Deputy Project Manager

The UNOPS Ukraine Office has been established in April 2017. At present UNOPS manages an extensive portfolio of projects in Ukraine and is seeking to expand its delivery. Accordingly, UNOPS is now shifting direct representational and oversight functions to Ukraine.

UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Ukraine, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programme. In keeping with EU-Ukraine Association Agreement of 27 June 2014 and other Government reform initiatives, UNOPS is particularly interested in strengthening its coordination and liaison capacity with relevant Government institutions, Government led mechanisms and emerging trust fund instruments.

The Support for Rule of Law Reforms in Ukraine Project.

UNOPS provides project management implementation services and support for the European Delegation and the Government of Ukraine project, focused on reform of the Rule of Law system in Ukraine and to align its functioning with the best European and International practices.

The Project aims to support the creation of an efficient law-enforcement system respectful of human rights in support of the people of Ukraine, via provision of the necessary support to the National Police and other Ukrainian authorities in charge of civilian law-enforcement. On substance matters, the project relies on the EU Advisory Mission [EUAM] to Ukraine which is a Rule of Law and Police Mission, based in Kiev and with presences in Kharkiv and Lviv.

The Deputy Project Manager will not ordinarily be located with the Project Manager. The Project Manager will be located in the UNOPS Offices in Ukraine, whereas the Deputy Project Manager will be located some miles away, within the EU Rule of Law Advisory Mission’s offices [EUAM] in Kiev and will have two key responsibilities. Deputising for the Project Manager as delegated, and always in his/her absence, and with the running all of the UNOPS’ project functions located at the EUAM. The Deputy Project Manager will be the principal senior UNOPS’ responsible person within that EUAM environment, liaising and working with senior EU staff including the Head of Mission and the Institutional Development, Police and Legal Component Leads.

In addition, he/she will directly supervise the other UNOPS’ EUAM embedded staff and specialist contractors also working from there. These UNOPS post holders will include, but will not be confined to; the Project Coordination Officer, the Engineers and Project Support Officers. External specialist contractors and experts supervised will include, but will not be confined to; ICT, institutional development and training experts.

It should be noted, that whilst reporting to the Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager will have considerable autonomy, managerial and project-functional responsibilities, particularly because of the separate office environments. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

Reporting to the Project Manager, but with these unique responsibilities, the Deputy Project Manager is responsible to produce/read the project initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client. Success of the Project(s) and hence the Deputy Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. 

• Establish positive and fruitful working working relationships with EUAM and EUD.
• providing advice and guidance on specific and general project management issues and where appropriate rule of law and police related project support.
• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders.
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)

• Collaborate with EUAM Advisors, EU Delegation and SGUA to deliver to project activities within relevant timelines and cost parameters.
• Support implementation of approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board.
• Personal management of work packages as and when required.
• Continuous monitoring of the project quality indicators and undertaking monthly assurance tasks on behalf of the Project Manager.
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life cycle.
• On behalf of the Project Manager, identify, direct and support the management and production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Advise the Project Manager of any possible deviations from the plan and possible corrective action.
• On behalf of the Project Manager, identify and manage risks, especially those unique to EUAM activities, cooperation and co-location.
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to a supervisor.
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS’ internal business case to supervisor.
• As delegated by the Project manager, monitor and evaluate performance of service providers.

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions).
• Support the Project Manager in the preparation of all project related documentation, particularly; highlight reports, end stage reports, operational closure checklist, end project report and handover report. 

• Where the Deputy Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, he/she retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

• Manage and support all UNOPS’ EUAM-embedded staff, contractors and consultants ensuring high quality service delivery.
• Prepare Terms of Reference (ToR) for required inputs in the project’s personnel and operational arrangements, (staff, individual and institutional consultancy services, procurement of goods and services, organization of training, seminars, etc.) with EUAM and/or client support as required.
• As delegated by the Project Manager and in his/her absence: a) Select, recruit and train external consultants and trainers as required by project plans. b) Lead and motivate those external project delivery teams to ensure successful project implementation and c) Perform the Team Manager role. 
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel embedded at the EUAM Offices and ensure compliance with UNDSS standards.

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Education, Criminology, Law or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, Criminology, Law or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

• PRINCE2® Foundation required.
• PRINCE2® Practitioner is an asset, but required completion within first 6 months of on-boarding.

• A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in project development and management of Rule of Law type projects with focus on training, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
• Will possess particular skills in the implementation of complex sector wide reforms.
• Experience of working with, or alongside, EU Civilian Police and Rule of Law Missions is desirable.
• Previous experience with UNOPS or a UN Agency is an advantage.
• Experience working in a project-based environment is required.

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles.
• Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management.
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place.
• Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders.
• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity.
• Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans.
• Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff.
• Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts.

• Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system.
• Know the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and seek to contribute within the deliverables of the project.
• Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners.

• The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the Project Coordination Officer to raise the issue to a supervisor.

• Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

• 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.
• 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.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.