UNOPS
Background Information- Job specific
The Project “Support to the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights Sector – Application of Unique Information System of Judiciary” is designed to contribute to the enhancement of the rule of law system by increasing efficiency and effectiveness of the institutions and to bring the system for promotion and protection of human rights in line with the best EU practices.
In order to improve ICT systems in all subsystems of the judiciary, compliant with the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) standards(1), and enhance the technical capacity of the institutions implementing the Action Plans for the EU Accession Chapters 23(2) and 24(3). The European Union (EU) has provided 2,100,000 Euros through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) 2018 to fund the Project, which will be implemented by UNOPS with an implementation duration of 20 months.
The Project will address some of the key problems identified by the Ministry of Justice, notably the lack of reliability of existing ICT systems and a human capacities’ weakness, which are also identified in the European Commission (EC) 2021 Montenegro Report(4). The aim of the Project is to address these weaknesses through:
ensuring the application of the Unique Information System of Judiciary (ISP) which would be covering the needs and key business processes of the judicial institutions,
conducting the procurement of ICT equipment, enabling the ISP security improvement and institution certification, and
arranging specialised training for the employees of judicial institutions.
This project may be considered transactional – the procurement priorities have been agreed and specifications available – however, due to very limited ICT equipment installation works envisaged, it belongs to Category 3 of UNOPS classification.
Key national Project partner is the Ministry of Justice, benefiting from the outcomes of the Project along with the Judicial Council and the 25 courts, the State Prosecutor’s Office and the Institute for Enforcement of Criminal Sanctions.
UNOPS, as the implementing partner, will be responsible for managing the Project and conducting the procurement as necessary, in accordance with its procurement policy and regulations, with the inputs and in collaboration with the national beneficiary institutions, and with the consent of the Contracting Authority – the donor. UNOPS is also responsible for tendering and evaluation, contract award and contract management with the providers delivering equipment, installing the software and certifying the institutions, as well as the provision of training for employees and the transfer of ownership to the beneficiary institution where needed.
(1) Council of Europe, Quality of Justice including Digital Transformations of the Judiciary
(2) Judiciary and Fundamental Rights
(3) Justice, Freedom, and Security
(4) https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/montenegro-report-2021_en
Functional responsabilities
Functions / Key Results Expected
Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. 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 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 organisation’s performance and delivery goals.
Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them.
Project Manager is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreement and having 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 of the Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.
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.
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.
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 organisational 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 organisation’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 behavioural 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, harrasement, sexual harrasement 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.
Education
Advanced University Degree preferably in Project Management, Business Administration, Public Administration, Development Studies, International Relations, or other relevant discipline is required.
University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of two additional years of relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of the Advanced University Degree
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of experience in implementing projects/programmes is required.
Experience in implementing and delivering projects for international organisations or UN Agencies would be an asset.
Experience in engagement with the Government and international officials would be an asset
Language Requirements
Fluency in Montenegrin and English language is required
Certifications
Certification in Project Management ( PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset
Core Competencies
Strategic Perspective – 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)
Integrity & Inclusion – 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.
Leading Self and Others – 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.
Partnering – 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).
Results Orientation – 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.
Agility – 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 behaviour. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Solution Focused – 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.
Effective Communication – 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
This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of Montenegro and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.
Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Specialist – ICS 9
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
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. 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.
Background information- UNOPS Serbia
The UNOPS Republic of Serbia Multi-Country Office (RSMCO) is implementing 10 projects in Serbia, North Macedonia, and Montenegro.
In Serbia, where UNOPS has been active since 2000, and North Macedonia and Montenegro where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support in demanding socio-economic reforms and facilitating accession to the European Union. The projects focus on sustainable socio-economic development, good governance, social cohesion, environment and emergency response. The projects are implemented with funding from the European Union (EU), the Kingdom of Norway, the Governments of Switzerland, Sweden and North Macedonia, and UNHCR.
All projects have gender equality as a transversal theme and have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives.
How to apply
Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter to UNOPS via https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=25190#2