Background Information - Job-specific
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 the 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 and Technical and Advisory Services.
Uzbekistan Office
Under the purview of AUMCO, the UNOPS Uzbekistan Office, established in Tashkent in October 2022 supports the Government of Uzbekistanโs development efforts in the country, through the provision of effective project management, infrastructure and procurement services. At present, the office has signed and has been implementing three engagements contributing to SGD3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), while actively working with the Government of Uzbekistan and development partners in diversifying its portfolio in line with the countryโs development priorities including education.
Projects Information
UNOPS Uzbekistan office has a portfolio of projects supporting the Government of Uzbekistanโs efforts in strengthening the healthcare system contributing to SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).
Under the project โImproving Healthcare in Kashkadarya Region: Delivering Infrastructure Design for New Hospitals in Karshi and Beshkent Cities,โ signed with the Government of Uzbekistan, UNOPS will be responsible for the management of the project and delivery of the infrastructure design of two new hospitals in the Kashkadarya Region, Uzbekistan. The design of two new hospitals is a step towards the Governmentโs ambitious healthcare reform agenda, aimed at providing improved access to quality healthcare to the people of Uzbekistan. The project is closely aligned with the governmentโs priorities under its far-reaching and ambitious reform agenda, with an overall objective for Uzbekistan to improve the health of the whole population through universal health coverage. Presently, the project is nearing the completion of the design phase and will soon enter the implementation of the infrastructure and procurement components.
The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) 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 (Infrastructure) 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 (Infrastructure) 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 organizationโs performance and delivery goals.
The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) 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 Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) will be based on the defined Success Criteria.
The position is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan; however, frequent travel to the Kashkadarya region will be required. Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Country Manager, the Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and will provide services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) ensures that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) is responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. He/She will contribute to the overall business targets and needs and is expected to meet and exceed the organizationโs performance and delivery goals. Hence, the Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle and s/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria. Effective project and stakeholder management will entail regular missions to the project sites and should be expected as a key function of the role.
Summary of functions:
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, and environmental and economic aspects into the 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 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. Act as the Employerโs Representative within the FIDIC Works contracts. 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
2. 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. Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded Ensure the 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 organisationโs 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
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 and community engagement 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, and 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 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.)
6. Knowledge management and innovation
Encourage routine and effective capacity-building activities to be conducted 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 lifespan. 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 the behavioural expectations of team members are established Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely Select, recruit and train the project 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 effective and successful achievement of results by the Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) 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.
Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and the incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
An advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) preferably in Architecture, Engineering or Construction Management or related disciplines is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in the above-mentioned subjects, in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience:
A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in management and/or delivery of projects or programmes in either public or private sector organizations is required. Expertise in managing projects with procurement and implementation of complex infrastructure and construction elements is required. Expertise in projects or programmes involving health systems strengthening through the construction of medical facilities and procurement of biomedical equipment/supplies in a similar middle-income country context and at scale (i.e. $50M+ in budget), are highly desired. Experience with stakeholder and partner management, including interacting with government officials and/or donors is an asset. Experience working on project management in a UN organization or a similar international organization, preferably in UNOPS, would be considered a strong asset. Experience in the management of FIDIC-based contracts is required. Experience working in Central Asia is an asset.
Language Requirements:
Proficiency in English is required. Working knowledge of Russian and/or Uzbek is an asset.
Certification:
Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset. Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective and oneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months from joining UNOPS. For Infrastructure Senior Project Managers: Professional certification from an accredited institution ( PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset. Drivers licence essential and ability to travel independently. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA Contract level: I-ICA-3 (CIS11) 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
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. 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.