Project Manager-CVR 5 Locations Project and Bangui, Multiple positions

The Central African Republic (CAR) is a fragile country with a history of recurrent conflict, the most recent of which took place in 2013 between multiple armed groups. The violence that followed the 2013 crisis greatly damaged public assets and infrastructure, disrupted service delivery, and further weakened the social fabric, and exacerbated people’s poverty and vulnerability to shocks. As a result, roughly one-quarter of the population was internally displaced or had to flee as refugees to neighboring countries.

The UN MISSION (MINUSCA) through its Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reinsertion (DDR) program has requested UNOPS services for the registration of ex-combatants, food distribution and the distribution of non-food items to ex-combatant beneficiaries in several locations in CAR. Other pre-DDR services requested include support to community violence reduction (CVR) programs. These programs will support beneficiaries through the provision of formal and non-formal trainings and Income Generating Activities.

The project’s implementation is specific for Bangui and the above mentioned activities will be directed to beneficiaries coming from the communities in the capital, Bangui. The Project Manager will therefore mainly operate in Bangui and in five localities where the project will be implemented.

The PM on DDR projects will report directly to Head of Office based in CAR and to Head of Programme based in Kinshasa (as a secondary supervisor).

Support of DDR/CVR activities in 5 locations and Bangui

• Which includes the development of CVR project documents in phases, working closely with DDR chief, his team and the UNOPS Kinshasa-based Partnership & Technical Advisory team.
• Support any new DDR initiatives
• Set up of “CVR Operations mobiles sites” to undertake registration and information on ex-combatants
• Support the selection of trainers and coachers for each chosen income Generating Activities
• Ensure the provision of start-up kits for IGAs to the different locations
• Set up of operational advances dedicated to the payment of trainers, coachers, daily workers, small equipment, local services, sensitization activities, agricultural and breeders start-up kits.
• Support the monitoring of the different trainings (quality control of trainings and attendance of beneficiaries) and the implementation of the chosen IGAs (control and if necessary provide advises to beneficiaries in the management of their IGAs).
• He/She is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria.
• The PM will be in contact with DDR section as well for the supervision of the projects managed by UNOPS on their behalf.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish a Project Board and solid working relationship with the Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers, client and key stakeholders;
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products;
• Advise the Partners on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance);
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board, OH Director and the project.
• Contract management: supervision of UNOPS’s subcontractor for the provision of services.
• Assure that services are delivered with quality (according to MINUSCA DDR and UNOPS ‘s standards) and on time.
• Link with MINUSCA DDR section in duty station in order to explore for new projects and possibilities of cooperation for UNOPS.
• Detect new opportunities with MINUSCA DDR section and other donors for such activities and inform and coordinate with CDOH Partnership Unit for new proposals.
• Link with MINUSCA DDR and be UNOPS focal point for MINUSCA DDR in Bangui.

Delivery and Performance:

• Detect further new business possibilities for UNOPS with MINUSCA DDR and other relevant partners and liaise with UNOPS CDOH Partnership Unit in Kinshasa.
• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (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 cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks 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
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Execution:

• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board;
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers;
• Authorize Work Packages;
• Advise the Project Board and HoO of any deviations from the plan;
• Identify and manage risks 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;
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor and promotes information sharing with other CVR actors in the sector
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor.

Procedures:

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

• Highlight Reports for the client and CDOH management; 
• Weekly reports for HoO in CAR, Head of Programme and CDOH Director in Kinshasa;
• End Stage Reports
• Operational Closure Checklist
• End Project Report
• Financial progress report/final financial report (in cooperation with UNOPS CIOH/ UNOPS HQ and project team)
  • Operational Closure Checklist
  • End Project Report
  • Handover Report

 Reporting:

• 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);
• 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 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 UNOPS Communities of Practice;
• Actively interact with other PMs 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;
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format; Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team (international and national personnel);
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the 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);
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.
• Perform regular field visits to UNOPS teams

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

                      I.        Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

                    II.        Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

                   III.        Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

                      i.        Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

                    ii.        Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

                   iii.        Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

                      i.        Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

                      i.        The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue with a supervisor

• Excellence

• Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline is required.

• First level University Degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline
  in combination with 2 additional years of relevant professional experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.

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

• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred

• At least Five years of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations, or in related areas is required.
• At least two years of DDR experience is considered a strong advantage
• Experience working in emergency, post-crisis environment and/or with UN missions is a strong asset.
• Proven experience in financial management is required

• Fluency written and oral in French is required
• Intermediate English is required

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level : I-ICA 2
3. Contract duration : Open-ended, subject to Organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.