The Infrastructure Advisor is responsible for ensuring the technical compliance and quality of UNOPS infrastructure engagements. Guided by the Head of Programme (HoP) and working with Project Managers, the Advisor monitors project teams to ensure all infrastructure products meet the expectations and requirements of UNOPS, clients, and donors.
In addition to responsibilities for Quality Assurance, Design and Procurement Oversight, Project and Programme Management, and Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) compliance, the Advisor - working closely with the Country Director, Head of Programme, and partnerships colleagues - provides strategic leadership for the identification and development of new infrastructure opportunities. This includes ensuring alignment with corporate, regional, and country strategies. A core function of the role is to deliver technical leadership and guidance on all new infrastructure proposals, ensuring they are technically sound, compliant with UNOPS requirements, responsive to stakeholder expectations, and appropriately resourced in terms of scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and quality management.
The Advisor also champions the mainstreaming of sustainable, resilient, and inclusive principles across all UNOPS infrastructure initiatives, coordinating closely with the Regional Infrastructure Advisor and the HQ Strategic Initiatives team to ensure coherence and impact.
Quality Assurance, Design, and Procurement Oversight
Support the conduct of overall quality control of works and ensure compliance with UNOPS’ quality standards.
Counter-sign all statements of works advancements issued by companies and undersigned by the project managers and site supervisors.
Review product quality and ensure products are accepted.
Specific support to design management, including design review, in order to manage risks related to quality, cost, and time.
Specific support to the procurement of infrastructure-related activities, in order to manage risks related to quality, cost and time.
Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers.
Project & Programme Management
Ensure that projects are in line with UNOPS procedures and requirements defined by HQ and supported by the AFCO Programme Management Office (PMO).
Provide surge capacity and temporarily take on the Project Manager role for infrastructure projects, should the PM and deputy be unavailable, including during project closure stages.
Ensure approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) remain within tolerances set by project boards.
In conjunction with Project Managers, facilitate the production of required products, monitoring progress and use of resources and, in consultation with the HoP, initiating corrective action where necessary.
Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental (HSSE)
Monitor and support Health, Safety, Social, and Environmental aspects in UNOPS offices and projects, in liaison with the HQ HSE team, Regional office HSSE Specialist, and AFCO HSSE colleagues
Strategic Alignment and Advisory
Collaborate with HoP and partnerships team to ensure all proposals are aligned with AFCO strategy, as well as UNOPS requirements, partner expectations, and have sufficient resources and planning to be implemented effectively
Provide technical evaluations and analysis to enable senior management and stakeholders to make informed decisions.
Advise the HoP on all infrastructure related matters and any deviations from project/programme plans.
Knowledge Management and Innovation
Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.
Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices on the Knowledge System.
Strengthen AFCO knowledge and culture of UNOPS infrastructure approach through regular knowledge sharing events and platforms
Contribute to regional knowledge sharing activities where appropriate
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, and take the lead on Lessons Learnt workshops related to infrastructure and infrastructure projects in AFCO.
