Project Manager

UN Electric is a new and UN led long term initiative, focused on electrification projects for foreign aid organizations and fragile and small island states. It is led by UN Environment and UNOPS and is composed of a single central joint unit and multiple UNOPS led country projects and programmes, in line with the UN Environment and UNOPS corporate structure.

The UN Electric Haiti I project

Haiti has been selected as one of the first countries for rollout of the UN Electric model. The first freestanding project to be implemented under the model will be UN Electric Haiti I.  This project has been developed through a revision of an existing UN Environment managed project: Haiti Sustainable Energy II and focuses mainly on the support of a cooperative-owned mini-grid in the South of Haiti. 

The project will operate within the emerging UN Electric country level framework. It will a) deliver several grant funded subsidized and donated services at the local and national level and b) Implement a small technical trial for the cost-recovery services, c) contribute on a small scale to mobilization of the overall UN Electric initiative, through supporting work on communications and financial and technical tools.

In technical terms, UN Electric Haiti I is a highly complex electrical engineering project. The project infrastructure will include medium voltage distribution networks, smart metering, diesel generator banks, solar photovoltaics, lithium batteries, hybrid mini-grid energy management systems and online equipment monitoring systems.

The Project Manager will have the overall responsibility for the successful implementation of the project within the approved framework of authority, s/he will perform one or more areas describe below”

The responsibilities include but are not limited to:  

• Establishing solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders;
• The management of communication and ensuring stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions. Advising the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance and audits);
• Developing and maintaining project plans; managing the procurement of the required products and equipment, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary; advising the Project Board of any deviations from the plan; identifying and managing risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved; monitoring and evaluating performance of service providers; 
• Advise the project donor 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.

To obtain detailed information on position functions, please review attached Terms of Reference

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) is required. Preferably in Electrical Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Engineering or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

 Certification on Project Management is desired (such as PRINCE2, PMI etc.).

 Experience

• Between 5 and 7 years of experience (depending on academic credentials) in project development and management of energy related projects.
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary experts and managing diverse team(s)is required;
• Experience in managing projects in the international development field is highly desirable.
• Experience in implementing project in fragile/post-disaster contexts is highly desirable;
• Experience in renewable off-grid systems will be considered an asset
• Experience in monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations will be considered an asset

Language
Excellent command in oral and written of English and French is required, additional languages will be consider an asset.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time or 6:00 PM Haiti 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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.

Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types.