Project Manager

Established in 2009, Horn Of Africa Multi-country office (HAMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4)  Horn of Africa countries  (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan).  HAMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure, among others. 

The functions and services of the Programme Team include:

• Strategic Oversight/Portfolio Support: Applying and evidence-based approach to project oversight, early warning, corrective actions, and mainstreaming lessons into business planning

• Delivery Support: Doing Projects the Right Way with specific emphasis on in-depth, full project cycle management, from starting up new projects, to substantive closure.  Providing guidance to Project Managers and their teams in delivering projects according to policy and best practice

• Best Practices: Doing Projects Consistently and well through mentoring, coaching and developing the project management team’s capacity to deliver successful and impactful projects

Through these functions and services, the Programme Team aims to ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are followed and practiced according to the organization standards, while acting as the overall Project Assurance capacity within the business unit on behalf of senior management. The Project Manager (Transactional) strongly contributes to moving the office towards achieving its mission-focused goals and objectives.

• the day-to-day operations of the project and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of a Project Manage 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 organisation’s performance and delivery goals.
• creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partners. 

Summary of functions:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

2. Procedures 

3. Monitoring and reporting

4. Stakeholder engagement

5. Quality assurance

6. Knowledge management and innovation 

7. Personnel management

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, Procurement/Supply Chain Management or other relevant disciplines is required.

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Business Management, Development Studies, Procurement/Supply Chain Management in combination with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Foundation, PRINCE2 Foundation PMI or equivalent) is an asset.

• A minimum of  two (2) years progressive demonstrated experience in a Project/Programme Management role in the delivery of development projects is required;

• Working knowledge of project management software tools and applications is an asset;

• Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams is an asset;

• Experience in developing and successfully implementing stakeholder engagement plans is a distinct advantage.

• Past experience with procurement of goods/services is a distinct advantage;

• Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage;

• Strong Writing and reporting skills are an asset. 

• Experience in risk management is an asset.

• Strong problem-solving skills are an asset.

• Experience in the use of google software packages (Google Doc, Sheets and Slides) and experience in handling web-based management systems is an added advantage.

• Fluency in written, reading and spoken English is required.
• Fluency in  written, reading and spoken Amharic language is required.

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contract (LICA)
2. Contract level: LICA 9 (ICS 9)
3. Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. 

• 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.

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. 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.