Project Manager , Multiple positions

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) works with diverse partners  in areas including humanitarian, development, environment, mediation  and special  initiatives. These projects require ability to work in a fast pace, be solution oriented and politically sensitive.  UNOPS  activities range from tailor-made operations to  full scale implementation.

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 Project Manager will be expected to follow the project lifecycle from inception to completion using standard project lifecycle practices and artefacts. 

The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with directions, 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:

• 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 o cer, 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

• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Sta") Ensure safety and security for personnel under project 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 e"ectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii.          Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local sta"

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 e"ective 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

Excellence

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

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 in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.

 
Experience:

• Two 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.
• Ability to work with reporting including financial- Human resources is an asset but is not required for the position.
• Experience in organizing workshop preparation and logistics is an asset but is not required for the position

Language: 

• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of French, Spanish, Chinese, Arabic or Russian is considered an asset.

Certifications:

• PRINCE2® Foundation or similar an asset, but required completion within first 1 year of onboarding

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.

Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC)

Based in New York, the Sustainable Development Cluster (SDC) supports diverse partners with their peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations.

The SDC’s services include grants management, development and special initiatives support, and technology support to the UN and UN agencies.

The SDC is part of the New York Service Cluster that supports the United Nations Secretariat, as well as a broadening community of other New York-based United Nations organizations, bilateral and multilateral partners in the delivery of UNOPS mandate in project management, infrastructure management, and procurement management.