Project Manager - UNOPS

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Ghana Operational Hub based in Accra –Ghana with Country Offices in Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone with compelling solid reputation across the globe in delivery of its core mandates in the areas of Project Management, Infrastructure and Procurement.

What drives us is a passion to fight inequalities and to provide opportunities to those most vulnerable. This means we often work in the most challenging environments, building foundations for communities to function and people to live with dignity and respect. To succeed here, he/she need to be able to combine creativity with the organizational skills to manage numerous different projects to tight deadlines simultaneously, as well as working with the different units to meet their expectations.

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different 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 docume…

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 Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the responsibilities described below.

The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he will rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery, managing tight timelines with agility and solution orientation. Reporting to the Head of Programme, 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 governance structures (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)

   

Delivery and Performance:

• Develop and maintain project plans
• Implement approved project plans (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 cycle.
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers

• Authorise Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager 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 and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

   

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organisational policy is complied with (Organisational 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:
  • Highlight Reports
  • End Stage Reports
  • Operational Closure Checklist
  • End Project Report
  • 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)
• 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.

   

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

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 Senior Management
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Take part in selection, recruit and assure training of the team as required by project plans
• 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
  • Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project

    management

  • Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place
  • Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders
• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity
  • Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans
  • Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff
  • 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 organisations 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.

Additional Requirements:

• Ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits;
• Responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case(s) and as monitored through the Logical Framework;
• Establishes and maintains effective performance management and control systems that ensures the project meets its delivery targets;
• Coordinates the work of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ensures effective resources (and talent) management within the project team;

• Creates an inclusive work environment that promotes the principles of shared outcomes, mutual respect, consultation, and information sharing;
• Demonstrates leadership in the application of the Hub and Region’s Operational Excellenceplans and ensures the project is fully compliant with the Project Management Manual;

   

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Project meets its annual delivery targets
• Accuracy of project planning
• Stakeholders satisfaction
• Personnel satisfaction and engagement
• Effective project governance
• Timeliness and accuracy of reporting
• Unqualified Audit

  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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Admini…

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Sciences, Political/Development Studies, Engineering or other relevant discipline.

• University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree / First Level) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Sciences, Political/Development Studies, Engineering or other relevant discipline with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience can be considered in lieu of a Master’s Degree.

• A Technical/Professional diploma in relevant discipline in combination of four (4) additional years of experience maybe accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.