Deputy Project Manager, Multiple positions

Multi-Country Office Context:

The UNOPS Ghana Multi Country Office (GHMCO), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. GHMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks engagements portfolio, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievement of UNOPS management results.

Local Context: 

UNOPS has been active in Sierra Leone since 2000 and has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of Renewable Energy, Health and Security Infrastructure, and has implemented and procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items, medical equipment, and Solar Photovoltaic systems.


Project Information:

Poor access to electricity is recognized as a binding constraint to long-term economic growth in Sierra Leone. The country is currently experiencing a net deficit of power and is in desperate need of new power sources. The Ministry of Energy has developed an Energy Sector Roadmap and action plan with initiative to increase energy access through technical and non-technical interventions. Part of the roadmap strategy is to incorporate Sierra Leone’s great Renewable Energy resources to provide security of supply to rural communities and to boost the economy. 

To help address the energy infrastructure needs, UNOPS on behalf of the Ministry of Energy, is implementing activities to increase electricity accessibility to public services and enhance economic growth in underserved rural communities.

The project aims to expand energy access to remote villages, leading to improved development outcomes in health, education and economic development to beneficiary communities. This will enable reliable, clean and affordable electricity and in turn improve social, economic and health benefits to rural communities. Providing electricity access to isolated communities will result in improved economic benefits, reducing the relative cost of energy access by eliminating the cost of diesel generators for energy reliant businesses. The project is in support of the Ministry’s objective of increasing access to electricity in the rural communities, exploring a variety of alternative sources of renewable energy. It is envisioned that the project will contribute to the Government's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) addressing multiple development initiatives.

Furthermore, the project will enhance partnerships between public, private and social sector stakeholders to address poverty reduction, and encourage the participation of the private sector in the provision of commercially viable energy services in rural communities.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager (Infrastructure) will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provide services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Deputy Project Manager is expected to meet and exceed the organization's performance and delivery goals.

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. The Deputy Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project infrastructure life cycle. 

S/he is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

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 

• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within the set tolerances.
• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s) for infrastructure components.
• 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.
• Lead the timely and cost-effective implementation of the infrastructure products according to UNOPS goals and partner expectations, approved budget and full cost recovery.
• Authorize Work Packages.
• Advise the Project Manager of any deviations from the plan.
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to the Project Manager and Head of Programme so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
• Ensure that quality of infrastructure products comply with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
• Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.
• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.
• Control project and work packages changes.
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation and accept works delivered by suppliers.
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted.
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers.
• Identify and report potential demand for UNOPS services to the Project Manager.

       2. Procedures 

       3. Monitoring and reporting

• Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. 

• Contribute to the achievement of overall business targets and needs.

       4. Stakeholder engagement

• In consultation with the Project Manager, establish a 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.

• Report and advise the Project Manager  and the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).

       5.  Risk Management, Oversight and Quality assurance

• Identify and anticipate potential risks and issues related to the delivery of infrastructure products and advise on appropriate responses to mitigate risks and/or keep projects on track.

• Escalate critical issues / risks to the Project Manager and partners so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive quality management strategy for infrastructure products (including business cases/strategies, projects plans, risk assessments and infrastructure-related documents such as site assessments, design package, contract management and works supervision documentation, as-build design, testing and commissioning reports, change orders, completion and handover certificate, etc.)

• Ensure document and knowledge management diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.

• Establish performance management tools for tracking progress and quality of infrastructure products.

• Provide routine oversight, track delivery progress and projects status, evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality), assist with and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.

• Work with the Programme Management Office (PMO) to establish a quality management system that takes into consideration segregation of roles.

• Provide technical advice and support to project teams, partners, beneficiaries across the multi-country office.

       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  

• Master’s Degree (Advanced University Degree) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or other relevant disciplines is required.

• Bachelor’s Degree in  Architecture, Civil Engineering, Project Management, or other relevant disciplines with a combination of additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's Degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years’ relevant work experience in Project Management in a large International and/or corporate organization is required.

• Experience working on infrastructure projects is a distinct advantage.

• Experience in budget management, construction management monitoring & evaluation  is a distinct advantage.

• Experience in stabilization, transition, post –conflict environments is an asset.

• Experience with management of operations in remote locations is an asset.

• Experience with the UN and/or private sector infrastructure development is an asset.

• Experience managing projects with multiple sites and complex logistical dimensions in remote locations is an asset.

• Experience with the design, procurement stages of the infrastructure life cycle is a distinct advantage.

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is a distinct advantage.

• Experience in works contract management (FIDIC contracts)  is a distinct advantage.

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English Language is required.

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level:  LICA 10/ ICS 10
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance'.

• 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.

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.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.