Infrastructure and Project Management Specialist

Background information - IPMG

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organisation that delivers economically and socially sustainable world-class infrastructure, and do so even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). 

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organisation’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has established six interrelated and interdependent technical streams, namely, Strategic Initiatives, Standards, Engagement Assurance, Gender Equality and Inclusion (GESI), Grant Support and Transformation, that are supported by the Portfolio Support team.IPMG is managed overall by the Director of IPMG.

The Engagement Assurance (EA) unit, is one part of these units in IPMG and provides an organisational oversight function and considers the application of standards, guidance and best practice throughout the execution of programmes and associated projects.

This unit delivers oversight functions through three teams, that of the Risk Based Performance Assessment team (RBPA), the Organisational Portfolio Management Office team (OPMO) and the Infrastructure Design Review Team (DR).

• IPMG's Risk-based Performance Assessment (RBPA) process aims to assist UNOPS Operational Hubs (OH), Operation Centres (OC), and Project Centres (PC) in understanding how portfolios, programmes and projects are being delivered in line with UNOPS systems and processes. These assessments look to define both the organisational and operational risk exposure of the office and support not only the mitigation of risk but also the development of organisational systems, process and standards.    

• IPMG’s Organisational Portfolio Management Office (OPMO) also assists in the identification of risks and issues associated with portfolios, programmes and projects. The team has a central function of overseeing system-based engagement / programme and project activity and monitoring adherence to policy, process, systems and tools across the organisation with a specific focus on infrastructure and project management.

• IPMG’s Design Review team have the role of assuring the quality of all infrastructure designs developed and delivered within UNOPS.  The primary aims are to ensure that minimum requirements for life safety and functionality of design is maintained and to achieve a consistent, effective and efficient approach in infrastructure activities for our donors and beneficiaries

Under the overall guidance of the Head of Engagement Assurance,  the incumbent shall:

• Identify suitable designs for development of templates and the conditions under which model designs can be used.

• Coordinate the development of model designs (drawings, specifications, calculations, BOQ) for quick deployment in support of new engagements.

• Review infrastructure projects and portfolios with a focus on identifying potential risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPMG colleagues and in line with corporate policy and compliance framework;

• Assist with application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices pertaining to infrastructure and project management, to the field offices;

• Work closely with other IPMG units to ensure the consistency of the advice provided

• Provide backup support to infrastructure practitioners on matters relating to the management of infrastructure grants management.

Contribute to business efficiency:

• Work closely with other IPMG units on system enhancements, outlining Project Management and Infrastructure requirements;

• Support corporate and cross-functional initiatives and contribute towards the development of internal policies, processes and systems that are practical, relevant, and add value to organisational operations;

• Support IPMG initiatives and tasks, working closely with other corporate units and policy owners.

Build and maintain an active body of IPMG knowledge:

• Contribute to project management and infrastructure knowledge and information management within the team and across the organisation;

• Participate in and support with the development of Project Management and Infrastructure training to relevant field personnel and other internal clients.

Support to design review:

• Review structural design drawings, technical specifications, and BOQs in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall design requirements, identifying aspects where designs do not comply with minimum codes and standards and IPMG policies, and providing practical guidance for design improvement.

• Apply technical expertise and professional experience to support projects by providing guidance in the development of designs to achieve technical objectives.

• Apply professional judgement to ensure the safety, functionality and fitness of infrastructure while recognizing the circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context.

Education 

• An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent such as MEng, MSc) in Civil Engineering or relevant field is required;

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent such as BEng, BSc) in Civil Engineering or similar in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience 

• A minimum of 5 years work experience in an Engineering and/or Construction management role is required;

• Within these 5 years, minimum of 4 years work experience in Project Management is required;

• Experience working in developing countries in an international environment is highly desired;

• Experience with the UN, especially UNOPS is highly desirable;.

• Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is an asset;

• Experience working in and providing technical solutions for post-conflict and / or post disaster environments is an asset;

• PRINCE2® Practitioner certification is an asset.

Languages 

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, required.

• Fluency in Spanish and/or French, written and verbal, required.

Contract type: Retainer or Full-time

** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **

An ICA retainer contract will be issued to the successful candidate. 

While the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an ICA retainer contract for intermittent work, subject to budget availability and business needs, UNOPS may offer a full-time short-term or open-ended (no end date) contract - with the possibility to go back and forth between the two contract modalities.

Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract whereby the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable within a specified period of time, on short notice. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad-hoc requests from the UNOPS project teams or country offices, and the quantity of requests will vary depending on the current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA. It is possible to have multiple consultancy contracts with or outside UNOPS, as long as it is declared to the UNOPS Ethics Office. Read more about the ICA retainer modality here. 

• 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.