Project Manager- Gaza Energy Sector

Under the overall guidance of the Jerusalem Operations Center Director, and under direct supervision of the Head of Programme, the Project Manager is responsible to produce/read the project initiation documents (PID), Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client. Success of the project(s) and hence Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.

The Project Manager will be expected to follow the project lifecycle from inception to completion using standard project lifecycle practices and artefacts. They will be provided with guidance and support by the PMO to ensure key project components and artefacts are in place. The Project Manager will often find him/herself delivering work-streams within a project. A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for one or more UNOPS Level 1 project(s).

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

Technical tasks:

• Study and prepare the scope of works, contracts and all technical requirements of the engineering design in all its phases,
• Study and prepare the scope of works, contracts, budgets, time schedules and all other technical requirements for construction phases,
• Review project designs in terms of accuracy, suitability to overall design requirements, including identifying improvements in the designs and be able to propose practical solutions and alternatives,
• Review, guide and approve shop drawings presented by contractors during implementation phases. Also, present a methodology to control the scope and reflect the impact of any changes on the project objectives,
• Analyse all project documents, specifications and drawings utilizing research, development, relevant codes and standards as well as good engineering practices,
• Site supervision and giving direction to UNOPS site staff and contractors on all related implementation issues,
• Review and certify the submitted payment certificate,
• Approve submittals and advice on suitable alterations,
• Follow up engineering consultants’ and construction contractors’ obligations on site including inspections, testing, quantity surveying…etc,
• Follow up and report on the project objectives and plans including any delineation of scope, budgeting, scheduling, and setting performance requirements,
• Advice the consultants/contractors on ways to maximize the efficient resource utilization through procurement of labor, materials and equipment according to the set construction schedules and plans.

Administrative tasks:

• Manage the archiving of engineering and procurement related material/s,
• Ensure scheduling of tasks related to project works at different phases,
• Maintain records, compile and check daily progress reports on construction activities, procurement and others according to the agreed timeframe of works for submission to the Head of Programme on a weekly basis and other periodic reports required by the UNOPS standard procedures,
• Manage engineering related material archiving,
• Assist in scheduling requested tasks related to project works at different phases,
• Perform any other tasks relevant to the infrastructure when required and coordinate with the CoE and/or the Regional Infrastructure Advisor.
• Develop project’s closure procedures in all phases. Perform complete contracts closure and gain formal acceptance, and submit final performance reporting

Monitoring, Progress and Risk Controls

• Organize, participate in and document the  Site progress meetings,
• Organize and lead team meetings on a periodic basis,
• Maintaining, accurate, quality and completion documentation as identified in responsibilities above,
• Set up quality management plan, perform quality assurance and perform quality control during all phases of the project,
• Ensure the proper maintenance of equipment, compliance with all codes and adherence to occupational health and safety regulations as per UNOPS requirements,
• Identify and control any environmental risks that can affect the site or the neighboring domestic areas around the site.

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (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 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 Project Board/Head of Programme and the project(s)

Delivery and Performance:

• 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 Head of Programme 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 Head of Programme
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to Head of Programme

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:  I. Project Initiation Documentation; 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 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 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
• 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

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

                                i.            Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

                               ii.            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 to a supervisor

• Excellence

1. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

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.

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience  in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)

Language Skills

Fluency in English and Arabic written and oral is essential.

Work Experience

Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in infrastructure, construction development and management preferrably in energy sector, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.

 Additional Consideration:

• Good knowledge of Palestinian National Construction Code, and International Construction Standards related to energy sector.
• Knowledge of design standards required for energy sector used by local authorities,
• High proficiency with computers in particular MS Word, MS Excel, MS Outlook, Internet, AutoCAD, MS Project, and other related software related to the positions field of expertise,
• Good report writing and oral presentation skills,
• Commitment, efficiency, flexibility and willingness to work in a highly motivated team of professionals,
• Ability to adapt to difficult working environment, under pressure and with limited timeframes.

Contract type: Specialist Local ICA 9

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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.