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 - Job-specific

Organisational Context: The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations.

Diversity

With over 5,000 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.

Ghana Multi-Country Office (GHMCO)

Established in 2015, Ghana Multi-Country Office (GHMCO) is based in Accra, and spans across West Africa, covering Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, supporting partners in achieving their development objectives through three main service lines: infrastructure, procurement, and project management.

The Multi Country Office head office in Accra provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering, and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

UNOPS in Nigeria

The UNOPS office in Nigeria has been supporting partners and the government of Nigeria to implement several development projects through its expertise to ensure sustainable project management. UNOPS Nigeria is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, environment, climate change, and governance sectors.

****Background Information about the** Projects**

NEWMAP

The Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP) aims to reduce vulnerability to soil erosion in targeted sub-watersheds. The project has been operational in Nigeria since 2013 with funding from The World Bank that ended in June 2022.

The “Nigeria Climate Adaptation – Erosion & Watershed project” represents a scale-up phase of the World Bank-financed NEWMAP, under a loan from the European Development Bank (EIB). The project consists of financing sub-investments (schemes) of sites affected by land degradation in Nigeria, including both gully erosion and degradation of drylands. The project involves two components – 1) Infrastructure, and 2) Technical Assistance.

The scheme selection is based on a multi-criterion ranking system, coupled with assessments on the level of readiness of the schemes and the capacity of the implementing state/s. All 23 states wish to participate in the project and are intended recipients of assistance from the project.

The project is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FME), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.

RAAMP

The Nigeria Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP and RAAMP-2) is an initiative that has been financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), along with some contribution from the Government of Nigeria (GoN).

The EIB’s “Nigeria Access to Agri-Markets Framework Loan” consists of a framework loan to finance sub-investments proposed under the existing RAAMP. The purpose of the project is to strengthen the infrastructure related to the agriculture sector by (i) improving and expanding the rural roads network connecting farms to markets, whilst (ii) enhancing infrastructure to transform products and support local farmers to increase productivity.

The project has so far been implementing schemes across thirteen Nigerian states. The EIB loan may possibly target the six states that have not received RAAMP funding to date viz, Anambra, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Niger, and Taraba, that will involve the rehabilitation and upgrading of rural roads and agro-logistics centers in these pre-selected participating States.

RAAMP is implemented by a Federal Project Management Unit (FPMU), located within the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), in coordination with the SPIUs that are established in each participating state.

Under a Financing Agreement with the Government of Nigeria, UNOPS has been requested by EIB to provide implementation and oversight support to both projects in the following areas:

• Screening and verification of schemes - assist EIB in screening the longlist against the set multi criteria and advise on final approval of shortlists to be financed under EIB loan.
• Procurement - assist EIB in ensuring alignment with EIB’s minimum requirements through prior and post reviews.
• Environmental and social risk management of proposed schemes – ensure E&S safeguard compliance through clearance of ESMPs and monitoring their implementation.
• Implementation Monitoring - oversight of the implementation of schemes and risk mitigating measures in coordination with the FPMU, SPIUs, the EIB, and relevant stakeholders through half-yearly monitoring missions, and Reporting on the implementation of schemes and the overall program performance.
• Technical Assistance - provision of technical assistance to the FPMUs/ SPIUs on above areas of intervention, as necessary.

The projects will be implemented within a 4 years duration but subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

The Role

The Project Management Support (PMS) - Senior Associate who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for supporting the Project Manager with the day-to-day operations, coordinating implementation, and liaison with the EIB. S/he maintains a close eye on the operational and financial performance, identifies probable Project Management Support Specialist issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinates resolution as per action-items assigned, drafting required correspondences to stakeholders concerned and preparation of mission reports. The PMS is required to work in a complex and challenging environment with limited resources.

