Project Manager

Background Information - Job-specific

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 organisations. 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.

Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO):

UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine EAPMCOs: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2024, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 80 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

EAPMCO Papua New Guinea

The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea was formed in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea. As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognised as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people.

The Position is based in Port Moresby with frequent travel to Banz and Goroka in Eastern Highlands Province, both in Papua New Guinea, which are the locations for the project sites.

Project Information:

The incumbent shall manage 2 projects, whose details are provided below. Both projects are funded by the European Union.

EU WASH Project

The Project manager will manage a Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Project funded by the European Union located in Banz in the Jiweka province of Papua New Guinea. The project facilitates improved equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water in Banz, focusing on vulnerable groups and locations of higher human concentration (schools, healthcare facilities, markets) and improved adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene, with a focus on locations of higher human concentrations (schools, healthcare facilities, markets) and the needs of women and girls in vulnerable conditions. It focuses on two outcomes: (1) Improved equitable access to safe and sustainable drinking water and sanitation services in community facilities, targeting schools, healthcare facilities/urban clinics, and marketplaces; and (2) sustained use of safe water and sanitation services and adoption of improved hygiene practices among people living in targeted urban towns at personal, household, community and institutional levels, including people affected by humanitarian situations (i.e. COVID-19). The project is implemented in collaboration with UNICEF and will support the Department of National Planning and Monitoring (DNPM), Water PNG National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Authority (NWSHA) to deliver, on a sustainable basis, clean water and sanitation services in Banz. The project team is composed of a field engineer and engineering and WASH retainers, and will involve setting up a project office in Banz. UNOPS is responsible for the technical implementation of the infrastructure component.

EU Gender Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme

The incumbent will also manage an EU funded Soim Wakabau-EU Gender Based Violence Referral Pathways Programme (referred to here as Soim Wakabau). The project will advance effective the implementation of the PNG National Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence 2016-2025 and increase access of women, men, girls and boys in all their diversity, experiencing gender-based violence (GBV) to essential quality services, protection and justice, improve advocacy and agency of civil society organisations, women’s rights organisations, social movements, and communities to end GBV; and make more effective the engagement of community leaders, male advocates and influential groups and actors in society in changing discriminatory social norms, gender stereotypes, GBV and harmful practices. UNOPS will develop a model global standard for quality essential services in infrastructure at subnational levels. As a participating agency in the Project, under the leadership of UNWOMEN and UNFPA, UNOPS will construct model infrastructure (a safe house) and refurbish a Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary and Family and Sexual Violence Unit (FSVU) to support operational services including essential child-friendly service provisions combined with the development of operational guidelines, providing a model that can be replicated in other locations. Working with the central government agencies and provincial authorities, UNOPS will provide a prototype for the government to uptake GBV and Sorcery Accusation-Related Violence survivor-centered practices through construction/refurbishment and operationalisation of a model cost-effective, functional shelter and FSVUs based on international practices for GBV survivor centered care. Focus of the construction/refurbishment is the Eastern Highlands given the need for model infrastructure to support adoption of good practices and capacity development of service providers. As a participating agency, UNOPS will interact and coordinate all project activities, reporting and consultations with UNWOMEN (lead agency) and UNFPA throughout the Project implementation period as well as with the EU Delegation, the funder of the program.

Scope of the Role:

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the projectsand provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Boards to manage the projects on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of the 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 incumbent is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The Project Manager is responsible to create the Implementation Plan, use 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) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.

The Project Manager will be managing projects whose ultimate goal is to provide implementation services that contribute to the achievement of partners’ goals. Local Context: Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager based in the Port Moresby office, as well as in close liaison with various officials based at the South East Asia and the Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) head office in Bangkok, Thailand, the Project Manager will be responsible for carrying out the activities listed under the functional areas, during the implementation phases.

Project Delivery and Performance

Procedures

Monitoring and reporting

Stakeholder engagement

Quality assurance

Knowledge management and innovation

Personnel management
1. Project Delivery and Performance

Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)

Implement the approved plan (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 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.

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

Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises 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 2. Procedures

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. 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.

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 3. 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 projects' life span 4. Stakeholder engagement

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

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

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 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

Lead and motivate the project management team

Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established

Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely

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.

Project Manager/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

A minimum of 5 years' working experience in project management, contract management, financial supervision, HR processes, grants management, procurement projects or related fields, preferably in the services of design and technical supervision of WASH Infrastructures.

Disclaimer:

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.

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.