Project Manager

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a highly fragile country with a history of recurrent con􀃓ict, the most recent of which took place in 2013 between multiple armed groups. The violence that followed the 2013 crisis greatly damaged public assets and infrastructure, disrupted service delivery, and further weakened the social fabric, and exacerbated people’s poverty and vulnerability to shocks. As a result, roughly one-quarter of the population was internally displaced or had to flee as refugees to neighboring countries. Forced displacement has disrupted livelihoods, depleted the assets of the poor, and put an additional strain on service delivery in areas of displacement. 

Improvements in the security situation have resulted in the voluntary return of displaced populations, primarily in the northwest and southwest of the country. It is estimated that about 15 to 20 percent of the displaced population has returned spontaneously. However, the return of the displaced to the areas of origin remains fragile and dependent on the overall security situation. The reintegration of displaced populations and provision of social safety nets is a short-term priority and essential to the stabilization and economic revitalization of the country.

To this end, the World Bank is supporting the Government of CAR to increase access to basic services, and the establishment of social safety nets to communities affected by forced displacement. The project will be implemented through UNOPS including but not limited to the following towns: Bangui, Bambari and Paoua

The project adopts a multifaceted approach in support of communities affected by displacement in CAR and it entails 1) financial support to the most vulnerable households among displaced populations and the communities affected by COVID19 and the recent floods,; 2) Supporting the government of CAR in the training and capacity development of relevant ministerial bodies and entities on social safety nets and Cash transfer mechanisms.

For the purpose of execution of its project, UNOPS AFR CDOH CAR seeks to hire a Project Manager responsible for providing overall technical and programmatic support for the planning, implementation, management, monitoring of cash transfer activities and capacity building. S/he is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), since 1991, the UNOPS Central Africa Hub (CDOH) covers eleven countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central Africal Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda. The Hub has forged strong working relationships with international partners, United Nations agencies, including United Nations missions, and governments of Central African countries.

It provides technical support and capacity building in areas of strategic national development, including sustainable infrastructure development in the fields of health, education, public works, governance and public administration, as well as in sustainable procurement, project management and sectoral advisory services in the areas of peace and security, preservation and protection of the environment, program/project revitalization among others.

Under the leadership of the Hub Director’s office, CDOH comprises 3 departments in the Kinshasa Head Office:

1. Programme/Programme Management Office (PMO);

2. Support Services Office with its 4 units: Human Resources, Procurement, Finance and Logistics, and

3. Partnership Development Office (PDO).

The Senior Management Team (SMT) – comprising the Head of Programme, the Head of Support Services and the Head of Partnership Development – manages the respective departments. CDOH also has four country offices including Kinshasa and over 18 provincial/field project offices.

• Masters degree or advanced degree in Project Management, Economics, International Affairs, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies or other relevant field is required.

• Bachelor degree in Project Management, Economics, International Affairs, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Development Studies or other relevant field is required with additional 2 years relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master's degree.

• A minimum of 5 years Project Management experience focusing on one of the following:  cash transfer programming, monitoring and evaluation, quality assurance or other related area is required, preferably  in the field.
• Experience of national, bilateral or multilateral food assistance programmes, including experience with cash transfers and other social safety net programmes is an advantage.
• Experience with Government, UN agencies, and NGOs is an asset.
• Experience in designing and/or implementing cash-based humanitarian assistance programmes is an asset.

• Fluency in French and English in both written and oral is required

• 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.  

Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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.