Project Manager

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects on behalf of UN agencies and bilateral donors and in close coordination with the Government and national authorities. With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development and technical management, and provides financial, human resources and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, so as to achieve the outcomes sought by the clients.

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS. 

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing an infrastructure project that entails the design and the construction of water networks, substantive civil works, and the associated electrical and mechanical works. The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and shall provide services to the partners and beneficiaries as per the project agreement. 

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS, while contributing to organization’s performance and delivery goals. 

Under the overall guidance of the Director Amman Operational Hub, and under direct supervision of the Head of Programme, The Project Manager will be 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 requirements of both UNOPS and the client. Success of the Project(s) and hence PM will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. The project relies on a range of external suppliers for its successful delivery and has to follow firm deadlines. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to undertake independently, the below duties and responsibilities:

Technical tasks:

• Study and prepare the scope of works, contracts and all technical requirements of the engineering design in all its phases,
• Study and prepare the scope of works, contracts, budgets, time schedules and all other technical requirements for construction phases,
• Review project designs (water network, structural, and others) in terms of accuracy, suitability to overall design requirements, including identifying improvements in the designs and be able to propose practical solutions and alternatives,
• Review, guide and approve shop drawings presented by contractors during implementation phases. Also, present a methodology to control the scope and reflect the impact of any changes on the project objectives,
• Analyse all project documents, specifications and drawings utilizing research, development, relevant codes and standards as well as good engineering practices,
• Site supervision and giving direction to UNOPS site staff and contractors on all related implementation issues,
• Review and certify the submitted payment certificate,
• Approve submittals and advice on suitable alterations,
• Follow engineering consultants’ and construction contractors’ obligations on site including inspections, testing, quantity surveying…etc,
• Follow up and report on the project objectives and plans including any delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling, and setting performance requirements,
• Advice the constructors/contractors on ways to maximize the efficient resource utilization through procurement of labor, materials and equipment according to the set construction schedules and plans.

Administrative tasks:

• Manage the archiving of engineering and procurement related material/s,
• Ensure scheduling of tasks related to project works at different phases,
• Maintain records, compile and check daily progress reports on construction activities, procurement and others according to the agreed timeframe of works for submission to the Head of Programme on a weekly basis and other periodic reports required by the UNOPS standard procedures,
  • Manage engineering related material archiving,
  • Assist in scheduling requested tasks related to project works at different phases,
  • Perform any other tasks relevant to the infrastructure when required and coordinate with the Regional Infrastructure Advisor.
  • Develop project’s closure procedures in all phases. Perform complete contracts closure and gain formal acceptance, and submit final performance reporting

Monitoring, Progress and Risk Controls

• Organize, participate in and document the weekly Site progress meetings,
• Organize and lead team meetings on a periodic basis,
• Maintaining, accurate, quality and completion documentation as identified in responsibilities above,

• Set up quality management plan, perform quality assurance and perform quality control during all phases of the project,
• Ensure the proper maintenance of equipment, compliance with all codes and adherence to occupational health and safety regulations as per UNOPS requirements,
• Identify and control any environmental risks that can affect the site or the neighboring domestic areas around the site.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the key stakeholders including the beneficiaries and other project partners ,
• Ensure timely organization of Project Board meetings, and advise the project board on issues that may impact the achievement of project deliverables,
• Coordinate and communicate with UNOPS site engineers, community mobilizer and coordinator, retainers and other staff based on clear organization chart and communication plan,
• Develop and share effective communication plans and mechanisms for resolving conflicts among the various project participants,
• Contribute to enhancing ownership of the project by the beneficiaries,
• Manage communication and information flows between the Project Board, client representative and project team,
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to the stakeholders is achieved.

Delivery and Performance:

• Ensure social, gender, and environmental dimensions are well-embedded in 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,
• Authorize Work Packages,
• Advise the Project Board and the Head of Programme of any deviations from the plan,
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• 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 partnership development opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor,
• Identify and report threats to the project and any UNOPS internal business case to supervisor.

Project Management Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions),
• Prepare the following reports:

           i.            Highlight Reports,

          ii.            End Stage Reports,

          iii.            Operational Closure Checklist,

          iv.            End Project Report,

          v.            Close out Report. Being fully informative with Project Management Practices

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required,
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations,
• 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 UNOPS and budget appropriately for personnel,
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice at HQ level,
• Actively interact with other PMs to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System,
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team,
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established,
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted,
• 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.            Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders.

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts,

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

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 the supervisor

• Excellence

• Full proficiency in Arabic and English is required.

• Technical know how of construction, design, contract management, occupational health and safety, planning and management,
• Professionalism,
• Commitment,
• Communication,
• Judgment and Decision Making,
• High organizational skills.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. 
• Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.