Deputy Project Manager

Stakeholder Management

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders and UNOPS Nepal Support Units (Finance, Procurement, Human Resources);
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products;
• Advise the PM on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance);
• Proactively coordinate and liaise with project field offices on administrative management issues if any;
• Manage the information flows between the PM/Project Board/OC Director and the projects;
• Represent the PM in stakeholder coordination and meetings as requested;

Delivery and Performance

• Support the PM to develop and maintain project plans;
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board;
• Establish and maintain Management by Exception protocols, establishing tolerances, controls and risk management procedures;
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle;
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Ensure accurate data entry into UNOPS ERP;
• Liaise with any partners, external suppliers and donors as directed;
• Authorize Work Packages and take responsibility for progress;
• Advise the PM, Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan;
• Identify and manage risks, escalating to the PM so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers and project partners;
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to PM;
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to PM;

Procedures

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions);
• Support the PM to prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:  I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions;
• Support the PM to prepare the following reports:

                      i.        Highlight Reports;

                    ii.        End Stage Reports;

                   iii.        Operational Closure Checklist;

                   iv.        End Project Report;

                    v.        Handover Report;

• Support the PM to maintain the following: i. Electronic Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12;
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR);
• Support the PM to manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time;
• Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project;
• Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel;
• Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports);
• Where the Deputy Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements;

Knowledge Management

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice;
• Actively interact with other DPM’s, PM’s and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies;
• Support the PM to complete lessons learned as per reporting format;
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format;

Personnel Management: 

• Support and motivate the project management team;
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established and followed;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the PM and OC Director;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff);
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s);
• Support Project Support roles, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards;

Education

• Advanced University Degree/Master’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Logistics, Emergency or Project Management, International Relations Project, Management or other relevant discipline;
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree;            
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
                                      

Work Experience

• 5 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations is required;
• 2 years’ experience in project management or project administration is required;
• 2 years' professional experience each in stakeholder management, reporting, monitoring and coordination is required;
• Experience in humanitarian emergency operating contexts, including humanitarian coordination mechanisms, donors, security and operations management is desirable;
• Experience and demonstrated knowledge of UN rules and procedures in Infrastructure, Procurement, Finance, HR Management and administrative rules and regulations will be an advantage;
• Strong skills and experience in HR, Procurement and finance systems is desirable;
• Knowledge of UN core values, rules and regulations an asset is an advantage;
• Ability to plan and organize tasks effectively;
• Excellent coordination skills is desirable
• Knowledge of Nepal context an advantage.
• Computer literate (MS Excel and Word)  and ability to operate Enterprise Resource Planning Systems is preferred;

• PRINCE2 Foundation/Practitioner Certification – Preferred
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.