Project Manager (Military Stipends)

Somalia Office:

The UNOPS Somalia Office presently manages a significant portfolio of projects in Somalia and has its direct representational and oversight functions in Somalia, while maintaining a technical and administrative support capacity at the hub level in Nairobi. UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes. In order to provide political, development and security assistance in Somalia, the international community’s contributions were brought together under the New Deal framework, endorsed at the Brussels conference on September 7, 2013.

The framework sets out 5 Peace and State building goals (thematic areas) against which all international efforts are to be aligned, coordinated by the FGS, UN and donor steering groups. In keeping with the New Deal framework, UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

Job Specific

Police and Military Stipends Two of the largest of UNOPS-Somalia programmes included the distribution of stipends to the Somali National Police and the Somali National Army (SNA). Both are considered critical by the international community for promoting stability. The stipends programmes are a part of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and fall within the second of the Peace and State building Goals (PSGs): “Establish unified, capable, accountable and rights-based Somali federal security institutions, providing basic security for its citizens.” Complementary to the stipends programmes is the bio-metric registration of the police and military. Registration of police and military personnel promotes accountability and transparency and is crucial for building the Somali government’s capacity in terms of improved financial and personnel management.

He/she is responsible for managing the performance of his/her team, composed of six international personnel who are tasked to set-up the stipends project process and execute accordingly. The team consists of two mentors who train and coach local SNA staff to execute the payments, one IT specialist, one logistical expert, one senior programme specialist and a project support officer.

The Project Manager is responsible for carefully reviewing the project initiation documents (PID), having a complete understanding of the Legal Agreement(s) and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to meet the objectives for UNOPS and the client/ donor.

The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. You must be able to apply, under the direct supervision of the HOP and secondary supervision of the Country Director, the below duties and responsibilities:

Success of the project(s) will be based on the set criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle as defined by UNOPS’ adherence to the PRINCE2 methodology. He/she must be able to apply independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders;
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are up-to-date on project activities, progress, risks and ultimately are in a position to accept the handover of the programme or sign-off on the closing of the project;
• Advise the stakeholders on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements), and;
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board, Country Director and the Head of Implementation.

Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within limits set by the Project Board;
•  Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.
• Manage the payment of stipends in consultation with the Head of Implementation, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Advise the Project Board and Country Manager of any deviations from the plan that will affect the operational success of the project;
• Identify and manage risks;
• Manage and review product quality; and
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS.
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to HOP/Country Director

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions). Consult with the Head of Implementation for any guidance required.
• Prepare or adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board
• I. Project Initiation Documentation; 
• II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
• Supervise the project support officer in the preparation of required reports within agreed upon time frames
• 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/personnel are received on time.
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project
• Manage expenditures and be accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports);
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, he/she retains these responsibilities and will monitor and delegate 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 the Head of Implementation on implementation policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies; and
• Document lessons learned as per UNOPS requirements and incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

Personnel Management:

• Ensure safety and security of staff and adhere to safety protocols as defined by UNOPS-Somalia Field Security Officer
• Lead and motivate the project management team;
• Ensure that expectations of team members are established and respected;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the Country Director;
• Develop a thorough understanding of UNOPS’s personnel contract modalities;
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Ensure that the project produces the required outcomes within the agreed upon limitations of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits.   

Key Competencies

• Ability to meet tight schedules in a very stressful environment and varied cultural context;
• Knowledge and capacity to manage and supervise staff in the execution of the project, adhering to professional and accurate project management and documentation standards;
• Flexibility and ability to quickly grasp complex structures;
• Excellent team player attitude and an ability to build consensus amongst staff, peers and the greater UN community;
• Ability to perform with professionalism, integrity and commitment to project demands;
•  Ability to work accurately, control quality and multi-task within the structure of dual reporting lines;
• Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines;
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written; and
• Advanced user level with software’s such as MS project, MS Office and other relevant software

Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Project Manager directly impacts the efficient and effective management of financial resources in projects and operations, demonstrating UNOPS’ effective stewardship of donor and partner funds. He/she is also responsible for the project producing a result within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope and risk capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business case/s contributing to the overall business targets and needs. These promote the credibility of the organization as an effective service provider in project services and management.

• Advanced University Degree (Master's) in Project Management, Business Administration with an emphasis Finance and/or Public Management, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Criminology, Law or other relevant discipline, or    

• University Degree (Bachelor’s / first level) with a combination of two ( 2)  additional years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/ Security/ Development Studies, Criminology, Law or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certification:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant progressive experience in project/operational management in either public/private or international organizations is required.

• At least one (1) year experience in a conflict or post-conflict setting is required.

• At least three (3) years operational experience in security sector i.e. military, police, coast guard, fire and rescue services is required.

• At least two (2) years personnel management experience/skills is required.

• Stakeholder management experience is highly distinct.

• Experience in Rule of Law, Stipends, Public finance and electronic/telephone funds transfer will be an asset.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Working knowledge of additional UN or regional languages is considered an asset.

Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) 
Contract level: IICA 3 (ICS 11)

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA- Open-ended, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability.

• 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.
• Mogadishu is a Non- Family Duty Station
• 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.

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.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.


Somalia:

UNOPS Somalia Country Office (SOCO) has had a solid and continuous in-country expert presence successfully implementing programs since the mid-1990s, where it is currently undertaking various projects and initiatives in close collaboration with the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), Federal Member States (FMS) and partners from the global donor community. UNOPS’ projects in Somalia focus on several key sectors that include infrastructure development, institutional capacity building, project management, advisory services, and procurement services. These projects cut across multiple sectors, including education, healthcare, national security, law enforcement, immigration services, justice, transport, and public works among others. UNOPS work in Somalia is geared towards driving growth and development in the country, a process that requires developing a close relationship with the FGS and the other development partners. Through its involvement in Somalia’s development process, UNOPS is providing transparent and accountable solutions in the country’s state and nation-building process. In addition, UNOPS is also committed to implementing the United Nations Strategic Framework Somalia 2017 – 2020, with the aim of helping Somalia achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. UNOPS work within the context of these commitments means that the projects it implements in Somalia are specifically designed to provide long-term solutions in the country, leading to sustainable and inclusive growth.

What drives us is a passion to fight inequalities and to provide opportunities to those most vulnerable. This means we often work in the most challenging environments, building foundations for communities to function and people to live with dignity and respect.

To succeed here, he/she need to be able to combine creativity with the organizational skills to manage numerous different projects to tight deadlines simultaneously, as well as working with the different units to meet their expectations.