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.

Background Information – 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 – Yemen

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has caused significant disruptions to the supply chain and to the overall availability of services across all sectors. UNOPS is undertaking a project that aims at increasing access to primary and secondary health services in Yemen. The project aims to restore the physical infrastructure of facilities including general hospitals, local health centres, and therapeutic feeding centres through rehabilitation, maintenance works and minor repairs, in the targeted areas. In addition, UNOPS will be providing priority medical equipment and supplies to these targeted facilities along with training on the use of the medical equipment to the staff of the rehabilitated health facilities.

UNOPS is undertaking a project that aims at increasing access to primary and secondary health services facilities (general hospitals, local health centers, and therapeutic feeding centers) in Yemen, through restoring the physical infrastructure of health facilities (rehabilitation, maintenance works and minor repairs) in targeted areas.

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 Project’s 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 design, rehabilitation and procurement of medical equipment and supplies phases;

• Prepare and  analyze  all project documents, and ensure compliance with specifications in accordance with relevant codes and national standards as well as good engineering practices;
• Review project designs (buildings architecture, structural, external works and electro-mechanical works) in terms of accuracy, suitability to overall design requirements, including identifying improvements in the designs and be able to propose practical solutions and alternatives. In addition, the PM is responsible to submit the final designs to the Design Review team at UNOPS HQ and obtain the Design Review Certificate.

• Support  and guide the procurement department in preparing the needed documents, specifications and contracts during all the phases of the project;

• Review, guide and approve shop drawings presented by contractors during implementation phases, and present a methodology to control the scope and reflect the impact of any changes on the project objectives;

• Supervise and control project site, manage the project team and contractors and coordinate on all related implementation issues;
• Review and certify the submitted payment certificate;
• Approve submittals and advice on suitable alterations;
• Follow up with the design engineering consultants’ and rehabilitation contractors’ obligations on site including inspections, testing, quantity surveying…etc.;
• Follow up and report on the project objectives and plans including any delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling, and setting performance requirements;
• 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;

• 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 beneficiary.

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 time-frame 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;
• Advice 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 neighbouring 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 KfW, 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 other stakeholders and beneficiaries 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 as needed;

• 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 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 any potential partnership development opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor,
• Identify and report threats to the project and any UNOPS internal business case to supervisor.

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;
• 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 behavioural 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

• Partnerships and Coordination

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.

Education:

• Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture, with demonstrated progressive and relevant project management experience.
• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Humanitarian Assistance, Development Studies, Business Administration and/or Project/ Programme Management, with demonstrated progressive and relevant project management experience.   

• At least 5 years of experience as a Project Manager is a requirement;
• At least 3 years of experience as a project manager of buildings’ construction /rehabilitation projects is required;
• 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; 
• 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;
• 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
• Fluency in Arabic and English languages is required.

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

1. Contract type ICA
2. Contract level : LICA 10
3. 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.
• 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.