She/He may be required to work in complex and challenging environments with limited resources.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Project Implementation
2. Project monitoring and reporting
3. Coordination and liaison
4. Financial and procurement management
5. Operational and logistical support

6. Knowledge management and innovation

   1. Project implementation

- Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project reports and documents. - Coordinate information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures

• Coordinate assigned delivery of work packages and take responsibility for progress.
• Supports the monitoring and management of work packages within the project as and when required
• Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the the project planning process and implementation progress. Document and feedback lessons learned and best practices

• Work with Project Manager to identify and manage risks. Facilitate information flows and overseeing change controls, risk registers and issue management.

• In consultation with the relevant stakeholders, assist in preparing amendments of Agreements and Budget revisions when applicable.

  2. Project monitoring and reporting

• Provide substantive inputs to assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project reports and documents, ensure compliance with contractual obligations and UNOPS policies, processes and procedures
• Maintain records of project files and other supporting documents.
• Maintain the following records: Quality Register, Configuration Item Records and all other
• registers/logs delegated by the Project Manager

• Support the Project Manager in maintaining the following:

  i. Project Document records,

  ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by UNOPS policies

• Coordinate the compilation, consolidation and analysis of relevant data of the project.

  3. Coordination and liaison

• Supports the monitoring and administration of contract management (HR, Service Contracts, rental agreements etc.) for Project operations;
• Proactively coordinate/liaise with support units on all administrative matters related to contract management;
• Liaise with the Programme Management Office (PMO) Team Members to complete project assurance related tasks.

• Supports the Project Manager in communication with stakeholders and ensures stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products.

  4. Financial and procurement management - Support the Project Manager to ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP system (OneUNOPS) and (OneUNOPS Projects) as appropriate.

• Monitor project budget and financial expenditure and all administrative procedures in line with the work-plan.
• Facilitate processing of direct payments and advance requests and prepare project budget revisions.
• Support the preparation of financial reports, including developing financial monitoring and reporting formats as per UNOPS requirements.
• Support the Project Manager by monitoring budgets, cash flow and reporting on expense obligations to ensure that deliverables are met.
• Conduct financial analysis to manage and calculate financial shortfalls and over-expenditures. Alert the Project Manager of any financial shortfall and over-expenditures.
• Ensure conformity of project disbursement requests with procedures, work plans, and availability of resources for expenditure.
• Coordinate supplier communications, meetings and reports as necessary.

• Maintain all supporting project financial documents for audit and review processes.

  5. Operational and logistical support

• Establish and monitor an internal control system for all administrative actions.
• Identify operational, administrative, financial and other bottlenecks that may impede project delivery; recommend solutions and take appropriate remedial action.
• Liaise with finance and logistics/procurement units in tracking commitments and disbursements.
• Contribute to organizing project and stakeholder meetings as and when necessary, and maintain records of these meetings.

• In accordance with UN and UNOPS Security Policies, manage travel for all personnel in the Project Team.

  6. Knowledge management and innovation

• Actively seeks advice and coordinates donor engagement with the UNOPS Japan Partnerships Liaison Office.
• Support the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting format and the PMM.
• Actively contribute to building local capacities at every level and opportunity in Project
• Management Support.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for planning and knowledge building.
• Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques.

Impact of Results: The Project Management Support - Senior Associate directly impacts on the achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

A. Education

• High School Diploma/Secondary School Diploma is the minimum academic requirement for this role.

• A First-Level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree) in Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, International Relations, or other relevant disciplines with 3 years of relevant professional experience will be accepted.

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in Project Management, Business Administration, Finance, International Relations, or other relevant disciplines is an asset.

B. Work Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant working experience in Project Management with focus in budget management, financial monitoring, operations support, reporting and project planning is required.

• Demonstrated knowledge of UNOPS and/or UN financial rules and regulations will be an asset.

• Experience in the use of google software packages (Google Doc, Sheets and Slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an added advantage.

• Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is an asset.

  C. Certification:

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Foundation, PMI or equivalent) is an asset.

D. Language Requirement

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Competencies

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: Local Individual Contract Agreement (L-ICA)
• Contract level: LICA 7/ ICS 7
• 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 Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
• Abuja, Nigeria is a family duty station.

Terms and Conditions

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.