Project Manager

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

UNOPS Hub in Amman

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen, in partnership with bilateral donors, national governments, and other UN agencies.  With an established presence across the region, the office runs operations including large-scale procurement, project development, and technical management, and provides financial, human resources, and infrastructure-related services. The functional objective of UNOPS Hub in Amman is to deliver its projects in an efficient and effective manner and in line with the principles, rules and regulations of UNOPS, in order to support the response to the current needs and national priorities in the region. 

The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a fully diverse workforce.

UNOPS is looking to support Labor-intensive Maintenance in Public Areas that focuses on improving the access to quality education with equitable employment opportunities using the Cash for Work modality (CfW) for both Jordanians and Syrian refugees.

The proposed project entails the provision of maintenance works in selected public schools across six governorates in Jordan. This project will not only address the short-term needs in maintenance across the Jordanian Education Sector, but also support the Ministry of Education in Jordan in developing a sustainable school maintenance mechanism. 

Under the overall guidance of the Director Amman Operational Hub, and under direct supervision of the Head of Programme; the Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for all aspects of the project life-cycle in accordance with the Project Document, the legal agreement between UNOPS and the donor, and in compliance with Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions on Project Management.

The PM must be able to undertake independently, the following tasks:

1.    Functional Responsibilities: Technical tasks:

• Ensure timely planning and implementation of the CfW activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed project timeframe and the agreed funding parameters/budget;
• Study and/ or  prepare the scope of works, budgets, terms of reference, contracts and all technical requirements for the procurement contracts of maintenance and cleaning works;
•  Prepare and  analyze  all project documents, and ensure compliance with specifications in accordance with relevant codes and national standards;
• Supervise and control project sites, manage the project team and contractors and coordinate on all related implementation issues;
• Verify the all CfW beneficiaries selected by contractor/s in coordination with UNHCR and relevant authorities (e.g. local councils, Social Development offices, and Employment Offices in the targeted Governorates;
• Advise the contractors on ways to maximize the efficient resource utilization through procurement of labor, materials and equipment according to the set schedules and plans as well as the follow up of these plans ;
• Ensure contractor/s deliver on-the-job training to CfW beneficiaries throughout the project and undertake necessary supervision and control to this effect;
• Develop and follow up the plans for CfW beneficiary database in coordination with ILO and other stakeholders;
• Review and approve monthly progress reports submitted by contractor/s, to also include detail the work accomplished, materials used, and total hours/days worked per the CfW beneficiary;
• Represent the project in the Cash for Work Coordination Working Group and in the Maintenance Steering Committee together with relevant experts from UNOPS and provide inputs as needed.

Administrative tasks:

• Manage proper archiving of all project documents including those related to the project activities, procurement and project management,
• Lead the scheduling of tasks related to project works at different phases and follow up the tasks and reflect the progress on the baseline schedules,
• Maintain records, compile and check daily progress reports on activities, procurement and others according to the agreed timeframe of works for submission to the Head of Programme on a weekly basis and other periodic reports required by the UNOPS standard procedures,
• Undertake project closure in accordance with the UNOPS standard procedures ensuring timely closure of contracts closure, formal acceptance of agreed upon deliverables (including goods and/ or services) by the beneficiary/ies, and submission of the final performance reporting.

