Senior Project Manager

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.

Background Information – Philippines
Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organisations to improve access to justice of marginalised groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU.

In the health sector, UNOPS works with the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the construction of health facilities in Eastern Samar, and with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

The UNOPS Philippines Office is part of the UNOPS Cambodia Multi-Country Officer (KHMCO), which provides oversight, support and services to UNOPS operations in the country offices.

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law,  and governance sectors and subsequently is looking for qualified and committed experts.


Project Information
The SUBATRA (2020 - 2025) contract is part of a EU-funded large scale programme “Support to Bangsamoro Transition”. The project is aiming to achieve a smooth and timely implementation of the transition in Bangsamoro and also strengthen the capacity of the Justice System and CSOs to contribute to a peaceful transition.

The objective of the contract is to strengthen the capacity of the new Bangsamoro Transition Authority, established by the Organic Law for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao ratified on January 21st, 2019, to efficiently handle the transition as per peace process instrument and Bangsamoro Transition Plan provisions.

A particular focus is placed on capacity building of the transitional governments superstructure to formulate, implement and monitor transitional policies, capacity building of key governance ministries to deliver basic social services and promote an enabling good governance environment and capacity building of the Parliament to exercise its legislative, oversight and representation functions.

Areas of support to be provided by the technical assistance include institution and capacity building (including public administration and civil service reforms), public policy development, legal development, human resources development, knowledge and IT tools for governmental work. UNOPS is considered within the EC proposal to be an indirect management entity responsible for the infrastructure, procurement and logistics support to Outputs 1,2,3 and 4 of the project.

Background Information – Job Specific
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 a Senior 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.

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager, the Senior Project Manager is responsible for the overall management and implementation of the project, including but not limited to: day-to-day operations and shall provide services to relevant donors, partners and beneficiaries. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization's performance and delivery goals.

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

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)
• 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.
• 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
• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
• Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.
• 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

2. Procedures

• Follow the Project Management Cycle instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with and specifically the Project Management Manual.
• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.
• Prepare the following reports:  Highlight reports, end stage reports, operational closure checklists, End of Project Report and Handover Report.
• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) with the donor and in the Implementation Plan.
• Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.
• 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 expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).
• Where the Senior 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.
• Establish solid working relationship with the Project Steering Committee members.
• 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.
• Manage the information flows between UNOPS, the Technical Assistance Team Partners, Project Board/Hub Director and the Project Team.

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 team as required and taking into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
• Identify outstanding personnel and bring them to the attention of the UNOPS Country Management.
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

• Advanced University Degree (master) in Project Management, Procurement and/or Supply Chain Management, Law, Commerce, Business Administration, Public Administration, Political/Security/Peace and Development studies, Finance, Economics, Engineering (physical infrastructure related), Civil Engineering, or other relevant disciplines.
• A combination of a Bachelor's degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred.
• For those who do not have a degree in Procurement of Supply  Chain Management, Chartered Institute of Supply and Management (CIPS) or similar international Certification, is a distinct advantage.
• Knowledge of UN/ /UNOPS Procurement Rules and Regulations is a distinct advantage.

• Minimum seven (7) years of progressive experience (or more depending on academic credentials) in project development and management with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination of projects in either public or private sector organizations.
• International experience of a minimum of seven (7) years is desirable.
• Minimum seven (7)  years experience in management and coordination of multi-disciplinary teams and external consultants within challenging environments is desirable.
• Knowledge and experience of procurement practices are desirable.
• Past experience within international/UN organizations, particularly UNOPS, in development, management and implementation of peace and development projects would be considered as a significant asset.
• Good skills in interpersonal and communication relationships (spoken and written) is highly desirable.
• Analytical, organizational and negotiation skills is desirable.
• High level of ethics and integrity and demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships is preferred.
• Experience working in the Philippines and Asia Region is desirable.
• Experience working with minimal remote and general supervision is desirable.
• Personnel supervisory experience in procurement is desirable.
• Experience of working with Incoterms or International Commercial Terms is strongly desirable.
• Knowledge of UNOPS policy relating to project management and procurement would be an asset.

• Fluency in both written and spoken English is required.
• Knowledge of an official Philippine language (Tagalog) is an asset.

• Contract type: International Individual Contract Agreement (IICA) 
• Contract level: ICS11 equivalent to IICA 3 International ICA and Local ICA 11.
• Contract duration: Open-ended
• Duty station: Cotabato, Philippines. Cotabato is a non-family duty station (Security Leave 4).

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

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