Project Coordinator, Multiple positions

Following the devastating earthquakes of 2015, UNOPS has been deeply engaged in various activities supporting the government of Nepal in the assessment of damaged buildings and enrollment of beneficiaries into housing grant schemes. UNOPS is expanding its footprint in post-earthquake reconstruction and aims to support homeowners engaged in the reconstruction process. These projects aim to provide Socio-Technical assistance to individual households, develop innovative approaches to retrofitting of earthquake damaged houses and to provide services to the most vulnerable households to ensure no-one is left behind. 

Project Management Support

Project Implementation

• S/he will manage all operations for the smooth running of the housing recovery programme. Coordinating with the project implementation partners, engineers, social mobilisers, builder trainers and district leads in the field. Operations will include, but not be limited to:
• Coordination and management of materials and goods;
• Field level representation and coordination amongst all actors; INGO’s, local NGO’s, community platforms, local authorities etc;
• Transportation, warehousing and inventory;
• Distribution of construction materials;
• Safety and Security of site and field staff;
• Notify PM on anticipated delays or any operations related issues arises;
• General operations troubleshooting proposed creative solutions to issues that come up in the field, with regard to contractors, suppliers, community coordination and participation, security issues;
• Responsible for timely delivery of the expected outputs in relations to operations;
• Supervise all relevant administrative and operational efforts of the project under the earthquake recovery process, this include the overseeing of daily wage payments and training stipends, forecasting for operational advances, taking on the responsibility of operational advances, reconcilling them (with relevant admin personnel);
• Manage all staff in the Earthquake recovery housing programmes; this includes UNOPS managed but non-contracted field personnel;
• Coordinate the appropriate use of project equipment; final responsibility lies with the coordinator for with assets given out to this component of the project, equipment like generators, power tools, vehicle management, machinery and equipment rented out to the project;
• Collaborate with the PM in the preparation of procurement plans for the project;
• Collaborate with the project partners and UNOPS logistics with regard to movement of Staff and Materials in the field;
• Be part of the project planning when deciding implementation locations;
• Prepare Movement plans in collaboration with respective parties;
• Travel to respective field project sites is expected.

Coordination and Liaison

• Coordinate and Liaise with PM on the progress of operational issues;
• Coordinate and maintain close contact with relevant parties in the UNOPS NPOC operations unit;
• Coordinate and Liaise with various partners/agencies involved in the Earthquake recovery housing programmes;
• Be the focal point for all operational matters for the Earthquake recovery housing programmes in NPOC;

Monitoring and Reporting

The Project Coordinator will report to the Project Manager.

• Weekly operations updates at the central operations meetings;
• Weekly operations reports;
• Monthly-consolidated report on operational progress;

Project Completion

• Assist the PM in the preparation of project completion reports and ensure compliance with contractual obligations;
• If required, assist in drafting Terminal report and ToR for an independent project evaluation;
• Assist in assessing different phases of project implementation and share “lessons learned” with the Project Team/Staff and Management;

Security

• Health and safety focal point, first responder;
• Focal point for all security related issues for the Earthquake recovery housing programmes;
• Liaise with UNDSS and PM when planning missions to areas outside Kathmandu;
• Coordinate security for all cash movements in collaboration with the Security Focal point  and other field staff;
• Provide inputs and suggestions to streamline workflows/business processes and document templates/formats;

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Escalate issues to PM when needed. Issue Exception reports on an as needed basis to formally report significant variations from the project plans or when a control is of tolerance;
• Prepare regular Highlight reports to update progress, challenges, issue resolution and next stage plans

Final Product

Report directly to the PM and work closely with other Coordinators and support staff. 

Education

• Bachelor degree in management, administration, social science, engineering or related field  is required;
• Master’s degree in relevant discipline is desired and may substitute for some of the year of experience.

Work Experience

Required:

• Minimum 4 years relevant professional experience specifically in the field of operations, logistics, procurement and management;
• Experience in running complex projects in rural Nepal;
• Proven experience managing cash transactions;
• Experience in working in complex environments ;
• Experience in managing informal contractors, skilled and unskilled workers.

Desirable:

• Prior UNOPS or UN experience an asset (for knowledge of procedures)
• Prior experience in the homeowner driven housing construction approaches
• Training in first aid: first responder, trauma or equivalent 

Language

• Proficiency in English and Nepali is required

• This post is only open for candidates who are nationals of Nepal
• 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.