Project Manager

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

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS is conducting about $5 million pharmaceutical procurement to strengthen the  Sri Lanka health system and support the people in need. 

Project Information

The Procurement and Technical Support for TVET Career Platform Project in Sri Lanka will reduce unemployment of youth, by creating a Career Platform, with quality career development and guidance services. There are three key outputs that the project needs to deliver: 

Output 1 : TVET Career Platform is developed and operational

Output 2 : Service Providers’ capacities in TVET Career Platform are strengthened 

Output 3 : TVET Career Platform is widely disseminated and utilised among employers and prospect employees.

The project is implemented in the capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, with a budget of USD 1.1 million and with the funding of KOICA. The Project Manager will be supervising technical personnel, an IT officer and a MEP engineer.

Project Manager  is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the donor, partners and beneficiaries. 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 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.

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

Project Manager  is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having 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 Project Manager  will be based on the defined Success Criteria.

1. Project Delivery and Performance 

• 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.

• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers

• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages

• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly

• Control project and work packages changes

• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.

• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved

• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

• Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline along with Bachelor degree in Civil Engineering from a recognized University.

• University Degree (bachelor’s degree) in Civil Engineering with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Construction Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, /Development Studies, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the Masters degree.

• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.  

• A minimum of five  years progressive experience in Implementing and managing infrastructure projects; or project management and contract management experience is required.

• Working knowledge of project management software tools and applications is an asset.

• Past experience involved in procurement of goods/services/ works is a distinct advantage.

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

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

• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

• This position is open for Sri Lankan Nationals only.

• 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.