Senior Project Manager Linear Infrastructure

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, mandated as a central resource to support the successful implementation of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects worldwide. UNOPS has articulated three contribution goals that govern and guide its contribution to partners' operational results and their achievement of development results, integrating and balancing social, environmental and economic dimensions: (i) sustainable project management; (ii) sustainable infrastructure; and (iii) sustainable procurement.

With a global presence of over 6,000 personnel in 80 countries, UNOPS offers partners logistical, technical, and management expertise tailored to their needs. Currently implementing around 1,000 projects concurrently, UNOPS significantly contributes to on-the-ground results, even in challenging environments.

UNOPS currently manages, implements and advises on various transport infrastructure projects in the region, including roads, highways and bridges projects in several Latin American countries.

UNOPS is committed to promoting Fair and Equitable Public Management (GPJE) to ensure the effective and efficient use of public resources. This commitment involves driving excellence in public service, enhancing citizen participation, and integrating perspectives of equality and inclusion. The goal is to invest public resources in the most sustainable and beneficial way for the population, fostering integrity, transparency, and accountability. Within its mandate, UNOPS collaborates closely with partners to leverage the unique opportunities provided by public procurement. Recognizing public spending as a catalyst for change and development, UNOPS actively promotes GPJE by creating transparent, sustainable, and resilient procurement models. These models strengthen supply chains, consolidate institutions, and contribute to achieving sustainable and inclusive development.

Furthermore, UNOPS emphasizes creating new professional opportunities for  women, youth, people with disabilities, and ethnic minorities. This approach strengthens and fosters inclusive economic growth. 

Local Context

Since 1997, UNOPS began its operations in Guatemala in order to support the efforts prior to the signing of the peace agreement and later, following that initiative, it provided support to the Commission for Historical Clarification. Likewise, it has participated in boosting the local economy, through the implementation of productive projects; and since 2000, it has focused on providing assistance to the Government of Guatemala, offering advisory services, project implementation and transactional services. 

In 2024, Guatemala is facing a government transition, with the new government plan focusing on social development and improvements in living conditions through public services with a rights-based approach. Guatemala, as a family duty-station, offers a unique fusion of professional opportunities, access to health and educational facilities, cultural immersion, and a high quality of life, making it an appealing choice for seasoned professionals looking to make relevant contributions in a dynamic and inspiring place.

The overarching goal of the project is to contribute to the Guatemalan government to transform Guatemala's road and transport infrastructure into a sustainable, efficient network aligned with the nation's developmental objectives and support the actions aimed at achieving Sustainable Development Goal 9 “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”.

In order to support the Guatemalan government in implementing initiatives related to linear infrastructure, over a 4-year period, UNOPS will provide support in the implementation, execution, and management of contracts for the planning, design, supervision, construction and maintenance of public infrastructure.

Key challenges include among others, achieving progress in developing new infrastructure, in the availability of government-owned land for greenfield projects registered in the state's name, and limited capacity for executing large-scale road infrastructure projects impacting the timely and efficient development. 

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
   
   

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s) Implement the approved plan (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 span. 

• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.

• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

• Advanced University Degree (equivalent to a Master or PhD Degree) preferably in Civil Engineering, Road Engineering, Transportation, Roads or another relevant discipline related to the nature of the project.
• The master's degree may be replaced by professional studies in the mentioned areas preferably (equivalent to a "Bachelor's degree") and two additional years of relevant experience.

• Fluency in Spanish and English is required

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement -ICA  

• 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.