Deputy Project Manager

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency.  At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Project Information

In this project, UNOPS will act as a “verifying agency” with the aim to scrutinize, verify and resolve the pending claims between the relevant De-facto Authority (DFA) employing ministry or agency and contractors, consultants and suppliers, both international and local, for the works and services completed before 15 August 2021 under the relevant externally financed projects in the country. The assignment includes the verification of different types of contracts including civil works, supply of goods and services by consultancy firms and individual consultants, mainly in the infrastructure sectors across the country.  The verification work will also include verification of certain other project costs incurred before 15 August 2021.

UNOPS will provide the proposed project financier with a comprehensive overview of the state of potential unresolved project-related claims, clarify the amount of pending payments with credible supporting documents, and make recommendations for the amounts to be paid to each contractor, consultant, supplier, or project-affected person.

Key project stakeholders are the financier of the proposed project, working-level staff of Afghanistan De-facto Authority ministries, contractors, consultants, and suppliers (both international and local).

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the senior project manager, the deputy project manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project, as well as liaising and communicating with the funding partner, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries. In consultation with the senior project manager, the deputy project manager will also liaise with local and national authorities, including de facto authorities, in line with United Nations guidelines. The project team has expertise in different areas: program and contract management, financial management, legal, engineering, reporting,,, safeguards, field monitoring, data management, and infrastructure.

The Project seeks to recruit a qualified Afghan national for the post of Deputy Project Manager (DPM), which will be based in Kabul and report to the Senior Project Manager. The DPM will supervise a few project team members and will be based inside the UNOCA Compound, with frequent visits to project work sites located in different parts of the country. 

Summary of Key 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

1. Project Delivery and Performance

Under the direct supervision, guidance and direction of the Senior Project Manager (SPM), the DPM shall:

1. Develop, complete and update implementation of Project plan(s)  and quarterly plans

2. Implement the approved plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Senior Management/Project Board; 

3. Embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project life span; 

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

5. Ensure that the quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Project Plan;

6. Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers;

7. Advise the Senior Project Manager of any possible deviations from the plan and possible corrective actions;

8. Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages;

9. Manage the invoicing and progress verification of works, payment certification, procurement, and dealing with government authorities and other stakeholders. 

10. Monitor project progress, ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.

11. Control project and work package changes;

12. Accept works, goods or services delivered by suppliers;

13. Lead contract management duties, including supplier performance evaluations;

14. Support the development and implementation of systems for internal control that ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions in collaboration with the procurement team.

15. Identify and anticipate potential risks and issues in a timely manner and advise on mitigating measures for the senior management/project board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

16. Identify and report to the supervisor potential new business opportunities for UNOPS.

1. Procedures:

1. Comply with all organizational policies and specifically the Project Management Manual;

2. Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by Senior Management/Project Board;

3. Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and Project  Plan;

4. Draft the requirements for procurement processes. Support evaluating submissions received if appointed to the evaluation team;

5. Effective implementation of corporate directives, guidelines and strategies, and establishment of relevant management targets, as well as monitoring of achievements and results.

6. Responsible for day-to-day coordination with the contractors and suppliers according to the needs and requirements on site;

7. Provide support and guidance to the contractor and assist in resolving site problems, as necessary;

8. Ensure maintenance of the project files, risk management and lessons learned are recorded;

9. Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations;

10. Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time;

11. Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project;

12. Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel;

13. Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports);

14. For project closure purposes, support the formal handover of the project to the engagement closure manager;

15. Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow-up on audit observations/recommendations;

16. Conduct and supervise Health & Safety, Social & Environmental (HSSE) issues and concerns, including the application of UNOPS standards for HSSE;

17. Performs HSSE management and inspections and maintains the required records;

18. Perform other duties as may be assigned by the SPM.

1. Monitoring and reporting:

   1. Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS legal agreement requirements for reporting;

   2. Check contractors’ and suppliers' set out and works, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensure that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with a specified scope of work, time frame, and budget;

   3. Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality)

   4. Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures;

   5. Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the one UNOPS Project (OuP - internal system) dashboard system;

   6. Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span.

   7. Review and endorse any design changes that are processed by other parties and recommend them to SPM for implementation. 

   8. Provide technical advice and assistance to contractors to ensure that economical and quality materials are purchased.

1. Any situation that may require decision-making, which will involve variation and or additional cost, shall be brought to the notice of SPM with details of issues encountered at the site and appropriate recommendations; 

1. Stakeholder engagement:

   1. Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies;

   2. Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders;

   3. Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications;

   4. Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

1. Quality assurance: 

   1. Work with internal stakeholders to ensure the projects comply with audit requirements;

   2. Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems;

   3. Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables;

   4. Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, plans, reports, etc.).

1. Partnerships and Coordination:

   1. Encourage routine and effective capacity-building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff;

   2. Actively interact with other Project Teams (PT) and the wider PT community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices; 

   3. Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice;

   4. Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span;

   5. Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

1. Monitoring and Progress Controls

   1. Lead and motivate the project management team;

   2. Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established; 

   3. Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely;

   4. Select, recruit and train team as required and take into account gender parity, diversity and inclusion objectives;

   5. Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards;

   6. 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.

a.  Education

• Master’s Degree in economics, project management, engineering, international relations or a similar field is Mandatory.

• A bachelor’s degree in economics, project management, engineering, international relations, or a similar field with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the requirement for an advanced university degree.

• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification. Asset.

b. Work Experience 

• Minimum 5 years (or less, depending on academic credentials) of relevant, progressive experience in managing infrastructure projects in either public or private sector organizations; mandatory

• Proven experience of project implementation in close collaboration with government authorities preferred; 

• Previous work experience with the UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies is preferred; 

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is an advantage.

c.  Languages

• Fluency in oral and written Dari, Pashto, and English 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.