat, draw conclusions, and develop innovative solutions to the threat posed by explosives;
- Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice;
- Actively interact with other project managers and the project management 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;
- Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff);
- Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
- 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
i. Understand the project’s place in the UN system
ii. 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 to a supervisor
Excellence
i. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
A. Education
- Master Degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with seven (7) years of relevant experience; or
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with nine (9) years of relevant experience; or
- Military Experience at the Officer level with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.
B. Work Experience
- Relevant experience is defined as experience in project development and management, or experience supporting operations in military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development contexts with public or private sector organizations;
- Two (2) years of experience in managing a team is required;
- Two (2) years of demonstrated experience working directly within the thematic areas of explosive threat mitigation or Mine Action activities is required;
- Experience in project monitoring and reporting is desired;
- Field experience is desired.
**Candidates with no UN experience are strongly encouraged to apply!
C. Languages
English and French are the working languages of the Programme in Mali. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; basic level of French is desired.
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.
