DurationOngoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.
Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
Background Information - Job-specific
UNOPS East and Southern Multi-Country Office (ESAMCO) is recruiting for this position: Senior Project Manager (Implementation) to be based in Bujumbura, Burundi (Family Duty Station).
Qualified women and candidates from groups which 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.
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.
East and Southern Africa Multi-country office (ESAMCO):
East and Southern Africa Multi Country office (ESAMCO) currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi (Kenya) which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries across East and South Africa. These include Kenya, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, and Malawi. ESAMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services in those countries. Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners by delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in East and South Africa.
Project Information:
ESAMCO is responsible for delivering a project on Biodiversity conservation, sustainable land management and enhanced water security in Lake Tanganyika basin. This is a project aimed at strengthening the collaborative partnerships between the Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) and the contracting States (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Zambia). Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) was established by the contracting States on 12 June 2003 when the “Convention on the Sustainable Management of Lake Tanganyika” was adopted.
The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through United Nations Environment (UNEP). UNOPS will be the Project Executing Agency, and is accountable to UNEP for the overall implementation of the project. UNOPS will establish a trans-boundary Project Coordination Unit (PCU) in Bujumbura, Burundi to coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the project across the four riparian countries (Burundi, DRC, Tanzania and Zambia).
The project has 4 components:
(i) Addressing identified transboundary threats to fish biodiversity
(ii) Protection of core conservation zones in protected areas
(iii) Sustainable natural resource use in protected areas and their buffer zones
(iv) Transboundary coordination, information management and monittoring and evaluation (M&E).
Job Specific Information:
Based in Bujumbura, Burundi, the Senior Project Manager is responsible for delivering the day-to-day operations of the project. 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 the 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. The Senior Project Manager is expected to meet the organisation’s performance and delivery goals.
The Senior Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers (where appropriate) and approve deliverables produced by them.
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.
Functional Responsibilities
Summary of functions:
Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel management
1. 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
Implementing the project’s strategy for public awareness, communications and mainstreaming
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.
Provide support for completion of any assessments required by UNEP or GEF.
Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOP
2. Procedures
Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual
Finalize the assessment and selection of suitable responsible implementing partners for the different project outputs and activities and assist the Financial and Contracts Manager to conclude contractual agreements with each of the selected responsible partner institution
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.
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.
Work closely with the Project Financial and Contracts Manager to monitor financial resources and ensure compliance with the approved project budget and annual budgets, oversee production of quarterly and annual financial reports, and take overall responsibility for accuracy and reliability of the project’s accounting system
Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
Manage requests for financial resources through funding advances, direct payments, or reimbursement
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
3. Monitoring and Reporting
Take lead responsibility for preparation of the annual PIR, and oversee and ensure timely production, quality and dissemination of all key project reporting instruments, including the Inception Report, quarterly progress reports, annual PIR, and any other reports that may be required by the PSC, GEF and UNEP in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
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
4. Stakeholder Engagement
Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
Liaise with relevant government agencies, and all responsible implementing partners to ensure effective coordination of all project activities
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
5. 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.)
6. Knowledge management and innovation
Assist Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA) and other public institutions that are contracted as responsible implementing partners in the riparian countries, to further develop their skills and capacities in supporting the implementation of project activities
Coordinate activities closely with related national projects and oversee the ongoing documentation, exchange and sharing of experiences and lessons learned
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/coordinators 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
7. Personnel Management
Supervise and coordinate the work of all project staff, responsible implementing partners, consultants, and sub-contractors, ensuring timing and quality of all outputs in line with the approved Project Document.
Lead and motivate the project management team, if applicable
Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
Select, recruit and train the 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.
Impact of Results
The Senior Project Manager directly impacts o 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 a a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, 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 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/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
A Master’s Degree (or equivalent qualifications and experience) in Business Administration, Environmental Management, Project Management, Water Resource Management, or other relevant discipline is required;
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Environmental Management, Project Management, Water Resource Management or other relevant discipline in combination with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
Certification:
Project Management certification (Prince 2 Foundation, Prince 2 Practitioner, PMP) or equivalent is an advantage.
Experience:
A minimum seven (7) years’ of project management experience, with at least three (3) years’ of experience in leading large, multi-stakeholder donor-funded environmental, biodiversity conservation or sustainable development projects in Central, Eastern or Southern Africa is required;
Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary teams is required;
Knowledge and experience of transboundary water management will be an advantage;
Familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage;
Experience in managing Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded projects is an asset.
Language Requirements:
Fluency in both French and English is required.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
Contract level: IICA 3/ ICS-11
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
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.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which 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.
Bujumbura is a family duty station
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.
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.