Background Information – Job-specific
The EU is currently funding the Resilience Programme for Somalia which is based on the objective “to revitalize and expand the Somali economy with a focus on livelihood enhancement, employment generation, and broad-based inclusive growth”, financed from the European Development Fund (EDF). Under this project, UNOPS has been requested by the EU to provide support by filling in the identified gaps with flexible tools and mechanisms to implement the National Development Plan structure by establishing a Partnership Coordination Facility for Somalia. Coordinated efforts are essential in order to transform Somalia into a more resilient, and improved, economic sector with greater security, gender equity, improved human development, stronger infrastructure, and better access to basic services that are delivered by accountable governmental institutions. This transformation is hindered by slow institutions that are unable to respond quickly to emerging needs. The project will allow these needs to be identified by the Pillar Working groups, and to be satisfied in a timely, strategic manner. More specifically UNOPS will provide support to the coordination of resilience interventions, disaster management, and contribution to the implementation of the upcoming recovery and resilience framework in support of Result Number 3 of the resilience programme focusing on enhancing the capacity for the implementation and monitoring of a National Resilience Strategy. In addition, UNOPS will be further engaged by the EU to play a critical role in the support of the governance sector where we will be facilitating institutional capacity building, logistical support, and additional activities on the basis of EU demand.
Purpose and Scope of Assignment
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme (HoP), the Senior Project Manager (EU Partnership Programme) 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 organization’s performance and delivery goals. The Senior Project Manager (EU Partnership Programme) 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. The Senior Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:
Stakeholder Management:
Establish a solid working relationship with the project board (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 the 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
Authorize 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 the performance of service providers
Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to the supervisor
Procedures:
Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational 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
Monthly 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 complies 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 practices 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 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 Head of Programme
Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
Select, recruit and train 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 the workplace
Champion and communicate the 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 the capacity of local counterparts
Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system
Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)
Accountability for results and the use of resources
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 to a supervisor
Excellence
Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.
General:
Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. The Senior Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.
Qualifications and Experience**
Education
Master’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline is required.
Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant disciplines with a combination of two (2) additional years of relevant professional experience in may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
Certifications
PRINCE2® Foundation is an asset
PRINCE2® Practitioner an asset, but required completion within the first 6 months of onboarding
Certified Senior Project Manager – International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) or Project Management Professional (PMP – PMI) an asset.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in either Projects Management or Programme management planning and operations in a large international and/or corporate organization is required.
Experience working in a conflict or post-conflict environment is an asset
Experience in capacity building is an added advantage
Experience working in a national/Government ministry is highly desirable.
Experience in delivery of multilateral projects is an asset
Some experience in UN system organizations preferably in a developing country is desirable
Previous work experience in a hardship duty station is highly desirable.
Experience in managing multi-donor relations and stakeholder engagement is an asset
Experience in the disaster, risk and resilience sector is an asset
Experience in the governance sector is desirable.
Language Requirements.
Fluency in written and spoken English Language is required.
