Senior Project Manager

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Background on South East Asia and the 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 nine business units: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia,  EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.

In 2024, 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 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.

EAPMCO Papua New Guinea

Ongoing Projects

Renewable Energy Projects funded by the Australian government (DFAT) and Implemented by UNOPS. The project’s main objectives are to develop practical and sustainable solutions to the provision of energy access in Telefomin, Daru, Buka,  Baiyer and Milne Bay. The aim is to provide a framework for an optimal set of technologies for the local mini-grid using solar PV / hydropower hybrid systems.

New Projects

UNOPS PNG office has a number of new projects that are currently being established across the country. These projects have the potential to significantly develop UNOPS profile in key service lines of renewable energy, health infrastructure and sustainable procurement, climate change resilient infrastructure and community development infrastructure projects in PNG. 

Business Development

UNOPS PNG office is developing its strategy and a business development plan, aimed at expanding its role in implementation processes in the infrastructure sectors in light of the significant capacity gaps in the government agencies and limited ability for funders to support detailed implementation processes, including procurement, project implementation, designing and program implementation. UNOPS seeks to provide value-adding implementation services in the  various infrastructure sectors, predominantly in the energy sector, but also in other infrastructure sectors such as transport, water supply and sanitation.

Background information - Job specific:

The UNOPS PNG Country Office is responsible for supporting the implementation of UNOPS projects in the country. The office works closely with national counterparts and partners to deliver infrastructure, procurement, and project management services.

The Senior Project Manager will provide coordination, assistance and technical expertise in terms of design adjustments, construction, supervision and coordination in the field, ensuring high quality and consistency of work.

In the project team, the Senior Project Manager may supervise a diverse results-oriented technical team, including contracts, construction, and logistics managers, field Engineers, health, safety, security and environmental specialists, and project management specialists. He/she could also provide guidance to other team members ensuring knowledge transfer for capacity building. The Senior Project Manager will perform his/her duties in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

Local Context: 

The Senior Project Manager reports to the Country Manager, who provides broad supervision and guidance. The role is responsible for ensuring that UNOPS portfolio of infrastructure projects deliver on their outputs and outcomes, that the projects are fully resourced and implemented with due diligence with respect to UNOPS guidelines and Funders agreements, and that the stakeholders, including the funders are kept regularly and fully informed and engaged in project implementation progress. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for programmatic advice, planning and resource use, day to day activities, performance management, and evaluation against goals.

Summary of functions:

1. Technical Advisory

2. Program Management

3. Implementation, Oversight and Reporting

4. Stakeholder Relationship Management

5. Knowledge Management and Innovation

6. Personnel Management

• Supports the development of business opportunities in the infrastructure sectors, providing technical advice for concept development, identifying, with the PNG Office and Business Development teams, existing challenges and appropriate solutions in consultation with the Country Manager
• Participates in the design and review of infrastructure projects and engages with infrastructure Project Management Group (IPMG) with regards to response on technical matters
• Prepares design briefs and design reports that address specific clients and stakeholder  requirements and specifications as and when necessary.

• Provides technical and tactical advice to ensure efficient and effective project management in accordance with the funding agreements and UNOPS guidelines and continuously seeks to improve portfolio performance and attainment of project goals. 

• Leads work planning under the infrastructure portfolio and reporting and ensuring high quality, accurate and timely communications, lifting UNOPS profile in infrastructure program management. 

• Coordinates the day-to-day operations, assigning resources to projects ensuring their effective and efficient implementation in accordance with the funders agreements and UNOPS guidelines. 

• Liaises with the relevant counterparts, government stakeholders and working group focal points on all project related matters, specifically pertaining to enhancing the project implementation efficiency and effectiveness.  

• Assist in the oversight of the implementation of works for the specific projects and monitoring of progress of renewable energy related works according to contract schedules, specifications and project plans, ensuring strict implementation of quality control standards and procedures on the sites and report regularly to the supervisor.

• Maintains a close eye on the operational and financial performance, identifies issues that may need attention, supports in problem analysis and solution identification as necessary, coordinates resolution as per action-items assigned, drafting required correspondences to stakeholders concerned and preparation of mission reports.

• Ensures preparation and maintenance of project files, including internal and external project (operational and highlights) reports. 

• Manages information flows and oversees change controls, monitors risks, ensuring accurate risk registers and issue management by establishing document control procedures.

• Manages assigned delivery of work packages and takes responsibility for progress.

• Coordinates and liaises with the Country Manager  on the implementation progress, advising on any deviations from the plan and update plans.

• Coordinates reporting on financial and technical progress, ensuring transparency and compliance with the UNOPS and Funders reporting requirements and resource utilization guidelines. 

• Supports implementation of approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) under the guidance of the Country Manager (the Project Executive).

• Supervise, monitor and evaluate performance of service providers delivering to project priorities.

• Assists in the implementation of Environmental and Health & Safety measures in the project sites.

• Assists in the identification, evaluation, selection and supervision of building contractors for specified project work.

• Attends daily the project site(s) to monitor progress of works, identifying the existing problems and appropriate solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the project teams.

• Interacts with project managers, lead engineers and other team members on monitoring contractors’ and suppliers performance, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensuring that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with specified scope of work, time frame, and budget.

• Supports and assists the Country Manager in establishing productive working relationships with the funders, Government of Papua New Guinea and relevant UN, development partners and other key stakeholders.

• Maintains effective relationships with contributors to UNOPS infrastructure program and projects, building and deepening relationships across the various stakeholders, including funders.

• Closely coordinates with the different donors for the infrastructure projects particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. 

• Manages internal and external stakeholders with effectiveness and efficiency.  

• Understands the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and seeks to contribute to the project goals.

• Supports the compilation of lessons learned as per defined reporting formats.

• Ensures that local capacities are built at every level, particularly for Project Management Support.

• Contributes to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned. Contribute to expertise in tools and techniques

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in  Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering or related field is required.

• A first university degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.

• Professional engineering certification is an asset.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience managing projects in the renewable energy sector or related field is required.

• A proven track record and experience in designing and supervising solar energy projects is an asset.

• Experience and demonstrated skills in generating and compiling high quality technical reports is desired.

• A proven track record  and experience in designing and supervising other renewable energy projects ( hydropower) is desired.

• Experience in other renewable energy projects ( hydro, wind, geothermal) is an asset.

• Experience in the use of Google Suite applications as well as experience in handling web-based management systems is desirable.

• Relevant experience working in developing/post-conflict countries is an asset.

• 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.