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.
Project Information:
In 2024, the Ministry of Transport, Works and Water Resources (MTW) sought UNOPS' support in its organizational transformation, building on recommendations from a report conducted by the CARDNO Limited consultancy firm.
As a key driver of Barbados' development, MTW plays a vital role in advancing progress across multiple sectors. Addressing its operational challenges with a focus on sustainability and innovation, is essential to strengthening its capacity and ensuring its continued contribution to the nationโs growth.
The proposed technical assistance (โTAโ) from UNOPS outlines a strategic approach to overcoming these challenges and reinforcing MTWโs effectiveness as a critical institution for national development. Through targeted interventions, MTW can improve its operations and unlock opportunities for sustainable progress.
Local Context:
Barbados is the United Nations hub for the Eastern-Caribbean, and as such benefits from a strong UN presence. UNOPS presence in the country will be expanded for this project, with the opening of an office in Bridgetown, supported by the UN system and UNOPS Multi-Country office for Panama, Costa Rica and the Caribbean based in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Barbados is a safe country, with a UN Class A hardship level, and level 1 Security level in the US State Department. Normal caution is advised.
About Our Culture:
Our work helps build the foundations for countries and communities to achieve peace and sustainable development, guided by our values - Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity.
UNOPS celebrates diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. UNOPS encourages qualified female candidates, as well as qualified candidates from groups underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce, to apply. These groups include people from racialized or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as people with disabilities.
The Senior Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. 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 a 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. He/she is expected to meet the organizationโs performance and delivery goals.
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
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.
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.
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 organizationโs standard procedures. 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. 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. 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 practice. 7. Personnel Management
Lead and motivate the project management.
Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established.
Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely.
To access the full list of roles and responsibilities, please download the terms of references attached to the announcement.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
a. Education
Advanced University Degree (equivalent to a Master's Degree) in a relevant technical discipline related to the nature of the project is required. Preferably in any of the following disciplines: Infrastructure, Civil Engineering, Project Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Economics and/or other relevant fields. A Bachelor's degree will be accepted preferably in one of the aforementioned areas with a combination of a minimum of nine (9) years of relevant experience. PRINCE2 Practitioner, PRINCE2 Foundation or PMP is mandatory. Professional certification from an accredited institution (PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset. ***Please upload your academic diplomas or academic certifications to your application***
b. Experience
A minimum of 7 years' experience (or more based on academic merits) in managing complex infrastructure projects is required. Working experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is required. Working experience in implementing and delivering projects for international organizations is required. Experience in implementing and managing large scale transportation infrastructure projects is required. Experience providing technical assistance to governments in public infrastructure projects will be valued. Experience in technical assistance for public infrastructure advising entities on processes, quality, workflows, management, and advisory services is an asset. Project implementation experience working with policies of cooperation entities or financial institutions such as multilateral banks is an asset. Experience in mainstreaming sustainability initiatives in infrastructure projects is a distinctive asset Experience in implementing institutional strengthening activities in the field of infrastructure management is an asset. Project management experience within UNOPS would be an asset. Strong experience in contract management is required. Sound knowledge of FIDIC contracts would be an asset. Working experience in multicultural teams and /or in the Caribbean would be an asset. c. Languages
Fluency in English language is required Fluency in Spanish is an asset. Fluency in another UN language would be an asset. d. Job Requirements The position requires virtual and face-to-face contact with various people related to the projects. It is required to make field trips to health infrastructure works, including travel to the works and construction site. e. Cover Letter
While your resume shows your skills, experience and training, we are also eager to learn more about your interests and motivations. Therefore, we invite you to upload a cover letter along with your application for the position. Remember to share in the letter your motivation to join the UNOPS team in the advertised position, your interests and skills. Additionally we would like to know your perspective on the UN Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity. For more information on the UN Values, see the UN Values and Behaviors Framework document.
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: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: ICS11 equivalent to IICA 3
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - Subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
This contract is established in the Regular Monthly Contract modality; continuous service provision is required during the contract period; the payments associated with the contract will be processed at the end of each calendar month.
Work life harmonization: UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request. 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: 11:59 pm CST.
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. 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.
How to apply_EN.pdf (2.5 MB)
How to send a good application_EN.pdf (549 KB)
UN Values and Behaviours.pdf (3.2 MB)