Project Manager

Following the devastating earthquakes of 2015, UNOPS has been deeply engaged in various activities supporting the government of Nepal in the assessment of damaged buildings and enrollment of beneficiaries into housing grant schemes. UNOPS is expanding its footprint in post-earthquake reconstruction and aims to support homeowners engaged in the reconstruction process. These projects aim to provide Socio-Technical assistance to individual households, develop innovative approaches to retrofitting of earthquake damaged houses and to provide services to the most vulnerable households to ensure no-one is left behind.

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 below responsibilities.  The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager Level 3 are similar to that of the Project Manager Level 4, with the difference in grades being determined by the project(s) level, complexity and level of responsibility of the specific position. A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for one or more UNOPS Level 3 project. A project manager at this level would likely be expected to manage one or more complex and risky projects. 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. 

The PM, will support the existing PM in directly managing one or more of the following projects. 

1. Retrofitting project: Retrofit at least 1,000 damaged and vulnerable houses in Nepal. Train at least 7,000 masons and 2,000 engineers in earthquake resistant retrofitting techniques. Create awareness and demand of retrofitting across the earthquake affected districts of Nepal.

2. Socio-Technical Facilitation: Provide Socio-technical assistance to over 23,000 HH in an earthquake effected district of Nepal. Ensure that homeowners have access to information, cost-effective earthquake resistant house designs, provide technical support in the form of roving teams of Social mobilisers, engineers and masons to support homeowner to re-construct their homes to be earthquake resilient and compliant with Government of Nepal Inspection Guidelines and support homeowners to receive reconstruction grants.

3. Leave no-one behind: A short term pilot project to pilot new / innovative ways to engage the most vulnerable members of earthquake affected communities in the reconstruction process. Identify the barriers to entry and provide solutions, such that beneficiaries have the knowledge, resources and confidence to engage in the reconstruction process.

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:

• 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 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 OC Manager 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: if applicable

• 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 OC Director
• 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

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline;
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience 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.                                                  

Work Experience

• 7 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
• At least 3 years’ professional experience in project management is required;
• At least 3 years' professional experience (each) in stakeholder management, reporting, monitoring and coordination is required;
• Experience in post-disaster contexts required;
• Experience of working with multi-disciplinary experts and managing diverse team to deliver the OC’s objectives and goals is desirable;
• Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, donors, security and operations management is desirable;
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Infrastructure, Procurement, Finance, HR Management and administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage;
• Knowledge of UN core values, rules and regulations an asset is an advantage;
• Ability to plan and organize tasks effectively;
• Excellent coordination skills is desirable;
• Knowledge of Nepal context an advantage;
• Computer literate (MS Excel and Word)  and ability to operate Enterprise Resource Planning Systems is preferred;

Language

• Proficiency in English is required.

• PRINCE2 Foundation Certification is required
• PRINCE2 Practitioner is an asset and required completion within first 6 months of on-boarding
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)

• 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.