Project Manager

Peace and Security Centre

The UNOPS Peace and Security Centre (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Centre is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.
 It is headed by the Centre Director who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Centre on behalf of its clients.

The Mine Action Programme of Afghanistan (MAPA), the world’s largest mine action programme, was established in 1989 to make Afghanistan safe from the threat of mines and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). After the fall of the Taliban in 2002, the Government of Afghanistan entrusted interim responsibility for mine action to the United Nations. In 2008, the Government assigned the Directorate for Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) under the Afghan National Disaster Management Authority (ANDMA) to work collaboratively with UNMAS.

In 2012, UNMAS begun to transfer coordination and operational responsibilities to the DMAC and in 2016 the operational capacity within UNMAS transitioned to support and advise the DMAC. This gradual transfer toward full national ownership will continue into 2018.

Dual reporting lines: the incumbent of this position will report to UNMAS Chief of Programme Planning and Management Section, and ultimately to UNMAS Director on designing and implementing field programmes in accordance with UNMAS mandate and strategy, and will report to Director, PSC on operational management, efficient/effective use of resources and compliance against the UN and UNOPS rules and regulations.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish, maintain, and cultivate solid working relationship with the main stakeholders: DMAC, the Government of Afghanistan, the UN Country Team, the Security Management Team, UNMAS New York, and UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster in New York
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Advise UNMAS 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)
• Represents UNMAS Afghanistan at UN Country Team and Security Management Team Meetings.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to other UN agencies and partners when requested.
• Act as focal point for the provision of support to Directorate of Mine Action Coordination (DMAC) and the Government of Afghanistan in reaching its obligations under the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty by providing support from within UNMAS Afghanistan where possible, or sourcing it externally (including supporting resource mobilization to cover costs) where not available.

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans related to the full transfer of responsibilities from UNMAS Afghanistan to DMAC
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into regarding capacity building activities related to the eventual transfer of management functions in any future project phase
• Assist the Afghan Government in developing priorities and to manage the production of the work programmes, quarterly reports, annual accounts and annual reports on all pillars of mine action to the respective authorities, donors and other international partners, and UN Agencies
• 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
• Oversee the Capacity Assessment of DMAC and support the implementation of the work-plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Capacity Assessment (aimed to ensuring that DMAC has sufficient capacity for the finalization of the transfer of the programme from UNMAS Afghanistan to DMAC in September 2018
• Support DMAC with resource mobilization for the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan.
• Support the Government in ensuring that that all mine action activities are implemented in accordance with the current UN Inter Agency Mine Action Strategy, and the Afghanistan Mine Action Standards (AMAS)
• Advise the national institutions relevant to Mine Action on coordination mechanisms and maintenance of relationships with local administrations and organisations charged with mine action related issues.
• Participate in the integration and co-ordination and support in the overall framework of the mine action programme that support the achievements of capacity building.

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 and documents:

                                i. Highlight Reports

                               ii. End Stage Reports

                              iii. Operational Closure Checklist

                              iv.  End Project Report

                               v.  Handover Report

                              vi.  Letter of Agreement (LOA)

                             vii.  Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)

• 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 UNMAS budgets, cash flow, 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:

• Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place
• Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans
• Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff
• Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

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

• 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

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

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

• Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience OR
• First level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent)  in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience

• Relevant experience is defined as progressively responsible experience in project development and management, with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development, and coordination, in either public or private sector organizations
• Within relevant experience, a minimum of two years’ experience in humanitarian and/or victim assistance programmes, in one or more countries, at the strategic and management level is required
• Project Management formal training or recognized international certification standards such as Prince2 or Project Management Professional is required
• Knowledge of the Ottawa Treaty is desirable
• Knowledge of mine action and the international mine action standards is desirable
• Experience in conflict or post-conflict environments is desirable

• Fluency in English (reading, writing and speaking) is required
• Knowledge of another official UN language is desired.

• 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.

 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.