Project Manager

The Government of Uganda, with the financial support of the IFC, EU, AFD and the AfDB, proposes to start construction of the Kampala - Jinja Expressway (KJE).

The proposed Kampala–Jinja Expressway (KJE) will be a four-lane highway linking Kampala with the town of Jinja in the Eastern Region. The KJE is the second biggest expressway project in Uganda after Entebbe Expressway. It will stretch over approximately 95km. 

To enable construction of the highway to start, the defined Right of Way (ROW) must be cleared of households, businesses and other social infrastructure. The affected households, businesses and infrastructure must be relocated appropriately in land-use terms and sensitively, according to household and business needs, adequate land should also be identified for this relocation and land demands for future development. The plan for the proposed KJE shows that among the most affected areas, will be the Kasokoso and Kinawataka informal settlements. 

UNOPS is to be engaged to undertake a number of Studies that are:-

• Feasibility Study - Undertake an in-situ upgrading, and densification feasibility study based on improved tenure rights for both Kasokoso and Kinawataka informal settlements.

• Land Audit Study – as part of the Feasibility Study undertake a land audit study to identify vacant Greenfield or under developed land that has the potential to be made accessible for settlement and affordable housing. It is not required to identify a precise plot but rather to provide a range of options and the information required for effective comparison and political decision making. The land audit study will identify, in the immediate short-term, land that can be planned and settled in a managed way based on a land use plan.

• Accessibility Impact Study - undertake accessibility impact study of the KJE on the Nakawa market.

There is need for these Studies to identify, in the immediate short-term, land that can be planned and settled in a managed way based on a land use plan. The feasibility study will include defining the size and carrying capacity of the selected site/s needed for in-situ upgrading.

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

The Project manager will work in close liaison with and  under the overall guidance of the Technical Services Unit manager and in close consultation with the UNOPS Uganda country manager. S/he 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 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. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.

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:

• Provide leadership, advice and guidance for the preparation of the Feasibility Study (Kasokoso and Kinawataka settlements), Land Audit Study, and Accessibility Impact Study for Nakawa Market.
• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the TSU Manager and in agreement with the Client
• 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
• Ensure technical completeness and accuracy of the work and conformance with the Clients requirements;
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life cycle;

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:

1. Highlight Reports
2. End Stage Reports
3. Operational Closure Checklist
4. End Project Report
5. 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

• Establish, lead and manage the team (technical and administrative)
• 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

Core Values and Principles:

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

1. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management
2. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place
3. Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

1. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans
2. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff
3. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

Partnerships and Coordination

1. Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system
2. 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

1. 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

Excellence

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

Monitoring and Progress Controls

Ensure that the project 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 is to be engaged to undertake a number of Studies that are:-

• Feasibility Study - Undertake an in-situ upgrading, and densification feasibility study based on improved tenure rights for both Kasokoso and Kinawataka informal settlements.

• Land Audit Study – as part of the Feasibility Study undertake a land audit study to identify vacant Greenfield or under developed land that has the potential to be made accessible for settlement and affordable housing. It is not required to identify a precise plot but rather to provide a range of options and the information required for effective comparison and political decision making. The land audit study will identify, in the immediate short-term, land that can be planned and settled in a managed way based on a land use plan.

• Accessibility Impact Study - undertake accessibility impact study of the KJE on the Nakawa market.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Urban Development, Town Planning, Urban Economics, Land Management, Civil Engineering or other relevant discipline is required.
• Masters Degree will be an asset

• Nine (9)  years of relevant experience including at least one year managing multi-disciplinary teams in combination with a Bachelor’s degree (or 7 years’ of relevant experience including at least one year managing multi-disciplinary teams in combination with a Master’s degree).
• Experience in urban planning and/or urban development is required.
• Previous experiences working on the preparation of feasibility study projects preferably in resettlement is highly desirable.

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.

1. Contract type; International Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level;. I-ICA 3, 
3. Contract duration; Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• This position is based in a family duty station

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KMCO)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South Africa. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.