Project Management Support – Senior Associate

Contract

This is a LICA-7 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-7 contracts.

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.

Functional Responsibilities

BACKGROUND INFORMATION – UNOPS Amman Hub

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 (Jordan, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Turkey), 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.

UNOPS has been active in Iraq since 2004, delivering close to 50 projects worth over USD 260 million. UNOPS has a very strong relationship with the key counterparts at both central and regional government levels in Iraq. UNOPS operates from its Operational Hub in Amman, and supports its country office in Baghdad and its sub-office in Erbil.

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

UNOPS is undertaking a three-year project that aims to improve basic living conditions for returnees in the liberated rural areas of Al-Anbar governorate through the rehabilitation of up to 1,000 housing units and restoration of decentralized services. The decentralized services component will entail the provision of solar street lighting, the rehabilitation of selected community roads, and of water and sanitation networks and/or stations. When feasible, the rehabilitated housing units will be connected to the restored decentralized services taking into consideration the whole neighborhood. The rehabilitation of housing and basic services will be guided by a needs-based approach.

Functional Responsibilities

The Project Management Support – Senior Associate will report directly to the Project Manager, and will be responsible for the following functional responsibilities:

• Prepare terms of reference and requisitions for procurement of contractors/ suppliers services/goods, as well as to support any project related recruitment requests;
• Assist with the translation of project documents to and from Arabic and English;
• Support logistical preparations for training events, seminars and workshops;
• Support and follow-up with processing administrative, financial and procurement tasks required for project execution in collaboration with UNOPS relevant section;
• Monitor the provision of services by contractors, suppliers, and/or consultants in coordination with the field personnel and/ or relevant partners;
• Receive and check financial reports sent by contractors, suppliers, and/or consultants prior to processing the payments;
• Support in preparing for, and organizing of project meetings;
• Support in the draft of regular project progress reports to UNOPS management, donor and other recipients;
• Work in close collaboration with other UNOPS projects and participate in UNOPS management/planning exercises as required;
• Support the planning, reporting, project design and resource mobilization efforts of UNOPS in providing technical services;
• Supports the Project Manager to ensure all project administrative tasks are completed in accordance with the PMM and the internal procedures and processes;
• Perform any other duties as might be required for the successful implementation of the projects.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Secondary education is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and/or Project/ Programme Management, Humanitarian Assistance, Engineering, or Development Studies is desired but may substitute for 4 years of relevant experience.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in supporting project implementation;
• Experience of working in an international NGO, UN agency or other international technical cooperation agency is required;
• Experience is supporting construction and/or rehabilitation related project(s) is desired.
• Experience in project supporting project planning, implementation, and monitoring is required;
• Experience in managing and organizing events including excellent organization skills, ability to follow deadlines, accuracy and attention to details is required;
• 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 required;
• Proven capacity to interact with a variety of stakeholders, including non-governmental partners, and other UN agencies and international donors is desirable;
• Previous knowledge of the UN system is desirable.
• International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) or PRINCE2 foundation is desired.
• Fluency in both English and Arabic is required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: ICA
2. Contract level: Local ICA Support, level 7
3. 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 is a local position open for nationals.
• 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.