Project Manager

UNOPS Sri Lanka

UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include development of sustainable infrastructure, procurement and project management in education sector, fisheries sector, roads, health sector, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation facilities; and integrated solid waste management services. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership and sustainability of projects.

Through the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) - Gender promotion initiative, UNWomen and UNOPS are implementing the project – “Promoting Women’s Engagement in Waste Management to Prevent Conflict in Sri Lanka”. The project takes an innovative, integrated approach to peacebuilding, tackling ethno-religious tensions by bringing communities together to provide a sustainable solution for a shared environmental issue, with women at the forefront for conflict prevention. Solid waste management related interventions will be used as a unique vehicle for uniting communities on a common issue. The project will focus on empowering women by supporting their engagement in governance mechanisms and in community resilience initiatives; it will also explore creating economic opportunities and initiating peacebuilding activities to allay communal tensions related to waste management and beyond. UNOPS will take the technical lead on Solid Waste Management (SWM) and on delivering the outcome of: Communities (with a specific focus on women) are effectively engaged and empowered through  strengthening of SWM systems focusing on resolving conflicts related to SWM.

“Promoting Women’s Engagement in Waste Management to Prevent Conflict in Sri Lanka” is implemented in 4 local authorities in Puttalam district and improves service provision of solid waste management services. The project will be implemented in partnership with selected UN agency and other local counterparts. It focuses on following key elements. 

• Improve service delivery

• Improve productivity of facilities

• Cleaning illegal dumpsites in the target areas

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. They will be provided with guidance and support by the PMO and Project Managers at level 3 and/or 4 to ensure key project components and artefacts are in place. The Project Manager will often find him/herself delivering work-streams within a project and as such will be accountable to level 3 or 4 Project Managers responsible for that project(s).

The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager Level 1 are similar to that of the Project Manager Level 2, with the difference in grades being determined by the project 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 1 project(s).

• Advanced University Degree is required.
• 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 advanced university degree.
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
• Prince 2 Practitioner desirable. 

• 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.
• Experience in managing a project team is required.
• Minimum two years experience in solid waste management projects is required.
• Minimum two years experience in community mobilization is required. 
• Prior work experience in dealing/working with Local Authorities is an advantage.

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of one of the officially recognized native languages of Sri Lanka is an asset.

Contract type:  Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA Specialist (LICA9) 
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

• The position is open to Sri Lankan nationals only.
• 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
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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 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.