Senior Project Manager job at United Nations Office for Project Services ( UNOPS )

Role Purpose

The Senior  Project Manager is responsible for 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 partner. The success of the project and hence of the Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria. 

The SPM will be the senior UNOPS officer in Uganda and will thus be expected to take on certain representational functions for the organisation. S/he may also be assigned to manage other projects in Uganda.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Summary of functions / Key Results Expected 

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

Project Delivery and Performance

• Plan the overall project activities (project implementation plan), maintain a detailed project work plan, monitor project performance, and exercise adaptive management as appropriate to ensure delivery of the project outcomes
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span
• 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
• 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 packages changes
• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation
• Identify and manage in a timely manner, potential risks (including environmental and social safeguard risks) and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved; regularly update the project’s Risk Register and ensure that appropriate risk management measures are put in place
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

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
• 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 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
• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations

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 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 duration of projects' life span

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

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

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff
• Actively interact with other Project Managers 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 learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span
• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

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 a team as required and taking into account gender parity and diversity objectives
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

IV. Impact of Results

The Senior Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.

Skills

Contract Management, Project Delivery, Project Management, Project Planning, Quality Assurance, Resource Management, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement

Competencies

 

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

 

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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 Requirements

Required

• Master’s degree (or equivalent qualifications and experience) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or other relevant discipline is required
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above

Certification:

• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMP, etc.) is an asset
• Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective and oneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months from joining UNOPS
• Professional certification from an accredited institution (PEng., CEng., etc) is an asset

Experience Requirements

Required

• A minimum of 7 years' experience in Implementing and managing infrastructure projects, preferably bridges is required
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

Desired

• Experience in an Electronic Bridge management System is an asset
• Experience in contract management is an asset
• Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is an asset
• Technical acumen, with the ability to understand and speak to technical project plans and documents
• Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures is an asset
• Experience in developing Procurement strategies is an asset
• Proficient in Microsoft 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 with the ability to manage tasks associated with the development of projects
• Strong Problem Solving Skills

• Plan the overall project activities (project implementation plan), maintain a detailed project work plan, monitor project performance, and exercise adaptive management as appropriate to ensure delivery of the project outcomes
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span
• 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
• 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 packages changes
• Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers
• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation
• Identify and manage in a timely manner, potential risks (including environmental and social safeguard risks) and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved; regularly update the project’s Risk Register and ensure that appropriate risk management measures are put in place
• Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS
• 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
• 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 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
• For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager
• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations
• 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 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 duration of projects' life span
• 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
• 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
• Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.)
• Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff
• Actively interact with other Project Managers 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 learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span
• Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• 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 a team as required and taking into account gender parity and diversity objectives
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

• Contract Management
• Project Delivery
• Project Management
• Project Planning
• Quality Assurance
• Resource Management
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Engagement

• Master’s degree (or equivalent qualifications and experience) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or other relevant discipline is required
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree 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, PMP, etc.) is an asset
• Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective and oneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months from joining UNOPS
• Professional certification from an accredited institution (PEng., CEng., etc) is an asset