Project Management Office (PMO) - Officer

Background Information – Zimbabwe

Following the devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by Cyclone Idai in March 2019, the World Bank (WB) has allocated up to US$ 72 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank (AfDB) has allocated US$ 25 million to finance socioeconomic recovery in Zimbabwe. These projects address both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture and infrastructure). UNOPS has been requested to establish multiple projects in Zimbabwe to assist with the recovery of the selected areas in Zimbabwe that were most affected by the cyclone.

Background Information – Job Description

The Project Management (PMO) Officer shall be responsible for the bid evaluation and the contracts administration of the civil, electrical distribution, water and sanitation works, ensuring successful delivery of work packages under the respective Technical Teams.  S/he is responsible for ensuring high quality documentation is carried out on time and on or under budget. Work packages will be in national locations with the documentation being carried out in Mutare, Zimbabwe. The particular project that these terms of reference is in respect to is the AfDB funded Post Cyclone Idai and Kenneth Emergency Recovery and Resilience Programme (PCIREP) for Zimbabwe. 

The incumbent will be based in Mutare with possible requirements for travel to other Districts of Manicaland Province (Chipinge and Chimanimani) and will work in close collaboration with the respective Project Manager and the Harare based UNOPS PIU.

The contract manager shall be responsible for undertaking all the tasks required to ensure timely, cost effective and quality delivery of the projects, goods and services. He/she reports to the Project Manager and may be required to undertake the following tasks:

• Ensure the correct procedures are followed for the procurement of works, goods and services as per the UNOPS Procurement Guidelines in collaboration with the procurement officer;
• In collaboration with the procurement officer, draft tender documents, participate in the tendering process, bid evaluations and prepare bid evaluation reports with contracts award recommendations;
• Liaise with the Zimbabwe PIU procurement office (based in Harare) to draft submissions to the relevant Contracts and Procurement Committee seeking approval for the award of the Contracts in collaboration with the procurement officer;
• Provide inputs in the drafting of the contract documents and organize the signing of the contracts for the works, goods and services;
• Monitor the overall financial and physical progress of awarded contract in collaboration with the Project Manager;
• Review requests for variation orders and make recommendations for the Project Manager’s approval;
• Collaborate with regional engineers/project engineers on technical matters and make recommendations with the guidance of the Project Manager on mitigation measures to prevent/minimize delays in contract implementation;
• Review payment certificates received from the Contractors for the Project Manager’s approval;
• Submit periodic reports on contracts progress, including recommendations for delivery performance improvements;
• Establish and maintain a database on monthly payments to the contractors and review the cash flow projections;
• Maintain the Works Contracts database;
• Maintain the Quality Register of all QA and QC documentation emanating from the Field Engineers;
• Draft letters related to UNOPS Condition of Contract in order to address contractor’s issues / claims and time extension, variation orders, completion certificates etc for the Project Manager’s approval;
• Train Project Team staff on Works Contracts administration;
• Attend procurement/ Contract related workshops/ discussions;
• Prepare contracts status reports for client/stake holder reporting for the Project Manager’s approval;
• With guidance from the PM, guide the Project Engineers in preparation of preliminary and final Engineer’s Estimates and Bills of Quantities;
• Carry out site inspections and assessments as required and prepare reports for approval by the PM;
• Carry out research and identify appropriate technologies/techniques/designs that can be incorporated in the infrastructure projects monitoring systems;
• Actively engage in knowledge sharing and also improve one’s professional skills;
• Undertake any other duties as requested by the Project Manager;
• To be present in Mutare and be prepared to travel to any site in Manicaland Province as required and as UN DSS security permits;
• Act as the project focal point for all contractual, design, construction and payment issues for infrastructure projects, goods and services;
• Create and maintain a snags register for infrastructure projects during the Defects Notification Period;
• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of Stage Plans and End Stage Reports;
• Maintain and update issue and risk register for the implementation phase of infrastructure projects;

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Monthly project progress reports;
• Assignment/mission reports;

  Final Product

• All project activities are successfully supervised and monitored against UNOPS Project Management Policies and Procedures, including understanding of the risks and impacts and implementation of mitigation measures;
• Successful corrective measures to ensure quality delivery are undertaken by UNOPS and all project partners where mitigation measures have failed;
• All reporting, is developed with appropriate levels of quality and delivered as defined in the UNOPS PMM;

• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Building Economics and Management and Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying from a reputable organization with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience is required;

• Minimum of two (2) years’ of relevant experience in contracting and/or consulting environment is required;
• Experience in developing countries and knowledge in the country context related field is an added advantage;
• Experience working with UN or other Humanitarian/Development agencies is an added advantage;
• Experience working on International /local projects in conflict/disaster prone areas is required;
• Communication, Report writing and Technical writing skills are required is required;
• Skills in International building Code, Sustainable Development, Supervisory experience and Post conflict experience is an added advantage;

• Certification in PRINCE2 or other Project Management Discipline is an advantage;

• Excellent command of English language (oral and written).

• 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.
• 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.

The position is based in a family duty station

1. Contract type: International Contractor Agreement 
2. Contract level: LICA Specialist 8
3. Contract duration:‘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.