Job categories: Project Management

Vacancy code: VA/2019/B5106/18960

LevelICS-10

Department/office:MR, JRS, Jerusalem

Duty station:Gaza

Contract type: International ICA

Contract level: IICA-2

Duration: Ongoing

Application period: 06-Dec-2019 to 19-Dec-2019

Under the direct supervision by the Head of Programme, the Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the donors, partners and beneficiaries.  He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.

Functional Responsibilities

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 the Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities.  A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for one or more UNOPS Level 2 project(s). A project manager at this level would likely be expected to manage a mid-sized project with mid-level risk or complexity. The project would rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery, managing tight timeline with some flexibility. The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with some degree of autonomy, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

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/OC Director and the project(s)
• Keep an open and effective direct channel with end beneficiaries and communities, to ensure ownership, understanding and manage expectations
• Liaise with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing and keep smooth communication and understanding of project development, in order to gain and ensure their support throughout the project period
• Participate to Gaza Shelter Cluster fora and working-group, as relevant to the strategic development of the project and broader UNOPS’ vision
• Participate to coordination and liaison activities established among humanitarian and development actors (i.e. OCHA, ICCG)

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• Closely monitor project implementation to timely identify risks and issues and promptly suggest correctional measures
• 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
• Provide clear guidance in  developing project’s SoPs (technical and operational) inherited from the Phase-I.
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and the 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 , report and engage in the development of potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor with alternative solutions and scenarios

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)
• Project Manager will be given a Level-1 of Procurement Delegation of Authority for the signing of contract with beneficiaries subject to the approval by the UNOPS HQs.

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
• Constantly collect evident-based information and data to maintain client abreast and aware of development and operational lessons learned, so to update and adapt project as need all along

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
• Ensure setting Development Plan and activities for his/her supervisee(s) and following-up
• 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 Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system

                                 i.            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 with  a supervisor

• Excellence

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

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

General: 

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.

• Facilitate the joint design of Monitoring and Progress Control plan together with implementing partner
• Approve and lead the Monitoring and Progress Control activities throughout all project implementation
• Conduct regular field visits to relevant locations of project implementation (i.e.: construction sites, community groups, beneficiaries households, municipalities, etc.) for Monitoring and Progress Control purposes
• Set-up a well-structured and efficient multilayer monitoring control system covering all technical, operational and financial aspects
• Ensure transparency and accountability towards beneficiaries through the management and implementation of project Complaint Mechanism
• Ensure external project website is updated, complete and relevant for reliable progress monitoring and real-time data available to the broader public
• Maintain the internal project monitoring system (SBM) to ensure upgrade request and modification are timely identified and implemented by the IT team
• Lead and monitor the Project Final Evaluation

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience  in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.                                               

B. Work Experience

• Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
• Work experience in Gaza is an advantage.
• Work experience for KfW-funded project is an advantage.

C.  Language Skills

Fluency in English written and oral is essential.

Apply To:

Interested and qualified candidates can apply online 

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