Project Manager

In response to the request of the Government of Ukraine, UNOPS opened an office in Ukraine in 2017, which provides a broad spectrum of services to the Government and the people of Ukraine. Currently, the office is classified as an Operations Centre (UAOC), with a portfolio of projects exceeding USD 100 million, in the areas of rule of law, environment, energy efficiency, crisis recovery, good governance, human resources management, procurement, and logistics. 

Result 1. Capacities of law enforcement stakeholders are enhanced through an effective and efficient human resource management system (including training, recruitment, career management, integrity management, adequate business processes and appropriate institutional structures).

Result 2. Ukraine's police force is a modern and professional organisation which takes a community-oriented policing approach and adequately maintains public order in full observance of human rights protection.

Result 3. Increased public safety and improved fight against serious crime, including cybercrime, following enhanced cooperation between the institutions in charge of investigating and prosecuting crime, and the introduction of modern investigative techniques, including IT solutions.

Result 4: Professional sector management allows for comprehensive sector policy dialogue, effective policy making, mid-term budgetary planning and continuous policy monitoring.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the Programme and or the Programme Manager, the Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Project and provides services to the donors, partners, and beneficiaries. He/she is expected to contribute strongly to the Programme’s overall performance and fulfillment of Project objectives.

The Project Manager needs to have a thorough understanding of the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the Project(s) products are capable of meeting the business case for both the client and UNOPS. The success of the Project and hence the Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.

The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with guidance and directions from the supervisor, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish a solid working relationship with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users, and Senior Suppliers), donor, national beneficiaries, and other 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 client on issues that may impact the achievement of outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post-project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the Project

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Ensure implementation of approved project plans within tolerances set by the Project Board
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the 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
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Programme Manager, the Head of the Programme, and the Project Board 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 the performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential opportunities for new projects for UNOPS to the supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to the supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the UNOPS project management instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives, Administrative Instructions, and Project Management Manual )
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board: I. Project Plan II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

                                i.            Highlight Reports

                               ii.            End Stage Reports

                             iii.            Operational Closure Checklist

                             iv.            End Project Report

                               v.            Handover Report

• 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 complies 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
• 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 Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with the Project Management Office, 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
• Ensure that the behavioral expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the Head of the Programme and Operations Centre Director 
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities
• 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

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• The Project produces the required products in line with the Plans accepted by the donor and the Project Board.
• The donor and key beneficiaries generally positively assess Project’s work. At least 75% of the project requests, including reports, plans, and suggestions for sub-projects/activities, are approved by the donor and the Project Board without or with limited modifications.
• Quarterly Assurance (QA) confirms that the Project performance was in accordance with UNOPS success criteria and that any recommendations related to performance are implemented 
• Risk and issues at the Programme level are identified and communicated in line with the set tolerances. Risk responses are implemented.
• Reports from meetings produced within two working days

General: 

Ensure that the project(s) produce(s) the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case(s).  Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

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

• Minimum seven (7) years with Master's degree or 9 years with bachelor's degree of progressive experience in project development and management, with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development, and coordination is required 
• Direct experience in dealing with the ministries and donors is an asset
• Direct experience with the rule of law sector is an asset
• Direct experience of developing and implementing EU funded projects is an asset

• PRINCE2® Foundation (required)
• PRINCE2® Practitioner an asset, but required completion within first 6 months of on boarding

• 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
• 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.

1. Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level: International Specialist Level 3
3. Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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.