Project Manager

UNHCR has requested UNOPS for assistance in carrying out a Feasibility Study and preparation of preliminary and detail designs for a Water Distribution System for 3 resettlement areas in Northern Uganda; specifically; Bidibidi, Imvepi and Rhino, and the neighboring host communities. Since July 2016, the South Sudan refugee emergency situation in Uganda has dramatically peaked. The country has received a historic single largest refugee influx from South Sudan with a total of 674,033 new refugee arrivals in Uganda in 2016 until the end of March 2017.

The South Sudan refugee population hosted by Uganda has more than tripled in comparison with the end-2015 population, reaching a total of 898,864 South Sudan refugees in the country as of April 2017. Majority of these refugees are hosted in the West Nile in the settlements of Bidibidi, Rhino and Imvepi among other settlements.

This has resulted in exceptional constraints on the capacities to deliver effective WASH services to the refugee populations in the settlements and therefore necessitates a strategic approach to address the WASH interventions taking into consideration integrated water resources management.

-          Advantages and disadvantages,

-          Cost estimates,

-          Schematic designs,

-          Environmental assessments & Sustainability solutions,

-          Operation & maintenance schemes,

-          Training and capacity building proposal,

-          Rehabilitation plans of existing water supply sources (if applicable).

Based on UNHCR’s endorsement of the feasibility study, the Project Manager will deliver the preliminary designs with estimated costing and the detail designs with a complete package of BOQs and specifications/reports for tender, of the selected and approved option. The deliverable will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

1. The design of the entire integrated water supply system with all associated components and facilities;
2. Assumptions, design parameters, coefficients, constants, formulas, detailed calculation sheets,
3. Necessary drawings (layouts, profiles, sections, etc.)
4. Proposed packaging / phasing of the project for implementation
5. Detailed cost break down for the project as a whole and for each package separately
6. Water quality control / treatment and or water treatment facilities with all necessary design details

Project Management Related Tasks

The 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. Success of the Project(s) and hence Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the given responsibilities. The project(s) would rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery and would be working with firm deadlines. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities.

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries.  He/ she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish 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
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project(s)

Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved project plans (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 cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and Country Manager/ Head of Implementation of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board: 

                                i.            Project Initiation Documentation;

                              ii.            Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions

• Prepare the following reports:

                                i.            Highlight Reports

                              ii.            End Stage Reports

                            iii.            Operational Closure Checklist

                             iv.            End Project Report

                               v.            Handover Report

• Maintain the following:

                                i.            Electronic Blue File;

                              ii.            Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.

• 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 and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the 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.

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the Head of Implementation
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

Technical Expert Tasks:

• Review of all relevant, previous and present, studies and designs that could have impact on this study and complement missing data. Including desktop studies for water engineering and hydrogeology for BidiBidi, Imvepi and Rhino Ground and surface water assessments
• Coordinate with all stakeholders that have impact on the study/project such as the WASH sector, Ministry of Water and Environment, Local Development Groups, Office of the Prime Minister, for the collection of data and coordination of the proposed plans.
• Assess and explore the viability and possible utilization of the existing water supply sources in existing settlements and neighbouring host communities and propose the development of new water supply sources if existing sources don’t provide the quality and quantity of water needed.
• Technical Review and approval of the deliverables from the Engineering Firm.
• Quality Assurance - ensure all the deliverables are produced as per TOR specification, on time and as per quality standards. This role will be done in close collaboration with the UNOPS KEOH Design Services Unit and the UNOPS Senior Settlement Specialist, and with oversight from the UNOPS Uganda Country Manager.

Leadership for Conduct of Technical Assessments

• Development of the TOR for procurement and contracting of the local engineering firm(s) – in close collaboration with UNOPS’ KEOH Design Services Unit Manager
• Management and oversight of contracting processes and contract supervision. All expert consultant will be selected by open and competitive tender.
• Day to Day Contract Management of the selected engineering firm
• Provide sound and relevant strategic and technical advice on these matters.

Policy Related Tasks

• In coordination with other team members, lead the assessment of the economic, environmental and humanitarian problems associated with the current practice in water supply delivery and management.

Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs to deliver the given scope of works.

• Advanced University Degree in Civil Engineering, or other engineering or science fields, with focus on water or related field is required. A bachelor`s degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred
• PMP certification – Preferred

• A minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in the field of water engineering is desired. Additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree
• Previous experience in water systems in Africa is preferred.
• Experience managing projects in vulnerable communities is a strong asset
• Demonstrated experience in writing feasibility studies, design and supervision of construction projects is desired
• Strong capacity-building skills is desired
• Proficiency in data collection and analysis is desired.
• Proficiency in water systems software is desired

• Fluency in English Language is required.

• 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

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• 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.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in South Sudan and a portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya based East Africa Hub office. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several island states.