Senior Project Manager

Job categories Project Management

Vacancy code VA/2024/B5328/29191

Level ICS-11

Department/office AFR, CDMCO, DR Congo MCO

Duty station Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance

Application period 06-Nov-2024 to 06-Dec-2024

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

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Background Information - Job-specific

Multi-Country Office Context:
Based in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the UNOPS CD Multi-Country Office (CDMCO) for Central Africa covers fifteen countries including 5 SIDs: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Sao Tome & Principe, and Seychelles. The Multi-Country Office has forged strong working relationships with international partners, United Nations agencies, including United Nations missions, and governments of Central African countries. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas, including infrastructure rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management, and sectoral advisory services; peace and security; environmental preservation and protection, among others.

Local Context:
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest country in Sub-Saharan Africa, rich in natural resources such as cobalt, copper, and vast arable land. It also boasts the world’s second-largest rainforest, contributing to its immense biodiversity. However, despite these resources, most of the population has not benefited from them due to a history of conflict and political instability.

Project Background/Context:
This position of Senior Project Manager will manage the Peace Fund III project ($55M, over 4 years), funded by KfW(Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau) Development Bank, which is intended to help promote lasting peace, particularly in the DRC. Given the context and the situation in Eastern DRC, the project aims to support and accompany beneficiaries in improving their socio-economic conditions by creating economic infrastructure, facilitating their access to social services, and creating income-generating opportunities in the productive sector, emphasizing sustainable agriculture. The assumption is that improved access to economic and social opportunities in the region will result in improved livelihoods for targeted communities and reduce poverty.

UNOPS, as lead implementer, will be responsible for the overall implementation and coordination of the project, including both FCP III (Fonds pour la Consolidation de la Paix) and Prevention of Juvenile Violence Components. UNOPS will be responsible for the main project deliverables as agreed in this proposal and the project financial and programmatic technical monitoring and reporting. UNOPS will be the lead expert accountable for the infrastructure components and oversee each selected sub-project's design, implementation, and post-construction phases. UNOPS will also be responsible for contracting firms to implement the selected sub-projects and contracting Inter-peace as the primary partner and peace expert. UNOPS will be the main interface with KfW, national and provincial12 authorities, responsible for organizing project coordination meetings and supervising the activities of the contracted parties.

The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners, and beneficiaries. The Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project continuously during the Implementation Stage. The primary responsibility of a Senior Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The Senior Project Manager is also responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Documents (PID) and Legal Agreement, and thoroughly understanding the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project(s) outputs can meet the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). The success of the project(s) and the Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.

Summary of functions:

Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and Reporting
Stakeholder Engagement
Quality Assurance
Knowledge Management and Innovation
Personnel Management

Functional Responsibilities

1. Project Delivery and Performance: Develop, complete, and update implemen...

1. Project Delivery and Performance:

Develop, complete, and update implementation plan(s).
Implement the approved plan (including establishing milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.
Embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender inclusion environmental and economic aspects, into the project life span.
Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and resource use and initiating corrective action where necessary.
Ensure that the quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.
Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.
Monitor project progress, ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.
Control project and work package changes.
Identify and anticipate potential risks and issues promptly and advise mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to the supervisor.

2. Procedures:

Comply with all organizational policies, specifically the Project Management Manual.
Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.
Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan.
Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.
Manage budgets, cash flow, and obligations to ensure 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 expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)..
Where the senior 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.
Provide a formal handover to the closure manager for project closure purposes.
Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation, and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.

3. Monitoring and Reporting:

Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports following Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality).
Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the project's lifespan.

4. Stakeholder Engagement:

Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client, and key stakeholders.
Enable the formulation of project communications plans, Coordinate internal project communications and monitor the effectiveness of project communications.
Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

5. Quality Assurance:

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.
Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure an effective interface with suppliers' quality systems.
Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables
Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation:

Encourage routine and practical capacity-building activities to build staff's long-term and sustainable capacity.
Actively interact with other Project Managers (PM) and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices.
Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learned are shared promptly and appropriately. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice.
Research and log lessons learned throughout the project's life span.
Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

7. Personnel Management:

Lead and motivate the project management team
Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately, and timely
Select, recruit, and train the team as required, considering gender parity and diversity objectives.
Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in a relevant...

Education

Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree) in a relevant discipline (Project Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, etc.) is required.
A first-level University Degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Certifications:

Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset.
Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective, and OneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months of joining UNOPS.
For Infrastructure Senior Project Managers: Professional certification from an accredited institution (PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset.

Experience:

A minimum of seven (7) years experience in implementing and managing infrastructure projects (roads, damns, bridges, irrigation, health, windmills, solar power, ports, etc.) is required.
Experience in contract management is an asset.
Knowledge of FIDIC (Federation International des Ingenieurs - Conseils) contracts is an asset.
Technical acumen, with the ability to understand and speak to technical project plans and documents is an asset.
Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures is an asset.
Experience in developing procurement strategies is an asset.
Proficiency in MS Project and Schedule Analysis is an asset.
Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is an asset.
Experience in writing reports, performing data analysis, and writing technical documents is an asset.
Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is an asset.
Experience in risk management is an asset.
Experience working in multicultural teams is an asset.
Experience in managing teams is an asset.
Strong analytical capabilities and the ability to manage tasks associated with the development of projects are highly desirable.
Strong problem-solving skills is an asset.

Languages:

Full working knowledge of English and French is required.
Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and ex...

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: Internation...

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applic...

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
This position is based in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which is a non-family duty station.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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APPLICATION TIPS

How to send a good application:

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people. The UNOPS family brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf on our partners. Spread across 80 countries, our workforce is rich in diversity and culture – with inclusion at its core.

We understand the importance of balancing professional and personal demands and offer several flexible working options.

Explore what we offer here.