Project Manager (Infrastructure) - Surge Capacity

Background Information – job specific

As a Project Manager, you will be providing technical guidance and PM support to UNOPS field offices globally. You will be assigned to surge missions with the objective to support projects and offices that require rapid Project Management and/or Infrastructure support. 

A surge assignment is expected to take from two weeks (for example for an assessment) to a maximum of three months (for example for the start up of a new project until the new PM is in place).  Frequent travel with extended missions to field offices, including to hardship locations is therefore expected. Remote support may also happen, or a combination of remote and field, depending on the nature of the assignment and clients’ preferences, as well as potential limitations to travel due to external factors. 

You will be responsible for providing temporary implementation management and support to projects in the field, in particular infrastructure projects, always with the aim of increasing quality, professionalism and creating efficiencies.  You will be working directly with the teams in the field offices, and your project management skills will be required for new or ongoing projects that are considered as high risk. Your work will focus on identifying challenges and delivering pragmatic and innovative solutions together with the local team in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. 

When deployed to a field assignment, your primary reporting line will be to the Manager of the position you will occupy during that time, with a secondary reporting line to the Surge Coordinator.

Please note this vacancy primarily aims to establish a pool of qualified Project Managers interested in retainer, ongoing or short term assignments in various locations (see section "Contract type, level and duration"). The person in this position will be required to travel to different locations around the world, including hardship locations. Missions abroad may last for several weeks/up to a maximum of 3 months. Availability to travel is therefore a prerequisite for this position, even though some of the missions may be conducted remotely.


 Functional Responsibilities

Functional responsibilities 

1. Project Delivery and Performance
2. Advisory
3. Procedures
4. Monitoring and reporting
5. Stakeholder engagement
6. Quality assurance
7. Personnel management

Depending on the type and status of the project and assignment, these areas may include the following tasks:  

1- Project Delivery and Performance 

• Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)

• Implement the approved plan (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 span. 

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved

• Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.

• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

• Ensure that proper Health & Safety standards are being implemented at all project sites and work with the contractor on relevant risk mitigation measures;

• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers

• Manage acceptance and delivery as well as changes of work packages

• Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly

• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.

• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

• Act as the Employer’s Representative within the works contracts.

• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

2- Advisory

• Review new engagements and engagement amendments, with a focus on identifying potential risks and opportunities in close collaboration with other IPAS reviewers and in line with corporate policy and compliance framework;

• Advise field offices on application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices pertaining to infrastructure and project management;

• Provide infrastructure and project management advice and support to new engagements and amendments through the engagement acceptance process;

• Work closely with other IPAS units to ensure the consistency of the advice provided during engagement acceptance process

• Provide backup support to infrastructure practitioners on matters relating to the management of UNOPS FIDIC-based Professional Services / Works Contracts.

3- Procedures 

• Comply with all organizational policy and 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

• Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.

• Manage budget, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.

• 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.

4- Monitoring and reporting

• Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

• Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).

• Maintain issue and risk reports as well as mitigation approaches as required by the organization’s standard procedures.

• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data and alignment to implementation plans;

• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span

5- 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. 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, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs

6- Quality assurance

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements

• Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems

• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables as well as in timely and effective undertaking of Quarterly Assurance processes

• Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)

7- Personnel Management  if applicable  

• Lead and motivate the project management team

• Select, recruit and train personnel as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.

• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

• Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harrasement, sexual harrasement and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments

 Competencies
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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)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. Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent such as MEng, MASc) preferrably in Engineering or relevant field is required;

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor's or equivalent such as BEng, BASc) preferrably in Engineering or  relevant field in combination with 2 additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

• Certification in PRINCE2® Practitioner and/or other project management certification is a distinct advantage.

Experience

Required Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of experience managing projects/programmes and/or providing project/programme management support is required.

• Within these 5 years, a minimum of 2 years managing infrastructure projects is required.

• Within these 5 years, a minimum of 2 years managing projects in the international development context is required.

Desirable Experience:

• Experience managing grants, procurement, livelihoods, or other relevant areas.

• Experience in a UN Agency.

• Experience as a UNOPS project manager given the nature of the surge capacity role.

• Prior experience working in the Global South, conflict and/or post-conflict environments.

Language

• Fluency in English, both written and verbal, required.

• Fluency in Spanish and/or French, both written and verbal, is highly desirable.

Contract type, level and duration

General 

Contract type: International Contractor Agreement
Contract level: IICA2/LICA10/ICS10
Contract duration: Several, possible short-term full-time / part-time opportunities (see below), subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Modality

There are two contract options to consider in this vacancy announcement:

1. Full-time open-ended (no end date) contract, with Copenhagen as duty station (or home-based). 
2. Short-term / part-time opportunities or Retainer on home-based.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx