Project Manager

This road rehabilitation project will take place in the Central African Republic (CAR). CAR is a highly fragile country with a history of recurrent conflict, the most recent of which took place in 2013 between multiple armed groups. The violence that followed the 2013 crisis greatly damaged public assets and infrastructure, disrupted service delivery, and further weakened the social fabric, and exacerbated people’s poverty and vulnerability to shocks.

Improving a critical mass of rural road connectivity links in agricultural production basins could unlock some of the unrealized potential of agriculture in CAR. The Northeast Basin has been prioritized because of its extreme isolation, with a particular focus on the main access route of this region (Kaga-Bandoro-Ndele-Birao), totaling approximately 680 km. This road is part of a regional corridor linking CAR to Sudan.

The Government of the Central African Republic (CAR) has secured support and funding from the World Bank to implement this road rehabilitation project. The Government of the Central African Republic, represented by the Ministry of Public Works and Road Maintenance (MTPER) has designated UNOPS for the design and implementation of Phase 1 of the Rural Connectivity Project, specifically in the area / North-Eastern basin of the Central African Republic for emergency works on the reopening of the Ndélé-Birao National Road No. 8 section and the consolidation of the same road of the Kaga Bandoro-Mbrès-Ndélé section. This project is referred to as the North East Rural Connectivity Project

Located in Kinshasa, DRC the UNOPS office in Central Africa covers the DRC, CAR, RC, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. The office has developed strong working relations with the international partners, UN agencies including UN Missions and Governments of Central Africa over the years. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas including infrastructure rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management and sectoral advisory services; peace and security, environmental preservation and protection among others

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the main project phase. Through the provision of operational and capacity building services to the government ministries, NGO and consulting partners/stakeholders and to local beneficiary communities. He/she will provide the strategic vision of the office, play a key advisory role to the government, and ensure that the project results are delivered on time and to a high standard.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The PM will be directly supervised by the Head of Office (HoO) in CAR, under the overall direction of the CDOH Head of Programme based in DRC

 Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The Project Manager is responsible for producing/reviewing the project initiation documents (PID) and all other background document, the Legal Agreement and for having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project’s products meet the business cases for UNOPS, the government client(s), and the funder. Also the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of project implementation and day-to-day operations (aligned with work plan) toward successful project completion. Success of the Project(s) and hence of the Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders;
• Work closely with the national and local authorities and ensure they are fully implicated during each stage of the project;
• Help build the national capacity of national and local government officials by involving them in the project design, planning and implementation and monitoring activities of the project;
• Ensure that national authorities play a central role in decision making processes which should be well documented; 
• 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)

• Manage the information flows between the Technical Committee, the Project Board, HoO & HoP and the project team;

Project 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, social 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 HoO 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:

1. Highlight Reports (Monthly)

2. End Stage Report

3. Operational Closure Checklist

4. End Project Report

5. 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 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:

• Manage and mentor the National Deputy Project Coordination and build up his/her capacity so that he/she is able to lead the project into its second phase;
• Manage and mentor associated ministerial partner-personnel;
• 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 HoO and HoP
• 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:

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles:

I.       Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

II.      Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

III.     Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity:

I.      Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

II.     Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

III.    Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

Partnerships and Coordination:

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

II.     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

Accountability for results and the use of resources:

I.      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

Operational Excellence:

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

Coordination:

• Coordinate Technical Committees and Project Board to ensure review, inputs, feedback and approvals/alignment with government/ministerial partners, consultants undertaking studies, UNOPS staff and World Bank managers on project issues, deliverable progress, and results for the success of the project. 
• Coordinate UNOPS staff, ministerial staff, consultants, and stakeholders for efficient capacity building and operational support activities.
• Coordinate pilot project and its local and national government partners, NGO and beneficiary population representative stakeholders;
• Coordinate project staff, Government partners, World Bank project managers and study consultants/firms during studies activities to ensure alignment and successful implementation.

Coordination of Procurement of goods and services:

• Coordinates strategic Planning, implementation and oversight of procurement of goods and services in coordination with the CDOH procurement unit
• Develops and maintains the strategic role of procurement in provision of cost effective and efficient supply and service solutions that contribute to achievement of broader office and organizational objectives.
• Adheres to tools and guidelines to assist customer units/portfolios in procurement activities. Ensures that risk assessments are undertaken as needed particularly for large value procurement contracting in consultation with relevant business owner.
• Supports the Procurement Advisor to secure compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules & Regulations, General Terms & Conditions, and Auditor's recommendations/ observations in all procurement activities.
• Supports in preparations of all Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposal, Award Recommendations above $50K, CPC Submissions (HQCPC/LCPC) and Contracts.
• Coordinates development of procurement plans and strategies for the project
• Supports in overseeing adherence to contractual agreements, recommend amendments and contract extensions, advise concerned parties with respect to contractual rights/obligations;
• Assists in development and maintenance of appropriate supplier performance management system.

Monitoring and Progress Controls:

• Ensure that the project(s) 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 in Civil Engineering, Project Management, or other relevant discipline is required.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, Project Management or other international development relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Desirable

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management is required.
• Solid experience managing large integrated programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight is desirable.
• Solid experience of managing, or having a worked in a senior position with  a large multi-donor fund is desirable
• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, multilateral donors, Non-governmental organizations, and with public sector is required
• Working experience and knowledge and in Central Africa will be a strong asset, previous experience in Africa will also be an asset
• Experience and understanding of working in fragile states is an asset
• Experience of sector wide approaches in post conflict contexts, social service infrastructure and local development sector will be an asset.
• Managing previous WB-funded projects would be considered a strong asset

Fluency in both French and English is required.

• 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.