Monitoring Progress and Risk Controls

• Organize, participate in and document the daily/weekly site progress meetings;
• Organize and lead team meetings on a periodic basis and follow up on the documented issues;
• Maintain accurate and quality and documentations as identified in responsibilities above,
• Set up quality management plan, perform quality assurance and perform quality control during all phases of the project;
• Monitor and update the project risk register, and escalate any issues and concerns to the management in a timely manner;
• Ensure proper maintenance of equipment, compliance with all codes and adherence to occupational health and safety regulations as per UNOPS requirements;
• Develop and follow up the plan for monitoring and evaluation;
• Identify, control and follow up any environmental risks that can affect the site/s or the neighboring areas around the site/s;
• Identify and manage issues and risks in a timely manner in order to maximize benefits to the stakeholders;
• Follow up and report on the project objectives and plans including any delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling, and setting performance requirements.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish and maintain solid working relationship with the key stakeholders including the beneficiaries and other project partners, but not only limited to the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Social Development, ILO and GIZ and all stakeholders;
• Manage communication and information flows between, and across all stakeholders in a timely manner;
• Advise the Project Board (which consist of UNOPS, KfW and the MoE, and other stakeholders who can be invited as an observer) on issues that may impact the achievement of 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;
• Advise the Project Board on issues that may impact the achievement of project deliverables,
• Coordinate and communicate with UNOPS site engineers, field coordinators  and other personnel based on clear organization chart and communication plan;
• Ensure timely preparation of the progress reports as required by the donor;
• Ensure donor visibility as stipulated in the approved project document/ legal agreement;
• Identify and report any potential partnership development opportunities for UNOPS to Head of Programme and/ or the Partnerships Team.

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans and review/ update those on a monthly/ quarterly basis, as applicable;
• Implement and control 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/s, where necessary;

• Manage and oversee the production of all deliverables taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective actions as needed;
• Review and certify the submitted payment certificates;
• Follow up and approve submittals and advice on suitable alterations;
• Liaise with external suppliers, as well as with all internal units of UNOPS Amman Hub for timely planning and execution of project activities;
• Authorize Work Packages;
• Advise the Project Board and the Head of Programme of any deviations from the plan;
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board;
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers;
• Identify and report threats to the project and any UNOPS internal business case to the Head of Programme.

Project Management Procedures:

• Ensure compliance with UNOPS Project Management Manual (PMM) while fully adhering to the relevant Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions;
• Prepare and follow up the following reports (including but not limited to):

             - Highlight Reports,              - End Stage Reports,
             - Operational Closure Checklist,
             - End Project Report,
             - Closure Report.

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required;
• Being fully informative with Project Management Practices;
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations;
• 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  UNOPS and budget appropriately for personnel,
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports), and ensure project delivery in accordance with the forecast based on work planning.

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice at HQ level;
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge Systems;
• 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:

• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
• Lead, motivate and develop the project management team;
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted in a timely manner;
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the Hub management;
• 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

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

1. Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, and the contribution of the project to the UNDAF;
2. 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.

1. 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 the supervisor

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

            environment, planning and management,

-          Professionalism,

-          Commitment,

-          Communication,

-          Judgment and Decision Making,

-          High organizational skills.

Education: Masters or a Bachelor degree in humanitarian assistance and/ or development studies, business administration and/or project/ programme management, and or civil engineering with demonstrated progressive management experience.         

Work Experience: Minimum experience required for this position is Master’s degree + 7 years of programme/ project management experience including 4 years of progressive experience in managing CfW projects or Bachelor’s degree with 10 years of programme/ project management experience including 4 years of progressive experience in managing CfW projects.

• At least 3 years of experience as Project Manager is required.
• Experience in Cash for Work management including budget responsibility of high volumes is highly desirable.
• Experience with international organization/s and/or UN agencies is an asset.
• Certified Senior Project Manager - International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) or PRINCE2 foundation is an asset.
• High proficiency with computers in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Internet, MS Project, and other related software related to the positions field of expertise.

Other requirements

• Ability to develop clear goals, independently plan and prioritize own work, work well under tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities.
• Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good report writing and oral presentation skills.
• Commitment, efficiency, flexibility and willingness to work in a highly motivated team of professionals.
• Ability to adapt to difficult working environment, under pressure and with limited timeframes, and to exercise initiative and resourcefulness necessary for prioritizing multiple tasks.
• Ability to travel to and within Jordan’s governorates.

Languages: Excellent command of Arabic and English language is required. 

Contract type: LICA Specialist  Contract level: LICA 10
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA- Open ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.
• 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.