Project Manager

The GCF has requested UNOPS to provide grant management services to support its Readiness and Preparatory Support Programme and Project Preparation Facility (GCF – RPSP/PPF), which aims to maximize the Fund’s effectiveness through empowering developing countries in the following activities.

• Engaging across governments at various levels, and with civil society and private sector stakeholders
• Developing strategic frameworks for engagement with the Fund
• Support for accreditation and accreditation direct access entities
• Formulation of national adaptation plans and/or other adaptation planning processes

The programme is driven by recipient country governments through their National Designated Authorities (NDAs) or focal points. The GCF sees it as a strategic priority to build on ongoing initiatives to strengthen developing countries’ capacity to access and make an effective use of climate financing from the Fund, with special emphasis on particularly vulnerable countries, including Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries.

A dedicated project team will be established within WEC and will work in close cooperation and coordination with the rest of the WEC team. Project Manager will be assigned to manage the strategic and day to day work of this project team, working independently to ensure that the project with GCF is implemented within the agreed scope, timelines and budget, and in line with the UNOPS mandate, mission and vision.

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

 As a separate work stream, UNOPS will also provide advisory services for Financial Management Capacity Assessments of grant recipients to the GCF. While the service provision is managed through a separate team, the integration of the work stream into the overall engagement will need to managed and assured by the incumbent.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The 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 Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.  The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager Level 3 are similar to that of the Project Manager Level 4, with the difference in grades being determined by the project(s) level, complexity and level of responsibility of the specific position. A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for one or more UNOPS Level 3 project. A project manager at this level would likely be expected to manage one or more complex and risky projects. The project(s) would rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery and would be working with firm deadlines. The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

Stakeholder Management:

• 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)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project(s)

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (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 cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:  I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

                                i.            Highlight Reports

                               ii.            End Stage Reports

                             iii.            Operational Closure Checklist

                             iv.            End Project Report

                               v.            Handover Report

• Maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• 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 and remain accountable for 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.

Knowledge Management:

• 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

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the OC Director
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

Grant management

1. Provides tailor made grant management services including grant set-up, performance monitoring, reporting and risk management
2. Provides guidance and operational policy support to all partners and counterparts in grant management support
3. Works with the Finance Management Capacity Assessment team to ensure that the results are integrated into the overall grant management system.

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

                                I.            Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

                              II.            Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

                            III.            Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

                                i.            Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

                               ii.            Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

                             iii.            Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination

                                i.            Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

                               ii.            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

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

                                i.            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 PM to raise the issue to a supervisor

• Excellence

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

 Monitoring and Progress Controls

Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s 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, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)

Work Experience

Seven years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.

• Experience with management of projects with multi-country presence, requiring management of a diverse team of experts, would be considered a significant asset.
• At least 3 years of experience with grants management projects is required.

Certifications

• PRINCE2® Foundation & PRINCE2® Practitioner or similar an asset, but required completion within first 1 year of onboarding

Contextual Skills Required

International organisations experience - 4 years minimum 

Management experience - 4 years minimum 

Project Management Skills Desired

Budget Management

Contracts Negotiation

Financial Rules and Regulations

Knowledge Management

Monitoring and Evaluation

Project Management

Risk Analysis

Stakeholder Management

• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post 
• 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.

NOTE:

1)    Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

2)    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.

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 organizations.  With over 8,000 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.

The Project Centre is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with the Project Centre’s portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners' sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

Water and Energy Cluster

Based in Copenhagen, the UNOPS Water and Energy Cluster provides specialized project management services to partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Bank. Together with partners, the cluster executes projects that support sustainable development by:

• promoting international cooperation to prevent and reverse environmental degradation of international water systems
• enhancing the resilience of communities and eco-systems to climate change
• lowering emissions by bridging renewable energy solutions
• developing Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions to strengthen climate-resilient development