Project Manager (ICT/Procurement)

South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)
The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops, and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across  North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines.  EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises eight business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi-Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight, and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the Multi-Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering, and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself. 

UNOPS in the Philippines
Established in 2016, UNOPS Philippines provides expert support to ensure sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure activities in projects. With funds from the European Union (EU), UNOPS supports the Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government under the Governance in Justice (GOJUST) Programme (GOJUST2) through procurement, logistics, and grants management to push forward the justice reform agenda of the Philippine government through innovations and interventions; as well as providing grants to civil society organizations to improve access to justice of marginalized groups. In the Support to the Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, UNOPS is working with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Government strengthening capacities of the executive, legislative and judicial branches to ensure a smooth transition, also with funds from the EU. In the health sector, UNOPS works with the DOH / ADB in the HEAL project (Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19).

UNOPS Philippines is in the process of expanding its area of engagement in cooperation with its development partners, focusing mainly on a portfolio of projects and programs in the infrastructure, logistics management, procurement in health, rule of law,  and governance sectors.

Project Information
The Philippines is recognized as one of the most dynamic economies in Asia, characterized by rapid urbanization, a growing middle-income class, and a large, young population. However, this growth is accompanied by significant challenges, particularly the country's high vulnerability to natural disasters. The Philippines ranks among the highest globally in terms of exposure to natural hazards, which poses substantial risks to economic growth and inclusivity. Metro Manila, the nation's capital and a densely populated hub with approximately 21 million residents in its greater area, is particularly vulnerable to seismic events due to its location along the West Valley Fault (WVF). A major earthquake, such as the anticipated 'Big One,' could result in catastrophic impacts including significant fatalities and economic losses, along with severe disruptions to government services and infrastructure.

In response to these risks, the President of the Philippines issued Executive Order No. 52 (EO 52) in 2018, establishing the Program Management Office for the Earthquake Resilience of the Greater Metro Manila Area (PMO-ERG). This initiative aims to strengthen the country's resilience to earthquakes and ensure public safety and government continuity. Complementing this, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been tasked with executing vulnerability assessments and fast-tracking interventions to enhance the resilience of public buildings and infrastructure.

The UNOPS project to support the Philippines Seismic Risk Reduction and Resilience Project (PSRRRP) aims to establish a new program that will design, procure, and assemble tailored Mobile Emergency Operations Centers (MOECs) and Mobile Command Posts (MCPs). These mobile units will be essential in supporting emergency communication and coordination across the Philippines, particularly in areas like Metro Manila where the risk of a major earthquake is significant. The program includes the configuration and installation of specialized IT and telecommunication equipment and the rollout of tailored training for operation, all aimed at enhancing the safety and resilience of populations affected by natural disasters.

An experienced Project Manager is required to oversee the day-to-day implementation of this program. The Project Manager will play a critical role in ensuring the successful delivery of project objectives by leading partner communications, managing stakeholder relationships, and ensuring the quality and timeliness of project activities.

In addition to overseeing the PSRRRP, the incumbent will also be responsible for overseeing other digitization projects in the Philippines as assigned by the country manager. 

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

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

The 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). The success of the project(s) and hence of the Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

The project manager for Implementation projects will be managing project(s) which ultimate goal is to provide implementation services that contribute to the achievement of partners’ goals. The variety of projects is quite diverse and can range from management of grants, development of strategies to delivery of training or providing technical assistance. 

While the complexity of those projects may vary, maintaining high standards in terms of quality, health, safety and sustainability is always expected.

Depending on the nature and configuration of the project, the project manager might be executing technical studies, reviews, designs, supervision or operation and maintenance services of one or several physical infrastructure assets, in one or multiple sites. Depending on the implementation modality it may involve large volumes of procurement of goods, services and HR services.

UNOPS operates in complex contexts where resources might be scarce, local capacity low and where professional judgement and experience in these environments are of uttermost importance.

• Advanced University (Master’s) Degree in a relevant discipline (International Relations, Development Studies, Finance, Economics, Human Resources, Supply Chain, Business, Project Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, etc.).
• A combination of Bachelor’s Degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset.
• Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective and oneUNOPS Projects trainings within (3) months from joining UNOPS.

• A minimum of five (5) years' experience on implementing complex projects/programmes is required.
• Experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is an asset.
• Experience in writing reports, performing data analysis, and writing technical documents is an asset.
• Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is an asset.
• Experience in risk management is an asset.
• Experience working in multicultural teams is an asset.
• Experience in managing teams is an asset.
• Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to manage tasks associated with the development of projects.
• Strong Problem Solving Skills are desirable.

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

• The project is under negotiation and a contract will be issued to the successful candidate only after the project is signed.
• If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.

• 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.