Project Manager Support to MINUSMA

Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

One of the main objectives of the Peace and Security Cluster is to rapidly deploy project personnel to the field. To accomplish this, it has established a Pool of Experts, from which it deploys and re-deploys personnel in order to fulfil personnel vacancies.  A Pool of Experts is a roster of specialists whose technical knowledge and personal suitability has been evaluated and approved in advance, allowing them to be deployed on short notice and in short order.   Pool members can be deployed on any of UNOPS contract modalities: FTA, TA, or I-ICA (International Individual Contractor Agreement). 

Mali is facing a problem of weapons and explosive hazard contamination, as a result of protracted and recent armed conflicts. The presence of explosive remnants of war (ERW), improvised explosive devices (IED) and insecure stockpiles of weapons and ammunition (obsolete, abandoned or neglected), poses a serious threat to civilians as well as to United Nations and humanitarian personnel operating in the country.

UNMAS deployed to Mali in January 2013 to conduct an emergency assessment of the situation with regard to explosive threats. In July 2013, the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was established under Security Council resolution 2100 and is currently operating under Security Council resolution 2423 (2018). In accordance with these mandates, the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) has engaged UNOPS PSC to implement a mine action programme in Mali to:

• Improve the protection of civilians and facilitate humanitarian assistance;
• Enhance national capacity to mitigate explosive threats and enable compliance with international treaty obligations; 
• Reduce the explosive threat to MINUSMA and United Nations personnel.

In line with applicable UN policies and Security Council Mandates, the Project Manager for Support to MINUSMA is responsible for the establishment and development of prevention and mitigation procedures for the management of the explosive threat, including IEDs, to UN personnel, premises and assets.

The Project Manager for Support to MINUSMA will act as the focal point between UNMAS, MINUSMA, and other key stakeholders under the guidance and direction of the UNMAS Senior Programme Manager.

S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the 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 client 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 Senior Programme Manager and the project(s)

Delivery and Performance:

• Under the direction of the Senior Programme Manager, manage personnel and coordinate activities to mitigate the explosive threat to UN personnel, premises and assets within an allotted budget in order to enable the delivery of the mission mandate and reduce casualties in peacekeeping;
• Develop and maintain project plans
• Contribute to the development of the Programme strategy and workplans;
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.
• Actively interact with other project managers and the project management community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Liaise with appropriate authorities, peacekeeping missions, UN agencies and Programme stakeholders to facilitate the elaboration of project strategies including risk and issue management;
• Advise the Programme Manager of changes or deviations from plans, including through the identification and management of risks and issues, ensuring maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders;
• Ensure timely planning and implementation of the activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed project timeframe and the agreed funding budget;
• Monitor and report, at the strategic and technical level, on the delivery of UNMAS IED Threat Mitigation support to MINUSMA in line with budgeted deliverables;
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;

Additional requirements:

• Any other relevant duties or tasks as identified by the Senior Programme Manager

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions)
• Prepare the following reports:

• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flows, and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.

• In close coordination with the Programme Management Team, the Chief of Operations and Head of Support Services, contribute to the elaboration of the Programme Budget;
• Participate in the preparation of various hiring and procurement processes including the development of scope of works, budgets, terms of reference, contracts and all technical requirements for the procurement contracts related to the project;
• 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)

Knowledge Management:

• Maintain a high level of knowledge on International Mine Action Standards, National Technical Standards and Guidelines, UN Standards, applicable Standard Operating Procedures, best practices and other relevant norms applicable to explosive threat mitigation;
• Study and provide analysis on the explosive threat, draw conclusions, and develop innovative solutions to the threat posed by explosives;
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice;
• Actively interact with other project managers and the project management 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 behavioural expectations of team members are established;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff);
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

Core Values and Principles:

Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

• Master Degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with seven (7) years of relevant experience; or

• Bachelor Degree or equivalent in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with nine (9) years of relevant experience; or

• Military Experience at the Officer level with a minimum of 13 years of relevant experience.

B. Work Experience      

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project development and management, or experience supporting operations in military, humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development contexts with public or private sector organizations;
• Two (2) years of experience in managing a team is required;
• Two (2) years of demonstrated experience working directly within the thematic areas of explosive threat mitigation or Mine Action activities is required;
• Experience in project monitoring and reporting is desired;
• Field experience is desired.

C. Languages

English and French are the working languages of the Programme in Mali. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; basic level of French is desired.

• 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.  

**Candidates with no UN experience are strongly encouraged to apply!


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.