Project Management Support - Specialist (Infrastructure)

Job categories Engineering, Project Management

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5512/29237

Department/office AR, EAPMCO, Philippines

Duty station Manila (Family Duty Station), Philippines

Contract type Local ICA Specialist

Contract level LICA Specialist-10

Duration Four (4) Months

Application period 15-Nov-2024 to 28-Nov-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Job-specific

Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

UNOPS 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 nine EAPMCOs: 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 76 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 entire 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 Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) for the construction of health facilities in Eastern Samar, and 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.

Role Specific

Under the direct supervision of the Lead Construction Management Engineer (Team Lead) and secondary reporting line to the Senior Project Manager, the incumbent will provide a strong contribution to the overall success of the project. S/he will play an important role in supporting the Project’s Infrastructure Team Lead with the implementation of project activities through the provision of technical expertise and the application of best practices in the infrastructure project implementation.The incumbent coordinates the team of project engineers & HSSE officers and oversees the construction supervision work in line with UNOPS technical standards.

The Project management Support - Specialist (infrastructure) will contribute to the effective delivery and implementation of strategic and effective infrastructure technical assistance and support services in line with the signed Project Agreement.

The Project Management Support - Specialist (infrastructure) is also responsible to ensure high quality and consistency of work by promoting a collaborative, client’s focused, quality and results oriented approach in the team.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The purpose of this position is to provide project management, technical expertise and coordination support to the implement and deliver required activities during the period of the project in line with the project goals. The Project Management Support - Specialist (infrastructure) supports to ensure smooth running of the project, builds an effective team, promotes teamwork and an environment that is conducive to delivering results.

At the request or in the absence of the Senior Project Manager leads the project’s infrastructure team focusing on effective monitoring and consistent delivery of project activities on ground.

Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions: Project Deli...

Summary of functions:

Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel management

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

Facilitate the development and updates of implementation schedules and plan(s).
Coordinate the implementation of the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Infrastructure Team Lead Manager.
Promote embedding sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span where possible.
Coordinate with relevant departments to deliver the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
Ensure that quality of services complies with the quality requirements defined in the approved Quality Management Plan and Implementation Plan.
Liaise with any external stakeholders in line with the approved communication plan.
Coordinate acceptance and delivery of services in line with signed vendor contracts.
Monitor project progress ensuring that services provided by UNOPS are being executed properly.
Facilitate acceptance of goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
On behalf of UNOPS, take responsibility for contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to the Infrastructure Team Lead and Snr Project Manager so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS.

2. Procedures

Facilitate compliance with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual.
Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Infrastructure Team Lead and Snr Project Manager.
Coordinate the management and administration of Project Legal Agreement(s) in reference to the specific technical requirements and structure of the projectEnsure all reporting obligations for Infrastructure related work packages defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Project Implementation Plan are fulfilled.
Coordinate with the relevant stakeholders on the timely submission of requirements definitions for procurement processes. Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
Coordinate maintenance of the project files and lessons learned for the relevant work packages are recorded.
Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/ recommendations.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

Prepare and issue regular project work package reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
Develop and maintain performance monitoring tools to track progress of UNOPS work packages and allow early escalation where identified
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
Maintain diaries 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.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

Develop stakeholder profiles and adopt effective stakeholder engagement strategies.
Establish solid working relationships with the key stakeholders.
Coordinate communication between the UNOPS Project team and the Client’s team and ensure timely dissemination of needs, risks and issues.
Monitor the effectiveness of communications and adjust strategies as needed.
Support the Partner in external 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.

5. Quality Assurance

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure the project complies with audit requirements
Work with the project team to update and implement the Quality Management Plan.
Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables
Provide quality control for management products: Project Agreements, Budgets, plans, documents, reports, etc.).

6. Knowledge management and innovation

Actively interact with key stakeholders , and share lessons learned and best practices.
Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
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.
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.

7. Personnel Management

Lead and motivate the team assigned to support the project.
Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established.
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely.
Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.
Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.
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.
Promote accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

EDUCATION: Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Civil Eng...

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local ICA Support Contract level: LICA 10 / ICS 10 Contract...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

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.

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TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.