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Project Manager

Beirut

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Beirut
  • Grade: Junior level - LICA-8, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Project and Programme Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - UNOPS

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.

 Background Information – 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.



Background Information - Job-specific

Lebanon’s pledge to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 includes the commitment to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. Within this framework, UNICEF is implementing in the country its Inclusive Education Pilot Programme in 30 public schools as well as the child protection policy in schools.

UNOPS is supporting UNICEF in the implementation of its 2019 Education Programme in Lebanon. UNOPS will be responsible for activities related to UNICEF Inclusive and Child Protection projects, including procurement of educational materials, and provision of HR and transactional services (including events management, and processing payments of fees on behalf of UNICEF).

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Programme in Amman, and under the direct supervision of the Officer in Charge in Lebanon; 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 Project’s activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed project timeframe and the agreed funding parameters/budget;
  • Prepare and  analyze  all project documents, ensure compliance and coordinate on all related implementation issues;
  • Organize and manage trainings, workshops, awareness sessions and other similar events in Lebanon. Liaise with and support the operations team as needed;
  • Processing of payments. Liaise with and support the Finance Team for the cash disbursement and processing of fees;
  • HR services. Liaise with and support the HR Team for the contract administration of pre-selected personnel and related entitlements;
  • Procurement. Liaise with and support the procurement team for the procurement of school material;
  • Represent the project in the relevant Coordination Working Group meetings 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 progress reports on activities, procurement and others according to the agreed timeframe of works for submission to the Head of Programme on a monthly 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 and submission of the final performance reporting.

Monitoring Progress and Risk Controls

  • Organize and document project progress 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;
  • Develop and follow up the plan for monitoring and evaluation;
  • 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 UNICEF as a key stakeholder and other project partners;
  • Manage communication and information flows between, and across all stakeholders in a timely manner;
  • Advise the on issues that may impact the achievement of project deliverables;
  • Coordinate and communicate with UNOPS relevant units in the project implementation and other personnel based on clear organization chart and communication plan;
  • Ensure timely preparation of the progress reports as required by the donor;
  • 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);
  • 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;
  • Liaise with external suppliers, as well as with all internal units of the Amman Hub for timely planning and execution of project activities;
  • Advise the Officer in Charge and the Head of Programme of any deviations from the plan;
  • Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones);
  • Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers;
  • Identify and report threats to the project and any UNOPS internal business case to the Officer in Charge and 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 informed 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:

  • Support the selection, recruitment and training of team members as required by project plans and as requested;
  • 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

          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, and the contribution of the project to the UNDAF;

        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 the supervisor

  • Excellence

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

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional competencies

-          Planning and Management;

-          Professionalism;

-          Commitment;

-          Communication;

-          Judgment and Decision Making;

-          High organizational skills.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in humanitarian assistance and/ or development studies, business administration, project and/or programme management, or another relevant field is required with demonstrated progressive management experience.         
  • Work Experience: Minimum experience required for this position is Master’s Degree with at least 2 years of relevant programme/project management experience, or Bachelor’s Degree with at least 5 years of relevant programme/ project management experience. In addition:
  • At least 2 years of experience as a Project Manager in HR and/or procurement related projects is a requirement;
  • Demonstrated competence in all aspects of project planning and management, including application of all aspects of results-based management/project cycle management is a requirement;
  • Ability to develop clear goals, independently plan and prioritize own work, work well under tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent activities;
  • Experience with an international organization 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;
  • Full proficiency in Arabic and English is required; knowing of French 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;
  • 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 within Lebanon.
  • Excellent command of Arabic and English language is required. Knowledge of French is an advantage

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: LICA 8
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

Additional Considerations

  • 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.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • 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
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.
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