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 organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, 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 organization’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.

The Standards Team aims to reduce organizational risks, improve Project/Programme and Portfolio Management Services performance (P3M services hereafter referred to as ‘Projects’), and promote excellence across UNOPS projects. It is aimed to be achieved through the fit-for-purpose UNOPS Implementation Standards Management Framework (ISMF) as well as by improving the quality and usefulness of IPMG resources through the formulation and implementation of ISMF quality standards on the development and management of IPMG policies, standards, guidance, tools and templates (content). 

Background information - Job-specific

Under the overall supervision of the Manager of Standards, the incumbent would be primarily responsible for the production of policies, standards, technical manuals, guidance documents, presentations, and briefing documents to support UNOPS in the delivery of Project/Programme and Portfolio Management Services (P3M services).

The project management specialist will be responsible for understanding the needs and challenges in the organization for P3M services, coordinating, drafting, editing and consolidating content development as identified in the Standards team work plan. The project management specialist will be required to liaise with UNOPS stakeholders to develop standards, and guidance as well as collect, consolidate and incorporate input and feedback from relevant personnel. Coordination and integration of inputs from all sources and maintaining consistency and tailoring to the organizational needs is an integral part of the assignment.

Working in the Standards team of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG), the successful incumbent will be expected to; 

• Responsible for defining the objectives of content development and its scope

• Responsible for coordinating delivery, drafting, and consolidating content 

• Responsible for liaising with UNOPS stakeholders to develop policy, standards, guidance, tools, templates, and gathering inputs

• Responsible for carrying out required research and desk review 

• Responsible for collecting, consolidating, processing, and providing feedback to stakeholders,

• Responsible for ensuring content is consistent with existing organizational strategies, policies, practices, rules and regulations and is tailored to the organizational needs to enable project implementation.

• Ensure they are aligned with concepts and content that exist 

• Ensure that standards team stakeholders are informed of the initiatives and implications on content that the Standards team might be responsible for and lead in taking the required action.

• Provide substantive contributions to UNOPS infrastructure and project management practice.

• Act as the subject matter expert in determining the organizational gaps in project management, formulating resources for capacity-building or training initiatives, and delivering training.

• Organize, facilitate, and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on areas of expertise.

• Contribute to dissemination and communication of content developed in IPMG/Standards throughout the organizational units; 

• Identify areas for improvement and provide on-going maintenance and updates of the UNOPS Intranet space with the most current information, relevant to project management activities.
• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and disseminating best practices in his/her area of work.
• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and put them to use productively.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Responsible for meeting and setting goals, targets and performance standards; reporting on own progress against work plan.

• Responsible for supporting the timely delivery of products and work packages under Standards Workplan.

• Establish and maintain a planning and progress monitoring tool for all planned activities.

• Ongoing assessment of task completion, which meets quality expectations.

• Regular monitoring and reporting on activities.

Education 

• An Advanced University Degree or a Master's degree is required.

• A first-level University degree or Bachelor's or equivalent with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted instead of the Master's degree requirement.

• Studies (Bachelor’s or Master’s) in a relevant subject area to IPMG’s focus, such as project management,  architecture, engineering (civil/mechanical), construction management,  international development, or political science or related is required.

Experience 

• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in project-related management roles with a Master’s is required. The project management roles should have been either in development or emergency context. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience is required with Bachelor’s.

• The above professional experience must include at least 2 years of experience in the development and drafting of strategies, policies, guidance etc on project management for the office, region or corporate. 

• A minimum of 2 years of experience managing personnel is required.

• Experience with Google Suite/Workplace tools and applications is required.

• Experience in a broad spectrum of projects (such as the delivery of physical infrastructure, grants, fund management) is highly desirable.

• Some experience or familiarity with Adobe Creative Cloud applications, in particular Adobe InDesign and Adobe Illustrator, is an advantage.

• Experience within the UN system or with UNOPS is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in English required; 

• Fluency (or proficiency) in Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Certifications

• Any project management certification such as PRINCE2® or MSP® Foundation and Practitioner Certifications is highly desired.

• LEED or other certifications are an asset.

• 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 

• 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.