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

Project Information

UNOPS is providing operational support to UNAMI in Iraq to facilitate electoral preparations and processes, with the primary objective of strengthening democratic institutions in Iraq through the promotion of regional parliamentary elections. The project aims to enhance the credibility and transparency of the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) and promote inclusion and participation in electoral processes in accordance with national legal and policy frameworks. The project aligns with the Sustainable Development Goal 16 and the Iraq Vision 2030 plan. UNOPS will conduct an assessment of the capacity of relevant entities who will organize the upcoming elections and provide training needs, provide technical assistance, carry out a UN communication campaign, support national observation, and conduct post-election activities including a lessons learned workshop.

UNOPS will recruit a team consisting of local and international staff to provide the requested assistance in the areas of support identified by UNAMI. The planned number of personnel in the team is approximately 10 staff.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance
2. Procedures
3. Monitoring and reporting
4. Stakeholder engagement
5. Quality assurance
6. Knowledge management and innovation
7. Personnel management

1. Project Delivery and Performance - Deliver the project within the given scope and budget - Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s) - Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) set by the Project Board. - Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span, where applicable. - 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 - Mobilize goods and services to support project activities, including drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications - Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers - Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation - 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 - Oversee security management of the Project in coordination with relevant stakeholders.

2. 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 - Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team - Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded - Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations - Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time. - Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project - Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel - Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports) - 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. - For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager - 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 outputs.

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 - 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 - 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

7. Personnel Management - Lead and motivate the project management team - Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established - Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely - Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives. - Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards - Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrasement, sexual harrasement and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Impact of Results

The support of the United Nations in the area of responsibility contributes to credible and inclusive elections, minimizing violence and maximizing the chances of legitimate government, peace and stability;

The United Nations mandated support in the area of responsibility is implemented effectively, using resources efficiently and minimizing risks to the organization;

The supervisor has access to accurate and timely information as well as advice on the electoral process and its implications;

The impact of results of this position is to strengthen the IHEC capabilities to ensure robust engagement with electoral stakeholders and to deliver and manage public information campaigns in support of the elections

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. 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:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) preferably in Economics, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, Humanities, International Relations, or relevant field.
• A first level university ( Bachelor’s Degree) preferably in Economics, International Development, Political or Social Sciences, Humanities, International Relations, or relevant field in combination with two (2) additional years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Certificate: PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner Certification is an asset.

Experience: - A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant work experience in Project Management with at least three (3) years of which involve implementation and management at senior level, in electoral assistance activities is required. - Within these seven years, at least two (2) years of experience in sustaining high-level professional relations is highly desired - Experience in working in post-conflict environments or transitional countries is highly desired - Experience in Iraq is an asset; - Experience working with a UN agency or an international organization on electoral issues is an asset - Demonstrated ability to thrive within a complex multicultural and multinational environment strongly preferred; - Knowledge of UN rules, regulations, policies, and procedures is an asset.

Language Requirements: - Fluency in English is required; - Knowledge of Arabic language is an advantage

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA Contractual modality Contract level: IICA3 Contract duration: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

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.
• Erbil is classifed as a non-family duty station

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.