Senior Project Manager

Contract

This is a IICA-3 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

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. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments. Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries.Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of aSenior Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

Senior Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them.

Senior Project Manager is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Project Manager/Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.

Project Information : This project will support the strengthening of the chain of justice in the island of Sint Maarten by offering UNOPS turn-key services for the construction of a new rule of law facility. The project will be achieved in two phases for an estimated project budget of 40 MUSD. The first phase (Programming, Design and Procurement) is estimated for a total of 20 months and will contribute to the complete definition of the components for the second phase ( Construction of the rule of Law facility). The project objectives are agreed as follows:

• Design resilient, sustainable and effective Transitional Facilities, which meet national and international human rights standards for prisoners and detainees in Sint Maarten.
• Design resilient, sustainable and effective Long-Term Facilities contributing to strengthening national infrastructure capacity in the correctional sector enabling adequate, safe and humane detention, which facilitates reintegration of offenders back into society.

The UNOPS PAMCO Multi Country Office covering Panama, Costa Rica and the Dutch and English Caribbean will open an office on the island of Sint Maarten to ensure close coordination with relevant stakeholders of the justice sector.

Functional Responsibilities

The Senior Project Manager directly impacts the achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates. Consequently, this reinforces UNOPS visibility and image as an effective service provider in project management and services and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Senior Project Manager will be responsible for all aspects of the project life-cycle and must be able to undertake independently, the following tasks:

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

Project Delivery and Performance - Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s) (If 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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Personnel Management - Lead and motivate the project management team - Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established - Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely

To access the full list of roles and responsibilities, please download the terms of references attached to the announcement.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education - A higher university degree is required (equivalent to a Master's degree) preferable in any of the following disciplines: Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, Supply Chain, Social Sciences, Business Administration, International Relations, Public Administration, Law, Economics or other relevant field. - Second University degree (equivalent to a Bachelor's degree) will be accepted preferably in one of the aforementioned areas as long as it accredits a minimum of 9 years of relevant experience. - PRINCE2 Practitioner, PRINCE2 Foundation or PMP certification is required

b. Experience - A minimum of 7 years experience (or more based on academic merits) of relevant and progressive professional experience in implementing complex projects and/or programmes is required

• Working experience in implementing and delivering projects for international organizations is required

• Experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is required

• Possess a solid procurement experience with exposure to public procurement processes is required;

• Strong experience in contract management is required;

• Experience working with UNOPS in managing similar projects would be an asset

• Sound knowledge of FIDIC contracts would be an asset

c. Languages - Fluency of English languaje is required - Fluency in Dutch / Papiamento is an asset. - Fluency of Spanish is an 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.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract level: ICS11 equivalent to IICA 3

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

This contract is established in the Regular Monthly Contract modality; continuous service provision is required during the contract period; the payments associated with the contract will be processed at the end of each calendar month.

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. UNOPS is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We encourage female candidates to apply.

UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.

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.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• 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.

Additional information