Senior Project Manager, Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Our objective for the remainder of 2021 and 2022 is to consolidate the implementation of our Strategy 2018-2021 - to become Known, Recognized and a Resource for our development partners on the ground, delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management. 

Background Information- UNOPS Mozambique

While UNOPS has a presence in Mozambique, building on our global experience successfully delivering projects in complex operating environments, a healthy pipeline of engagements are at various stages of discussion with our priority partners, particularly in the North.  This will require rapid onboarding and mobilization of technical and support personnel as new projects come online.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is looking for an experienced Project Manager to work with our team.  If you have experience leading teams, are excited to expand our sustainable project management  initiatives, are great at facilitating technical teams to develop specifications, are always ready to get hands on with the work and can lead partners through best practice in Project Management with Prince 2 certification, then this is your opportunity.

Interested candidates should note, the possible duty stations may include Maputo, the city of Pemba, in Cabo Delgado, Niassa and Nampula provinces, as needed.The Hardship level of Pemba is 4. 

Purpose and Scope of Assignment 

Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of a Senior 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.

Senior Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them.

Senior Project Manager is responsible for creating the  Project Implementation Plan (PIP), using the Project Initiation Documentation - including the Project Appraisal Document (PAD), Project Operations Manual (POM), as applicable - UNOPS Project Proposal, and the Project Agreement.  The Senior Project Manager is expected to have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

• Advanced University Degree in  Project Management, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, Engineering,  Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies  or other relevant discipline  is required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Finance, Economics, Supply Chain, Engineering,  Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies  or other relevant discipline with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree.

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is highly desired

• A minimum of 7 years of experience in implementing projects/programmes for international organizations within the development sector  is required

• At least 2 years experience in quality assurance methodologies and risk management is required

• At least 2 years of experience working on infrastructure projects is required

• Experience working with multidisciplinary  and multicultural teams is desired

• Experience implement international norms in Health and Safety is highly desirable

• Previous experience working with UNOPS in managing similar projects is an asset

• Experience with public procurement processes (including those of government or Development Partners) is a distinct  advantage

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage

• Demonstrated experience working with Government MDAs on donor funded projects is an asset

• Fluency in written and oral English required. 

• Intermediate level written and oral Portuguese or above 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
• 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.