Deputy Project Manager

UNOPS is undertaking a three-year phase III project (including 12 months for the Defect Notification Period) that aims to improve basic living conditions for returnees in the liberated rural areas of Al-Anbar and Ninewa governorates through the rehabilitation of housing units and restoration of decentralized services. The decentralized services component will entail the provision of solar street lighting, the rehabilitation of selected community roads, and of water and sanitation networks and/or stations. When feasible, the rehabilitated housing units will be connected to the restored decentralized services taking into consideration the whole neighborhood. The rehabilitation of housing and basic services will be guided by a needs-based approach.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager (PM), the incumbent is responsible for performing the following duties:

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

Under the direct supervision, guidance and direction of the Senior Project Manager (SPM), the Project Coordinator/DPM shall:

• Develop, complete and update implementation of Project plan(s)  and quarterly plans
• Implement the approved plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Senior Management/Project Board; 
• 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 Project Plan;
• Liaise with any external suppliers and contractors;
• Advise the Senior Project Manager of any possible deviations from the plan and possible corrective actions;
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages;
• Manage the invoicing and progress verification of works, payments certification, procurement, managing construction companies, construction sites and dealing with Government authorities and other stakeholders. 
• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed according to agreements
• Control project and work packages changes;
• Accept works, goods or services delivered, construction quality assurance and oversight
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluations;
• Support the development and implementation of systems for internal control that ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, in collaboration with the project, finance and procurement team.
• Ensure compliance with UNOPS Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions and Project Management Manual during the project implementation;
• Assist in management of the project information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing oversight procedures;
• Provide inputs and review project reports and presentations for PM, as and when needed
• Support the Project Manager in ensuring UNOPS Policies and Procedures, Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR) are adhered to for efficient programme implementation and progress.
• Support the production/updating of project initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreements and other project documents, and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and respective roles and responsibilities of partners/stakeholders to ensure the project products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client.
• Assist the PM in  Monitoring overall project physical and financial deliveries and support the project Manager accordingly. Track expenditure and take relevant action when required to revise budgets (realignment and amendment).
• Assist in Monitor and record best practices and innovative approaches within UNOPS financial regulations and rules; identify and show alternative options according to activity needs for the PM final decision and action.
• Provide support to the PM in Managing the  information flows and support the PM in overseeing change controls, risk registers and issue management; document and feedback lessons learned and best practices within the project.
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise on mitigating measures to the Senior Management/Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
• Assist the PM in overall leadership of the project team, project deliveries, and construction management, QA, HSE and others in line with UNOPS PMM requirements.
• Oversight of the design management, deliverables of the inhouse and outsourced design, assist the PM in managing the design review process and preparation of tender documents.
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential new business opportunities for UNOPS;.

• Comply with all organizational policies and specifically the Project Management Manual; the design planning manual, the HSE guidelines, 
• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the PM and if required by the Senior Management/Project Board;
• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and Project  Plan;
• Draft the requirements for procurement processes. Support evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team;
• Effective implementation of corporate directives, guidelines and strategies, and establishment of relevant management targets, as well as monitoring of achievements and results.
• Responsible for day-to-day coordination with the contractors and suppliers according to the needs and requirements on site;
• Provide support and guidance to the contractors and assists in resolving site problems, as necessary;
• Ensure maintenance of the project files, risk management and lessons learned are recorded;
• Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations;
• 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;
• Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports);
• For project closure purposes, support the formal handover of the project to the engagement closure manager;
• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow-up on audit observations/recommendations;
• Conduct and supervise Health & Safety, Social & Environmental (HSSE) issues and concerns, including application of UNOPS standards for HSSE;
• Performs HSSE management and inspections and maintains the required records;
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the SPM.

• Prepare and issue regular project physical and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS legal agreement requirements for reporting;
• Check contractors’ and suppliers set out and works, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensures that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with specified scope of work, time frame, and budget;
• 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 one UNOPS Project (OuP - internal system) dashboard system;
• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span.
• Assess the work activities of contractor/s, measure completed works and make recommendations to the Senior Project Manager for progress payments to contractors.
• Review and endorse any design changes that are processed by other parties, and recommend them for implementation
• Assist in building and developing capacity of other technical personnel in construction techniques including good practices and troubleshooting methods
• Provide technical advice and assistance to contractors to ensure that economical and quality materials are purchased
• Monitor the implementation of the works by conducting site visits and provide guidance for improvement and good results.
• Any situation that may require decision making, which will involve variation and or additional cost shall be brought to the notice of PM with details of issues encountered at site and appropriate recommendation; 

• 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;
• 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.

• Oversight of quality assurance teams and ensure the completed products meet the contracts specifications and other requirements.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure the projects complies 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, plans, reports, etc.).

• 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 ProjectTeams (PT) and the wider PT 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.

• Oversight progress monitoring, result frameworks and control tools
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely;
• Select, recruit and train team as required and take into account gender parity, diversity and inclusion objectives;
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards;
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments

Education

• Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Architect, project management, engineering, or similar field. 
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Architect, project management, engineering, or similar field  with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the Advanced University Degree requirement.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification. Asset.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.                                                  

Work Experience 

• Minimum 5 years (or less depending on academic credentials) of relevant progressive experience in design or construction implementation of infrastructure projects in either public or private sector organizations; 
• Proven experience of project implementation in close collaboration with rural communities preferred; 
• Previous work experience with the UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies is preferred; 
• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in oral and written Arabic and English is required.

• 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.