Senior Project Manager

UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

The New York Portfolios Office (NYPO) supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management. 

The Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development operations. It was formed by combining the following portfolios: Grants Management Services (GMS), UN Technology Support Services (UNTSS), Development and Special Initiatives Portfolio (DSIP) It provides Services to partners' programmes that are designed, structured, and managed with a global perspective and primarily serving partners that are headquartered in New York.  The SDC has a footprint of approximately 125 countries.

Our UN partner has requested the assistance of UNOPS in establishing a uniform methodology for overseeing ICT projects and assistance with ICT project management. In order to achieve this objective, UNOPS is seeking the expertise of skilled professionals to collaborate with the Project Management Office (PMO) in developing policies, resources, and proficiency to foster effective project management techniques for the global ICT community. Additionally, as required, this capability will also provide direct project management services to particular projects within the partner’s portfolio.

UNOPS has entered into a service-oriented agreement with the UN ICT partner to deliver support in various ICT domains. The objective of this function is to support our partner in executing the activities outlined in this TOR. 

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and in coordination with the partner manager, the Senior Project Manager will be performing the following functions:

Summary of Functions:

1. Project Management Office (PMO)

2. Project Management 

3. Project Management Tool

• Lead the communication with partners to collect, compile and report the information related to the progress of key strategic projects. 

• Provide the oversight and compliance of partner programmes and projects globally, as detailed in relevant technology strategic and governance documents.  

• Establish local project management structures in line with corporate standards, and train project managers as needed. 

• Review, improve and maintain standardized set of project management methodologies, standards and templates for all ICT entities across the UN Secretariat. 

• Disseminate project management standards and templates to all ICT stakeholders on the partner side.  

• Prepare regular reports for partner’s Senior Management on project progress, key risks and issues, and highlight any matters that require senior management attention for their projects. 

• Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

• Spearhead efforts to assign project managers to various assignments in different technology projects, based on predefined conditions, such as capacity, expertise, availability and priority. 

• Plan and manage assigned projects by working with the partner in accordance with agreed upon methodology and project management best practices. 

• Coordinate quarterly Global Project Oversight Board meetings, periodic meetings as required. 

• 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.

• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

• Take a lead role in ensuring compliance of the project management governance of partner’s projects in the project management tool environment. 

• Serve as a custodian of information for assigned projects in the project management tool.

The Senior Project Manager assists in managing and leading project management scope of work. S/he will manage clients’ expectations, resources and deliveries. S/he will adhere to all governance and process established by the partner.

*FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree) in Information Technology, Business Administration, Engineering or related discipline is required.

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in Information Technology, Business Administration, Engineering or related discipline and 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

• PMP or PRINCE 2 certification is highly desirable 

Work Experience / Language:

Required experience: 

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in leading and managing complex ICT projects/operations or engineering solutions;

• Within these 7 years:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience in leading and managing large scale complex project

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in working with MS Project or similar enterprise tools

• Experience in establishing a PMO in a large organization 

Desired experience: The following experience is optional. Candidates who do not have it are welcome to apply

• Sound experience on information systems management and support

• Strong knowledge of broad administrative functional activities, and practical business analysis experience

• Knowledgeable about UN system policies and operations an advantage

Language:

• Fluency in English (read, write, speak) is required. 

• Knowledge of another United Nations official language is 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. 

• 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.

• 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.