Senior Project Manager

Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO):

The Asia Region (AR) - South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops, and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia, and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine EAPMCOs: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines, and EAPMCO Cambodia.

Background on EAPMCO Papua New Guinea:

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea office was formed in early 2020 to support infrastructure design and construction, sustainable procurement, capacity development, program management, and facilitate funding sources in Papua New Guinea. EAPMCO PNG has demonstrated significant growth and portfolio diversification potential. It is recognized as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health governance, sustainable procurement, and capacity development support to the Government of PNG.

EAPMCO Papua New Guinea Project Information:

Ongoing Projects:

Papua New Guinea Covid-19 Emergency Procurement: A $10.4 million project funded by the World Bank, supporting the Government of PNG's testing capacity for COVID-19 and strategies for post-Covid recovery. UNOPS is responsible for the procurement and installation of incinerators in health facilities and solar installations in hospitals.

Health Procurement Project PNG (Emergency TB): In collaboration with the World Bank and the National Department of Health, UNOPS supports the supply of medical equipment, consumables, laboratory, and medical supplies to improve the quality and expand coverage of health services in Western Province, Daru Island, and National Capital District.

PNG WASH Project: Jointly implemented by UNICEF, Water PNG, and UNOPS, this EU-funded project aims to increase access to and utilization of safe water supply, sanitation, and improved hygiene practices in locations with high population concentrations. UNOPS is responsible for the technical implementation of the infrastructure component.

Renewable Energy Project: Implemented by UNOPS and funded by the Australian government, this project aims to provide practical and sustainable energy access solutions in Telefomin, Daru, Buka, and Baiya. The project focuses on developing optimal technologies for local mini-grids using a solar PV/hydropower hybrid system.

Pipeline Projects:

UNOPS PNG office has several projects which are in the process of being finalized this year, 2023. These project sites are based in the following areas: Telefomin, Daru, Baiyer, Jiwaka and Milne Bay. These projects encompass health infrastructure and sustainable procurement, climate change resilient infrastructure, and community development infrastructure.

Local context

In Papua New Guinea, the staffing contingent is expected to grow over the next few months to implement the current projects as well as pipeline engagements that are expected to materialize over the coming months  in 2023.

To support the planning and implementation of the above projects, UNOPS is hiring a Senior Project Manager for the country office to manage the projects. The Senior Project Manager will become a member of the country project team and provide technical support to new and existing projects in portfolio Project Management. 

Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager based in the country office, the Senior Project Manager will be responsible for carrying out the  activities listed under the functional areas, during the inception and implementation phases.

The Senior Project Manager will be expected to liaise with all country and regional office personnel. The overall purpose of the role is to support the technical team, in particular the Country Manager and Regional Project Manager, by performing a range of activities to ensure the completion of the project’s work packages and deliverables.

The Senior Project Manager  is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the projects and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of a Senior Project Manager  is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

Senior Project Manager  has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them.

Senior Project Manager  is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Project Manager/Senior Project Manager  will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment:

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing key project stakeholders across local, central government agencies, statutory and non-statutory bodies (including environment & technical organizations), communities and other parties to establish strong working relationships.

The Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of the Senior Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. They are expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.The Senior Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them.

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

Main responsibilities: 

Under the overall supervision of the Country Manager and in accordance with UNOPS procedures and practices the incumbent will be responsible for the following: 

Summary of functions:

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

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s).

• Implement the approved plan (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 span. 

• 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 Implementation Plan.

• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.

• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.

• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.

• Control project and work packages changes.

• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.

• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS.

• Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual.

• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.

• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan.

• Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.

• 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 expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).

• Where the Senior 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.

• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager.

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

• Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

• 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 dashboard system.

• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span.

• 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.

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply 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, 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 Senior Project Managers and the wider PM 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.

• Lead and motivate the project management team

• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established 

• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely

• Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity 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.

Impact of Results 

The Senior Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.  This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of  UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Education:

• Advanced University Degree, preferably in Project Management, Public Health, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Development Studies, Political Science, Finance, Economics, Human Resources, or other related fields, is required.

• First-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience:

• Minimum of seven (7) years of working experience in project management, project development, or project operational support in combination with an advanced degree is required.

• Public Health experience in Papua New Guinea is desirable.

• Experience in working with government counterparts, international organizations, and donors in the health sector is desirable.

• Experience in administration, procurement and coordination with multi-stakeholders or related fields is desired.

• Experience in writing project progress reports, project communications, stakeholder management and M&E frameworks is an asset.

• Experience working with UNOPS, UN or other humanitarian/development agencies is an asset.

• Proficiency in computers and Google Office Suite or Google Workspace is desirable. 

• Experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

Languages:

• Full working knowledge of  English is required.

• Working knowledge of Tok Pisin is an asset.

• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset.

1. Contract type: LICA
2. Contract level: ICS 11 / LICA-11
3. Contract duration: Open-ended

• 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.