Background Information – Job-specific
Position:Â Senior Project Manager
UNOPS ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Senior Project Manager based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Qualified women and candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or Indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities
This is a local position and is hence open to Ethiopian nationals only.
UNOPS has established a project coordination office in Mekelle, Tigray, to execute project activities. The overall project and the stakeholder relationships are managed by the Addis Ababa Office. To efficiently and effectively support the implementation of the World Bank Project, the UNOPS Ethiopia Office needs a Senior Project Manager who will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Executive based in Addis Ababa. The scope of this role ranges from engaging with high-level federal and regional government stakeholders, donors, project teams, other service providers etc to ensuring the timely implementation of the project.
The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of a Senior Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.
The Senior Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID) and 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(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). The success of the project(s) and hence of the Senior Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.
1. The Senior Project Manager is expected to manage two projects:
- The Response-Recovery-Resilience for Conflict-Affected Communities project.
- In November 2020, an armed conflict started in the northern region of Ethiopia (Tigray) between the Federal Government and the Tigray People Liberation Front. The impact of the conflict has resulted in the loss of lives, the displacement of the population, the destruction of social and economic infrastructure and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Local Context:
This project focuses on the Tigray Region to support the implementation of this World Bank-funded project that aims to rehabilitate health, education, and infrastructure facilities in the region. This will include:
- Community-based rapid response for repairs to basic services (schools, health centers, WASH).
- Community-based recovery activities (infrastructure improvements to schools, health centers, WASH).
- Strengthening institutions and society for resilience to maintain the above works.
2. Addressing Capacity Gaps In The FDRE’s Public Procurement And Property Disposal Service (PPPDs) And Management Of Information Systems For Aid Tracking And Coordination
The project has two main components:
a) capacity strengthening the MoF’s on management information system for Aid tracking
b) support the supply chain management of the FDRE’s procurement services
Functional Responsibilities
The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for the below-listed tasks:
Summary of functions:
- Project Delivery and Performance
- ProceduresÂ
- Monitoring and reporting
- Stakeholder Management
- Quality assurance
- Knowledge management and innovationÂ
- Personnel management
Project Delivery and Performance
- Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)Â
- Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.Â
- Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, and environmental and economic aspects into the project life span.Â
- Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
- Ensure that the 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 package changes
- Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
- Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
- Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved
- Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS
Procedures
- Comply with all organizational policies 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. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.Â
- 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 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 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 the project’s lifespan
Stakeholder Management
- 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
- Manage stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and 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 an 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 practicesÂ
- Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
- Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project lifespan.
- 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
- Behave as a role model
- Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are establishedÂ
- Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
- Development of ToRs
- Select, recruit and train a team 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, 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.
Impacts 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.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in a relevant discipline related to Business Administration, Economics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering and related field of studies is required.
- A Bachelor’s degree in the above subjects can substitute the Master’s degree requirement with an additional 2 years of relevant experience.
Certification:
- Certification of project management (PRINCE 2 and PMI-PMP etc) is an asset.
Experience:
- A minimum of seven (7) years of working experience in implementing and delivering projects/programs for international organizations is required.
- Experience in program implementation and/or fund management is highly valued.
- Experience in community development and livelihoods is a distinct advantage.
- A minimum of 4 years of experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is an assetÂ
- 4 years of previous experience working with UNOPS/ UN in managing and implementing similar projects an assetÂ
- The ability to build strong, trusted relationships and operate in an influential manner with the government, UN higher officials, etc. to assist in driving key initiatives is essential.
- Experience in creating and executing complex project plans to meet needs and requirements is an asset.
- Thorough experience in writing reports, performing data analyses, and drafting documents is an asset.
The successful candidate is expected to complete the UNOPS PMM and oneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months after starting the assignment.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written, spoken and reading English is required.
- Fluency in written, spoken and reading the local language (Amharic) is required.
- Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
Competencies
- Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, and 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.
- 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 a 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.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA/ICS -11
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance: One year initially, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability’
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
Additional Information
- Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
- UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.Â
- Qualified women and candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
- For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.Â
- For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
- All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
- It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
