Project Manager

The Cities Alliance is a global partnership promoting the role of cities in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Since its establishment in 1999, the Cities Alliance has awarded more than 400 grants totalling over $110 m in more than 80 countries. The Cities Alliance is located within the UN system: while it was originally based at the World Bank in Washington DC, since 2013 it has been based in Brussels where it is hosted by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). 

The Cities Alliance has established an international reputation for its role in promoting coherence of effort in international development, identifying critical policy and knowledge gaps, convening members and partners, and delivering high-quality programmes. The context of its work is that of rapidly urbanising economies, the growth of cities of all sizes, and the role of the urban poor in general, and women in particular. Adopting a long-term and programmatic approach that recognises the catalytic nature of development assistance, the Cities Alliance seeks to work with and support local expertise and institutions, ensure citywide and nationwide approaches to development, and facilitate follow-up investments and impacts.

Background information – job specific

The Cities Alliance is preparing a multi-year engagement in Ethiopia with a focus on urban development and municipal finance in secondary cities. Against this background the Cities Alliance is seeking a highly motivated, experienced and skilled Project Manager to manage the implementation of the project. Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The main responsibility of a Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The successful candidate will demonstrate excellent knowledge of the key developmental challenges confronting contemporary Ethiopia, as well as a deep understanding of urban development and management and municipal finance. In addition, the candidate will have experience in project implementation involving local communities across multiple dimensions and strong project management and relationship building skills. 

The Project Manager will report to the Head of Programmes and work under the guidance of the Principal Urban Advisor, both based in Brussels (Belgium). S/he will work in partnership with Cities Alliance members and partners in Addis Ababa to drive the effective and efficient implementation of the project

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

2. Procedures 

3. Monitoring and reporting

4. Stakeholder engagement

5. Quality assurance

6. Knowledge management and innovation 

7. Personnel management

8. Gender Mainstreaming

Advanced university degree in project management, business administration, urban development, international development,  environmental studies; economics; or related disciplines.

A first level university degree combined with 2 additional years of relevant experience may substitute the advanced university degree.

PRINCE2 Foundation or a similar foundation level project/programme management certification (i.e. PMP, PMI) is desired. The successful incumbent will be required to complete PRINCE2® Foundation within the first 6 months. 

• At least 5 years with advanced university degree or 7 years with first level university degree of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations is required.

• Previous experience in managing projects funded by international bi- and multilateral development partners required. 

• Experience with USAID funded projects is considered an asset.

• Experience in managing, and motivating teams to deliver results on time, within budget, and against results-based performance indicators. Experience managing operational aspects of project management desired– preferably in UN context.

• Familiarity with the work of the Cities Alliance and other multilateral, bilateral and civil society development partners in urban development is desirable.

• Experience of promoting constructive dialogue between diverse stakeholders and of communicating clearly and respectfully at the highest levels of government and with civil society desired. 

• Willingness to travel both within Ethiopia and internationally as required.

[Instructions: Please delete this paragraph and insert relevant information below:

1. Contract type INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR AGREEMENT (ICA)
2. Contract level: LOCAL ICA SPECIALIST 
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
   
   
   For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

• 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
• 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.

PLEASE NOTE THAT ONLY ETHIOPIAN NATIONALS OR THOSE WHO HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIVE AND WORK IN ETHIOPIA ARE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THIS NATIONAL POSITION.

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.