Senior Project Manager

Develop, complete and update the implementation plans.

Manage the design and construction processes in line with UNOPS rules and regulations. 

Manage the Design Review process during the design and final review by UNOPS Design Review Team, as well as external consultants that may be engaged.

Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board and Steering Committee. 

Embed sustainability dimensions and, in consultation with UN and government partners, social and gender inclusion aspects into the 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 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. 

Ensure effective contract management including supplier performance evaluation.

Act as the Employer’s (UNOPS’) Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.

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

Identify and report to AUMCO potential partnership 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.

Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes, approve requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments and,  if appointed to the evaluation team, evaluate submissions received.

Ensure maintenance of the project files and record lessons learned

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

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)

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 the project.

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), Steering Committee, 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, as well as UNOPS’ and appropriate national HSSE, PSEA and GESI 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 personnel.

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 on time.

Select, recruit and train the team, taking account of 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, harassment, sexual harassment 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.