Deputy Project Manager

The European School for the Eastern Partnership in Georgia

“The Eastern Partnership European School” Project is the first phase of a wider initiative by the European Commission (EC) for the six Eastern Partnership countries, a flagship Project and one of the "Eastern Partnership - 20 Deliverables for 2020", to address the needs of youth, focusing on the secondary education. The School for the Eastern Partnership offers high quality education to pupils from partner countries to increase their educational and employment opportunities, fostering co-operation, multi-cultural understanding, tolerance, and fundamental values, and promoting a better understanding of the EU and its engagement in the region. In this phase, a partnership with an existing Tbilisi (Georgia) based school will be developed, which can serve as a launch pad for the European Neighbourhood School roll-out. The gradual approach also favors further development and improvement of the school's operations and educational offer over time. Through the Project, a new dormitory style boarding facility is foreseen to be constructed, equipped and become operational subject to final site choice and ownership approvals.

The Deputy Project Manager will work closely with the Project Manager in ensuring the project is implemented in timely and quality fashion. He/she will take the lead in day to day management issues ensuring that the specific project components are meeting their targets as previously set. The Deputy Project Manager will deputize the Project Manager in absence.

Success of the Project(s) and hence Deputy Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. The Deputy Project Manager delivers to the project life cycle. He/she must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

Stakeholder Management:

• Support and build strong working relationship with the donor, line ministries of the Government of the Georgia, beneficiary and other key stakeholders
• Support the coordination and management of communication and ensure stakeholders are aware of Project activities.
• Support the Project beneficiary in the structuring and delivery of project activities whilst advising on UNOPS policies, procedures and working practices as well as on practical and implementation matters.
• If delegated by the Project Manager:

1. Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
2. Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance).

Delivery and Performance

• Contribute to the development of project plans within the relevant project objectives and outputs.
• Coordinate and liaise with the Project Manager on the implementation progress. 
• Advise the Project Manager of any deviations from the plan and update plans.
• Consult the Project Manager on product/service quality and ensure products/services are accepted.
• Support the Project in monitoring and evaluation of Project performance.
• Preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project reports.
• Manage information flows and oversee change controls, risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures
• Work with Project Manager to identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into Project life cycle
• Ensure good governance concept, principles and practices are incorporated into the activities where applicable, in accordance with the Project objectives and methodology
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS’ internal business case to Project Manager.
• As delegated by the Project manager, monitor and evaluate performance of service providers.
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to a supervisor.

Procedures

• Follow the Project Cycle Management Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions.
• Work with the Programme and Operations Team to ensure that all expenditure complies with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR)
• Maintain a principal role for project reporting ensuring compliance with contractual obligations.
• Contribute to identification and assessment of risks and implement mitigation measures in accordance with the Risk Management Strategy
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project.

Knowledge Management

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Contribute to identification and sharing of the Project’s lessons learned and the best practices

Personnel Management

• Drafting of Terms of Reference (ToR) for Project personnel, monitor and evaluate their performance where appropriate.
• Support the Project Manager in selecting, recruiting and training Project personnel and external consultants as required by project plans.

Core Values and Principles

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles.
• Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management.
• Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place.
• Champion and communicate Project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders.
• Understand and respect national ownership and capacity.
• Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

Partnerships and Coordination

• Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system.
• Know the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and seek to contribute within the deliverables of the project.

Accountability for results and the use of resources:

• Support the Project Manager in maximum accountability and transparency for the project results delivery.

• Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality in Project coordination on the international level.

Education

• Advanced University Degree preferably in project management, business administration, economics, social sciences, engineering or development studies is required
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience in project management, business administration, economics, social sciences, engineering or development studies may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree

Work Experience

• A minimum of two years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in the field of Project Management with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination is required
• Previous experience with UNOPS or an UN Agency is an advantage

Certification

• PRINCE2® Foundation will be considered as an asset
• PRINCE2® Practitioner will be considered as an asset

Language requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Fluency in Georgian is required

• Driving license and ability to travel independently is 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.