Project Manager

Facility (GEF) administered by the World Bank. It aims to support the Ministry of Environment (MoE) in Lebanon to reduce Unintentional Persistent Organic Pollutants (UPOPs) emissions and to improve solid waste management. The project will address critical barriers for reducing UPOPs emitted from the waste disposal and open burning processes by approximately 12% and minimize the adverse impacts to public health and environmental risks. In addition, the project will contribute to building the circular economy as a pathway for Lebanon’s green growth and sustainable development in the post COVID-19 era.

The Project comprises four components, out of which three components will be directly implemented by UNOPS, these are as follows:

i) Component 1: Strengthen Regulatory Framework and Capacities for Sustainable Waste Management in the Circular Economy which aims to improve the policy framework, build capacity and long-term planning for applying a circular economy model in waste management.

ii) Component 2: Demonstrations on 3R Practices (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and Best Available Techniques/ Best Environmental Practices (BATs/BEPs) at Open Dumpsite in Selected Geographic Zones. This component aims to provide investments to demonstrate: (1) 3R practices to reduce waste entering dumpsites/landfills in selected Solid Waste serviced zones; and (2) BATs and BEPs to eliminate open burning at selected dumpsites.

iii) Component 3: Project Monitoring and Evaluation: This component encompasses Third Party Monitoring as part of monitoring activities.

While Component 4 is concerned with the overall Project Management that is to be implemented by the Ministry of Environment. The Project Management Unit (PMU), to be formed by the Ministry of Environment, will be responsible for this Component.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following:

Summary of the PM’s Functional Responsibilities:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

2. Procedures

3. Monitoring and reporting

4. Compliance with World Bank Environment and Social Framework (ESF) including Stakeholder engagement

5. Quality assurance

6. Knowledge management and innovation

7. Personnel management

• Develop, maintain and update the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and relevant sub-plans such as Procurement Plan, Health Safety Social and Environmental- HSSE Plan, Gender Action Plan,the ESF and ESCP plan, etc, as per UNOPS Policies and Guidelines and in compliance with the Project’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) as well as the Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) and embed related sustainability dimensions throughout the Project activities and its life span.
• Participate actively in the formulation of the Project Operation Manual (POM) in coordination with the Project Management UNIT- PMU
• Implement the approved PIP (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Steering Committee (PSC)
• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective actions where necessary.
• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the PIP.
• Liaise with external suppliers, consultants and contractors
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly and in a timely manner
• Control project and work packages changes
• Supervise the receipt/verification/acceptance/rejection of goods, services or works delivered by suppliers/consultants/contractors
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation
• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to senior management/ PSC so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

• Comply with all organizational policies and guidelines, and specifically the UNOPS Project Management Manual
• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by relevant stakeholders.
• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement signed between the government and UNOPS, and the PIP
• Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; participate in evaluating proposals received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
• Ensure that the maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
• Ensure that the implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms are done in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
• 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 
• Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)
• Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he will retain these responsibilities, monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

• Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance to UNOPS and donor requirements and processes as per the Project Grant Agreement and Standard Output Agreement including ESF reporting requirements as per the ESCP;
• Regularly review project status and evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
•  Maintain logs and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

• Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies, in line with the ESCP, SEP, LMP and GM.
• Establish solid working relationships with the PSC,, client and key stakeholders
• Formulate  project communications plan, coordinate internal project communications. and monitor the effectiveness of project communications
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications.
• Ensure that stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with requirements related to HSSE, gender, audit etc
• Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective compliance of suppliers' quality systems with those of UNOPS
• Coordinate quality reviews/control of project outputs (documents, reports and deliverables, goods and works)

• Encourage and ensure that routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
• Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.
• Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner and participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
•  Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.
• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards
• continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

• Lead and motivate the project team
• Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
• Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards
• Ensure the project Labor Management Procedures (LMP) is adequately implemented among the project team
• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Impact of Results

Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.

This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) preferably in environmental engineering, environmental studies/science or a field related to waste management is required. 
• Bachelor's Degree preferably Civil, Industrial or Mechanical Engineering with an additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

• PRINCE2® Foundation is an asset;
•  PRINCE2® Practitioner an asset;
•  PMP Certification is an asset;

Work Experience 

• 2 years of project management experience  relevant to the assignment and proven track record in working on projects covering a broad range of environmental and social development issues, including solid waste management is required.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in municipal solid waste management projects is required.
• Knowledge about the pertinent Lebanese environmental legislations is required
• 2  years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, monitoring, reporting,  and coordination between public and private sector entities is desired.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in community mobilization/ community engagement is desired.
• Knowledge about the best international practices and technologies adopted, accredited and applied for Solid Waste Management/ Medical Waste Management projects is desired.
• Previous experience in the implementation of projects that required multi-stakeholder coordination is desired.
• Work Experience with an international organization and/or UN Agencies is highly desirable 

• Fluency in Arabic and English language is required

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures,  languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process.  If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.