Infrastructure and Project Management Specialist

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - IPAS

Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, the UNOPS Integrated Practice Advice and Support (IPAS) serves all the regions and headquarters, primarily with advice and solutions to everyday implementation challenges. IPAS consists of a diverse team of subject matter experts in the six practice areas of HR, Administration, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Project Management and Infrastructure. IPAS has three main roles:

Support to operations in the field offices: IPAS provides timely advice and supports actively finding of solutions to everyday implementation challenges, based on policy and best practices. It also provides operational support in specific areas.

Business efficiency: IPAS recommends changes to policies, processes and operating standards based on the feedback and experience of the field offices. IPAS also ensures transparent and efficient project implementation, in line with policy and business needs.

Body of knowledge: IPAS contributes to research and coordination within the policy groups and project practitioners. It provides structured knowledge and subject matter expertise which is used across practice areas to provide coherent and tailored advice to the requesting offices.

You can meet our team and get a sneak peek of our working environment in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8CyuSqczvI&feature=youtu.be

Background Information - Job-specific

Reporting to the IPAS Project Management and Infrastructure (IPAS PMI) Team Lead, the incumbent will be responsible for delivering on the three areas of supporting operations, business efficiency and knowledge management. For IPAS PMI this translates into daily interactions with country offices and regional offices to provide sound and accurate advice and support in infrastructure and project management in line with corporate standards and policies.

Under the supervision and guidance of the IPAS PMI Team Lead, the PMI Specialist is responsible for ensuring that timely project management advice is provided, which focuses on providing solutions, to IPAS PMI clients. This requires close interactions not only with country offices, but also with other IPAS practice teams, policy groups and regional offices. It also requires a good understanding of the diverse environment in which UNOPS operates.

The incumbent will be expected to identify and escalate complex and high risk matters to the IPAS PMI Team.

Besides this ongoing regular position, IPAS PMI also intends to recruit candidates for retainer contracts (persons who take on ad hoc/part-time assignments) through this same vacancy announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance of the IPAS PMI Team Lead the incumbent shall
• Review new engagements and engagement amendments, with a focus on identifying potential risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPAS reviewers and in line with corporate policy and compliance framework;
• Assist with application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices pertaining to infrastructure and project management, to the field offices;
• Provide infrastructure and project management advice and support to new engagements and amendments through the engagement acceptance process;
• Work closely with other IPAS units to ensure the consistency of the advice provided during engagement acceptance process
• Provide backup support to infrastructure practitioners on matters relating to the management of UNOPS FIDIC-based Professional Services / Works Contracts.

Contribute to business efficiency:

• Work closely with other IPAS units on system enhancements, outlining Project Management and Infrastructure requirements;
• Support corporate and cross-functional initiatives and contribute towards the development of internal policies, processes and systems that are practical, relevant and add value to organizational operations;
• Support IPAS PMI initiatives and tasks, working closely with other corporate units and policy owners.

Build and maintain an active body of PMI knowledge:

• Contribute to project management and infrastructure knowledge and information management within the team and across the organization;
• Participate in and support with the development of Project Management and Infrastructure training to relevant field personnel and other internal clients.

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. 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. 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education- An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent such as MEng, MASc) in Civil Engineering or relevant field is required; - A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent such as BEng, BASc) in Civil Engineering or similar in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of 5 years’ work experience in an Engineering and/or Construction management role is required;
• Within these 5 years, minimum of 4 years’ work experience in Project Management is required;
• Experience working in developing countries in an international environment is highly desired;
• Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is an asset;
• Experience working in and providing technical solutions for post-conflict and / or post disaster environments is an asset;
• PRINCE2® Practitioner certification is an asset.
• Experience with the UN, especially UNOPS is an asset.

Language requirements

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, required.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French, written and verbal, required.

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.
• 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.

For retainers:

• A retainer Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) is issued for a period of time during which the services of the individual contractor may be required intermittently.
• A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.
• UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.
• Payment will be made only after completion of work (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.
• A retainer ICA does not accord any exclusivity to the Individual Contractor with respect to the Services listed in the job description. UNOPS shall have no limitation on its right to obtain Services of the same kind from any other source at any time.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: IICA
• Contract level: IICA-2
• Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Although the primary position this VA seeks to recruit is an ongoing full-time position based in Copenhagen, the hiring unit will additionally consider applicants who wish to engage with UNOPS on retainer contracts (ad hoc/part-time assignments).

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

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.