Programme Manager

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our 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.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

UNOPS is leading an initiative under the name of Evidence Based Infrastructure (EBI) in collaboration with Oxford University with the aim of supporting governments in their objective of adapting their management of infrastructures in a way that will be resilient to the different changes that the countries will face in the coming future, from the effects of climate change to changing economies. The overall outcome should support decision makers in the allocation of resources in a strategic and optimized manner moving away from the silo approach that does not take into consideration the interlink between each infrastructure and consideration of infrastructure system.

Currently, UNOPS is providing a Technical Assistance (TA) to the Ministry of Traffic, Transportation and Urban Planning (MTTUP) on different areas related to technical aspects of the ministries portfolio, as well as organizational aspects, ensuring that resilience principles are embedded in each activity. The approach proposed by UNOPS includes activities that have been identified during the different scoping missions as well as the launch of the Evidence Based Infrastructure initiative. This will lead to a holistic understanding of what is required on the short, medium and long term and what best strategy to use.

The current position relates to managing the above project in Curacao as well as all the EBI initiatives under the Caribbean Portfolio. Discussions are well advanced for similar projects in St Lucia and St Vincent.

The Programme manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and will provide services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

The Programme manager ensures that the project(s) produce(s) the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Programme manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case(s). He/She will contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

The programme 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:

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:
• Highlight Reports
• End Stage Reports
• Operational Closure Checklist
• End Project Report
• 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 Programme 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
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)

Personnel Management: if applicable

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioral 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.

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

• Advanced University Degree (Master´s degree) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Civil Engineering, Architecture or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• Project management certification is an asset

b. Work Experience

Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination of projects that include planning, design and construction of infrastructure.

c. Language

Fluency in English (Understand, Speak and Write) is a requirement

Knowledge of Dutch is an asset

• 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.