Project Manager

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a highly fragile country with a history of recurrent conflict, the most recent of which took place in 2013 between multiple armed groups. The violence that followed the 2013 crisis greatly damaged public assets and infrastructure, disrupted service delivery, and further weakened the social fabric, and exacerbated people’s poverty and vulnerability to shocks. As a result, roughly one-quarter of the population was internally displaced or had to flee as refugees to neighboring countries. Forced displacement has disrupted livelihoods, depleted the assets of the poor, and put an additional strain on service delivery in areas of displacement.

Improvements in the security situation have resulted in the voluntary return of displaced populations, primarily in the northwest and southwest of the country. It is estimated that about 15 to 20 percent of the displaced population has returned spontaneously. However, the return of the displaced to the areas of origin remains fragile and dependent on the overall security situation. The reintegration of displaced populations and provision of social safety nets is a short term priority and essential to the stabilization and economic revitalization of the country.

To this end, the World Bank is supporting the Government of CAR to prepare a project to increase access to basic services, infrastructure and social safety nets by communities affected by forced displacement. The project will be implemented through UNOPS, and during the first preparatory and pilot phase, it will work in the following areas: Kaga-bandoro, Batafongo, Bria, Bambari and Bangui.

The project adopts a multifaceted approach in support of communities affected by displacement in CAR and it entails 1) support to enhance the delivery of local services and availability of local infrastructure to benefit communities impacted by displacement; 2) financial support to the most vulnerable households among displaced populations and local communities; 3) working with local communities and displaced populations to enhance their capacity to address the impact of displacement and promote peaceful coexistence of different groups; and 4) to enable local authorities (territorial administration and communes) to participate in planning and overseeing the execution of all activities executed under this project

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management and coordination of the main project phase which follows the project pilot phase which will end in 2017.Through the provision of operational and capacity building services to the government ministries, NGO and consulting partners/stakeholders and to local beneficiary communities. He/she will provide the strategic vision of the office, play a key advisory role to the government, and ensure that the project results are delivered on time and to a high standard.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The PM will be directly supervised by the Head of Office (HoO) in CAR, under the overall direction of the CDOH Head of Programme based in DRC.

3.1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The Project Manager is responsible for producing/reviewing the project initiation documents (PID) and all other background document, the Legal Agreement and for having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project’s products meet the business cases for UNOPS, the government client(s), and the funder. Also the Project Manager is responsible for the overall management of project implementation and day-to-day operations (aligned with work plan) toward successful project completion. Success of the Project(s) and hence of the Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
• Effectively manage firms, NGO sub-contractors, consultants and staff for studies and assessments, project activities and support to deliver project products on timely manner
• Work closely with the national and local authorities and ensure they are fully implicated during each stage of the project
• Help build the national capacity of national and local government officials by involving them in the project design, planning and implementation and monitoring activities of the project
• Ensure that national authorities play a central role in decision making processes which should be well documented
• 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)
• Manage the information flows between the Technical Committee, the Project Board, HoO & HoP and the project team.

Project Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• 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, social 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 HoO 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 (Monthly)

ii.           End Stage Report

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:

• Manage and mentor the National Deputy Project Coordination and build up his/her capacity so that he/she is able to lead the project into its second phase
• Manage and mentor associated ministerial partner-personnel
• 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 HoO and HoP
• 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

Core Values and Principles:

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

I.          Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

II.         Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

III.       Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity:

i.          Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii.          Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

iii.          Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

Partnerships and Coordination:

i.          Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

ii.          Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners

Accountability for results and the use of resources

i.          The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue to a supervisor

Operational Excellence

i.          Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Additional Requirements:

Coordination:

• Coordinate Technical Committees and Project Board to ensure review, inputs, feedback and approvals/alignment with government/ministerial partners, consultants undertaking studies, UNOPS staff and World Bank managers on project issues, deliverable progress, and results for the success of the project
• Coordinate UNOPS staff, ministerial staff, consultants, and stakeholders for efficient capacity building and operational support activities
• Coordinate pilot project and its local and national government partners, NGO and beneficiary population representative stakeholders
• Coordinate project staff, Government partners, World Bank project managers and study consultants/firms during studies activities to ensure alignment and successful implementation

Coordination of Procurement of goods and services:

• Coordinates strategic Planning, implementation and oversight of procurement of goods and services in coordination with the CDOH procurement unit
• Develops and maintains the strategic role of procurement in provision of cost effective and efficient supply and service solutions that contribute to achievement of broader office and organizational objectives
• Adheres to tools and guidelines to assist customer units/portfolios in procurement activities. Ensures that risk assessments are undertaken as needed particularly for large value procurement contracting in consultation with relevant business owner
• Supports the Procurement Advisor to secure compliance with UNOPS Financial Rules & Regulations, General Terms & Conditions, and Auditor's recommendations/ observations in all procurement activities
• Supports in preparations of all Invitations to Bid, Requests for Proposal, Award Recommendations above $50K, CPC Submissions (HQCPC/LCPC) and Contracts
• Coordinates development of procurement plans and strategies for the project
• Supports in overseeing adherence to contractual agreements, recommend amendments and contract extensions, advise concerned parties with respect to contractual rights/obligations
• Assists in development and maintenance of appropriate supplier performance management system

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• 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

UNOPS Office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) serves five countries: DRC, the Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic.

• Advanced University Degree in Engineering, Local Development Planning, Urban Planning, Project Management, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, Local Development Planning, Project Management or other international development relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in programme/project management is required.
• Solid experience managing large integrated programmes at a strategic level with financial oversight is desirable.
• Solid experience of managing, or having a worked in a senior position with  a large multi-donor fund is desirable
• Solid practical experience in working with the UN, multilateral donors, Non-governmental organizations, or with public sector is required
• Solid experience of working in urban, peri-urban and rural development, on community infrastructure rehabilitation/construction and on cross cutting agendas is desirable
• Working experience and knowledge in Central Africa will be a strong asset. Previous experience in Africa will also be an asset
• Experience and understanding of working in fragile states is an asset
• Experience of sector wide approaches in post conflict contexts, social service infrastructure and local development sector will be an asset.
• Managing previous WB-funded projects would be considered a strong asset

• Fluency in both written and oral French and English required

• 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.
• 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.