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.
Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)
The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:
Infrastructure
Procurement
Project Management (full service, back on track)
HR and Transactional Services
Grants Management
Technical and Advisory Services
Project Information
Project Information:
Under the direct supervision of the AUMCO Head of Programme, the Project Manager will have the overall responsibility for the management and delivery of the EU funded Central Asia Civil Society Facility project, including its substantive delivery, including through fit for purpose project and financial management, as well as ensuring effective coordination with EU Delegations, UN Country Teams, and civil society partners.
The Project aims to foster and promote a conducive operating environment for CSOs in Central Asia through regional engagement. During the 4th EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum in March 2023, CSOs expressed a need for a facility to support continuous transnational exchanges on themes such as the environment, climate change, women, youth and digitalization. The annual EU-Central Asia Civil Society Forum, ongoing since 2019, serves as a platform for cross-country learning, and promotes cooperation and networking.
This project aims to enhance the participation and engagement of Central Asian CSOs in regional dialogues with each other, as well as the EU. This will include capacity development to CSOs to improve their competencies, including helping ensure that they have the abilities to deliver their work in line with the respective legislation, including regarding reporting and audit management capabilities.
Additionally, the project focuses on engaging young leaders, building on the momentum of the Young Voices of Central Asia Forum held in Samarkand in 2022. This will be done by enhancing the capacities of young leaders through dedicated training and knowledge exchange sessions, with focus on topics that are critical for sustainable development, including environment and digitalization.
The project shall be carried out in Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan). UNOPS will be responsible for the overall project management of the project, including monitoring and reporting to the EUD, and coordinate project activities under a dedicated project team with other implementing partners and relevant stakeholders. The Project Manager will further ensure that UNOPS and Danish Institute for Human Rights teams (who will be responsible for providing substantive and technical inputs and guidance to the project) work in unison.
This initiative requires a Project Manager who excels in active collaboration and engagement with government entities and other national and international stakeholders, and who can coordinate and lead effective delivery of the project, including its substantive elements.
A project office, overseen by this Project Manager, will be set up to manage the regional EU Civil Society Facility project, which will be based in Astana.
Functional ResponsibilitiesSummary of functions:
Project Delivery and Performance
Procedures
Monitoring and reporting
Stakeholder engagement
Quality assurance
Knowledge management and innovation
Personnel management
Project Delivery and Performance
Develop and maintain updated implementation plan to deliver the substantive and managerial elements of the project.
Implement the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Steering Committee and UNOPS quality assurance mechanisms.
Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
By overseeing the project team, manage the delivery 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, including engagements with civil society and young leaders, as well as the respective capacity development elements, complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
Liaise with any external implementing partners, grantees, suppliers or account managers.
Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages, including in connection with implementing partners.
Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.
Control project and work packages changes.
Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise mitigating measures to senior management/Steering Committee, so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
Identify and report to the supervisor potential partnerships opportunities.
2. ProceduresOversee the project team and their efforts to comply with all organizational policy and specifically the UNOPS Project Management Manual.
Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Steering Committee.
Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan.
Direct the project team to ensure maintenance of the project files and that lessons learned are recorded.
Work with the project team to plan and manage budgets, cash flow and financial reporting 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, in line with UN budget and HR rules.
Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports), ensuring monitoring and management of 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 reportingPrepare 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 progress reports as required by the organizationโs 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 engagementAct as the coordinator and liaison between stakeholders, including CSOs, young leaders, government partners, and the EU, ensuring effective coordination and collaboration, including towards the delivery of substantive activities and management requirements such as reporting.
Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs.
Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies.
Establish solid working relationships with the Project Steering Committee and other key stakeholders.
Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications.
5. Quality assuranceWork with the project team and internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.
Work with procurement/purchasing personnel through the project team 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 innovationEncourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
Provide support to CSOs in building their internal control and governance structures.
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 including experts provided by the implementing partner.
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
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 requirementsEducation
Advanced University Degree International Relations, Political Science, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related discipline is required.
Certification Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) would be an asset Experience
A minimum of 7 years of project management experience, preferably in the development sector, is required. A minimum of 2 years of experience with civil society organizations (either employed by a CSO or working with a public organization that engaged with/supported CSOs) is mandatory. Experience working with the UN or other international organizations is desired. A proven track record of managing projects funded by international donors or development agencies, such as the EU, is desired. Experience working with and managing multicultural teams is crucial. Prior working experience in the Central Asia region and/or post-Soviet countries is a strong asset. Willingness and ability to frequently travel within the Central Asian region as needed by the project is expected, including at times on short notice. Languages
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Full proficiency in Russian is required. 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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: ICS 11/IICA3 Contract duration: 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.
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.