Project Manager

Baghdad

Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
Location: Baghdad
Grade: Mid level - LICA-10, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
- Managerial positions
Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The UNOPS Hub in Amman implements projects on behalf of UN agencies and bilateral donors and in close coordination with the Government and national authorities. 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, to achieve the outcomes sought by the clients.

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.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

UNOPS is undertaking a project that aims to protect and promote the Iraqi cultural heritage, through the renovation of the Sumerian Gallery of the Iraq museum in Baghdad.

The project will support Iraq in its efforts towards the realization of Agenda 2030 and more specifically contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11 “Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, by strengthening efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural heritage.

UNOPS will be responsible for undertaking the following, but not limited to:

Interventions on the air conditioning systems of the hall, to make it suitable for the new layout;
Upgrading of the electrical system and the monitoring system TVCC (closed-circuit cameras);
Design and preparation of the space for the exhibition, including gypsum boards and metal skeletons for the internal partition of the hall and the creation of the didactical/ exhibition path;
Procurement and installation of show cabinets, security system and burglar- resistant doors, and illumination system;
General painting and preparation of the floor.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:
Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel management

Under the overall guidance of the Director Amman Operational Hub, under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, and in close coordination with the Iraq Programme Advisor; 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 Project Management Manual (PMM) as well as the Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions on Project Management.

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

Project Delivery and Performance

Ensure the preparation and delivery of all the project’s elements and activities mentioned in the project document/ legal agreement.
Ensure timely planning and implementation of the project’s activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed scope of work, timeframe (schedule) and the agreed funding parameters (budget).
Study and/ or prepare the scope of works, budgets, terms of reference, contracts and all technical requirements of the engineering design and renovation phases;
Prepare and analyse 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. Also, the PM is responsible to submit the final designs to the Design Review team at UNOPS HQ and obtain the Design Review Certificate.
Review, guide and approve plans/drawings presented by consultant/ contractor during implementation phases (design and renovation), and present a methodology to control the scope and reflect the impact of any changes on the project objectives.
Follow up with the design engineering consultants’ and renovation contractors’ obligations on site including inspections, testing, quantity surveying, etc.
Review and approve monthly progress reports submitted by consultant/ contractor to also include detail the work accomplished, materials used, and total hours/days worked per the beneficiary.
Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s) on a monthly/ quarterly basis, as applicable.

Implement the approved plan (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 span.
Manage and oversee the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

Ensure PSEA measures are implemented within the project, and as per the country PSEA action plan.

Liaise with any external suppliers/contractors as well as as with all internal units of UNOPS Amman Hub for timely planning and execution of project activities;
Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly
Control project and work packages changes
Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

Procedures

Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual
Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.
Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan
Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS 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 the UN and budget appropriately for personnel
Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

2. Monitoring and reporting

Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
Ensure gender aspects are mainstreamed throughout the project life cycle. This includes, but is not limited to, preparation, implementing, monitoring and reporting on actions related to the project gender action plan (GAP) as needed as well as updating the GAP as required;
Maintain proper maintenance of equipment, compliance with all codes and adherence to Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental (HSSE) regulations as per UNOPS requirements;
Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

3. Stakeholder engagement

Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), donorand key stakeholders including the beneficiaries and other project partners, but not only limited to the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS); Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Public Works (MoHCPC), and all relevant stakeholders.
Advise the Project Board (which consist of UNOPS, AICS, MoHCPC, and other stakeholders and beneficiaries who can be invited as an observer) on issues that may impact the achievement of outcomes and deliverables including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance;
Ensure that project stakeholders including contractors and subcontractors (if any) as well as government entities are aware of the UNOPS Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) policy and how to report concerns;
Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications
Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

4.Quality assurance

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements
Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems
Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables
Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

5. Knowledge management and innovation

Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices
Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

Participate in the relevant UNOPS Currents.

Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

6. Personnel Management

Lead and motivate the project management team
Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
Select, recruit and train team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards
Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrasement, sexual harrasement and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

A Master’s Degree is required. Preferably in Civil Engineering, Architecture, and/ or Construction Management.

A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of a Master's Degree.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years progressive experience in Programme/ Project Management, with at least 3 years of experience as a Project Manager of buildings (renovation and/or rehabilitation) related projects is required.
Previous experience with international organization/s and/or UN in a humanitarian and/ or conflict/post-conflict settings is required;
Experience in rehabilitation and/ or construction projects is required;
Demonstrated competence in all aspects of project planning, monitoring, and management, including application of all aspects of results-based management/project cycle management;

Proven capacity to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including non-governmental partners, and other UN agencies and international donors is desirable;
High proficiency with computers, and other software/ platforms related to the positions field of expertise. Good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is an asset.

Certification

International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) or PRINCE2 foundation is desired.

Language

Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type:Individual Contractrual Agreement
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist 10
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – 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.
This position is open to Nationals ONLY
Baghdad is not a Family Duty Station
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
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
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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