Project Manager

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 - Job-specific

The client (Government of Democratic Republic of Congo) has identified, with the validation of the Partner (World Bank) 8 erosion sites that are severely threatening the population of the city of Kananga in Congo, Democratic Republic. The World Bank (WB) Urban Development Project (PDU) and the DRC Ministry of Urbanism and Habitat requested the services of UNOPS to support works of public interest in order to protect the urban infrastructure of the city of Kananga against the progress of erosion threatening national roads, universities and public markets etc.

The project has been designed to address emergency and sustainable solutions for these identified erosion sites.

Background information - DR Congo

The client (Government of Democratic Republic of Congo) has identified, with the validation of the Partner (World Bank) 8 erosion sites that are severely threatening the population of the city of Kananga in Congo, Democratic Republic. The World Bank (WB) Urban Development Project (PDU) and the DRC Ministry of Urbanism and Habitat requested the services of UNOPS to support works of public interest in order to protect the urban infrastructure of the city of Kananga against the progress of erosion threatening national roads, universities and public markets etc.

The project has been designed to address emergency and sustainable solutions for these identified erosion sites.

Functional Responsibilities

The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. She/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria: 1. Project Delivery and Performance 2. Procedures 3. Monitoring and reporting 4. Stakeholder engagement 5. Quality assurance 6. Knowledge management and innovation

1. Project Delivery and Performance

- 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 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. - Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers - Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages - Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly - Control project and work packages changes - 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

2. Procedures - 1. Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual 2. Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board 3. Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan 4. Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded 5. Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time 6. Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project 7. Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel 8. Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports) 9. 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 10. For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager 11. Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations

3. 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 all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

4 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), client and key stakeholders - 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 output

5 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.)

6 Knowledge management and innovation - 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. - Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

Education

• Advanced University degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Civil Engineering, Water engineering or related field is required.

• First level University degree (Bachelor’s Degree in project management, civil engineering, Water engineering or equivalent) with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, Construction, Engineering, or related field, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• Technical/professional diploma, in relevant discipline, in combination of four (4) additional years of experience maybe accepted in lieu of Advanced University Degree.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years experience in implementing and managing similar infrastructure projects (roads, damns, bridges, irrigation works, anti-erosion works etc.).
• Experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is an asset
• Previous experience working with UNOPS in managing similar projects is an asset.
• Experience in risk management for infrastructure implementation projects is an asset

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken French Language is required.

• Intermediary knowledge in written and spoken English Language is required.

Certifications

• Professional certification from an accredited institution ( PEng., CEng. , etc).asset.
• Certification in Project Management ( PRINCE2, PMI, etc.). Asset

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.

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
• 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.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Contrat de Prestataire Individuel International
• Contract level: IICA2 (ICS-10)
• Contract duration: 1 an renouvelable en fonction de la performance et la disponibilité des fonds

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.