Project Manager (Infrastructure Asset Management Capacity Building Specialist) – Home-based retainer

Background Information – Peace and Security Cluster

The UNOPS Peace and Security Cluster (PSC) is a principal service provider in the field of mine action with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), UNDP, UNICEF, Governments of mine-affected countries and other mine action partners. It is led by the Director, who has overall authority and accountability for the performance PSC on behalf of its clients. The Director is responsible for administering and providing oversight of the day-to-day management of the Project Field offices, both according to the client requirements and in line with UNOPS rules and regulations.

Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS strategic focus places increased emphasis on national capacity development and sustainable approaches to project management, procurement and infrastructure services. A key objective is to be recognized as an organization that delivers world-class infrastructure and project management, which is both economically and socially sustainable, even in the most challenging environments. To achieve this goal, UNOPS has established the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG).

Within UNOPS, it is IPMG’s objective to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the group helps facilitate the successful delivery of programs and projects around the world.

To achieve its objectives, IPMG has created the Strategic Initiatives team. The Strategic Initiatives (SI) team works to develop methodologies and tools to improve development outcomes as well as assist in the positioning of UNOPS at the highest levels in related fields, including various global agenda focus areas, such as resilience, sustainability and inclusion.

This project will work in close collaboration with SI personnel, specifically the Senior Infrastructure Sustainability, Resilience and Inclusion Specialist.

Project Information – Support to DESA

The “Support to DESA Infrastructure Asset Management Pilot in Six Countries“ project will enhance the resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries in support of the 2030 Agenda.

The main challenge it seeks to address is the lack of sustained and systematic strategies, policies and actions at the national and local government levels to ensure that infrastructure assets support inclusive, affordable and sustainable essential public services over their entire lifespan. It will train local and central government officials in beneficiary countries in designing, implementing, monitoring, and reviewing forward‐looking, risk‐informed, and data‐driven infrastructure asset management strategies, policies, and action plans in support of essential public services that leave no one behind. It also aims to build capacity at the level of central governments on how to design and implement an improved national policy, regulatory and legislative framework to support infrastructure asset management at the national and local levels.

Key stakeholders for this project include central government ministries (finance, municipal government, urban development), municipal development banks, local government officials (elected and administrative) as well as civil society and the private sector. UNDESA is the main implementation entity with UNOPS and UNCDF as co-implementing partners.

UNOPS signed a Financial Agreement with UNDESA for the implementation of project activities in six (6) countries, namely, Costa Rica, Kenya, Laos, Nepal, Peru and The Gambia

This position reports to NYSC, PSC, Senior Portfolio Manager / Portfolio Team Lead and requires close coordination with SI in UNOPS and with external partners such as UNDESA, UNCDF and other implementing partners.

The incumbent of this position will be a personnel of UNOPS under its full responsibility.

Functional Responsibilities

**This is not a full-time position. Retainer contractors are used to carry out tasks on an intermittent basis and called upon to work when needed. There are no minimum hours or days guaranteed. This position is home-based but will require international travel.**

The Project Manager will report to the Senior Portfolio Manager / Portfolio Team Lead and perform the following functional responsibilities:

Project Delivery and Performance

• Provide substantive support to functions and implementation of the “Enhancing the resilience, accessibility and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries in support of the 2030 Agenda” (“Support to DESA”) project activities in close collaboration with the Associate Portfolio Manager and Senior Infrastructure Sustainability, Resilience and Inclusion Specialist, focusing on the development, implementation and evaluation of the project in six (6) selected countries, including the review and analysis of emerging issues and trends and participation in other areas of interest;
• Advise on policy development of resilience, accessibility, and sustainability of infrastructure assets in developing countries to relevant stakeholders, including the review and analysis of issues and trends;
• Support the development of an assessment tool based on UNOPS CAT-I assessment tool that will focus on infrastructure asset management.
• Coordinate technical infrastructure asset management enabling environment gap assessments in six (6) countries, including provision of guidance to national consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries;
• Coordinate, in close collaboration with the Associate Portfolio Manager and Senior Infrastructure Sustainability, Resilience and Inclusion Specialist, national consultants, as well as other project stakeholders, training, workshops, events and conferences to be implemented in the framework of the “Support to DESA” project;
• Prepare written summaries of meetings/visits and ensure relevant team members implement follow-up actions, as appropriate;
• Manage timely and high-quality reporting on projects, including compiling and preparing post-activity reports, creating presentations, managing surveys, drafting briefing and background notes as well as project activity summaries and updates;
• In collaboration with relevant personnel, document and analyze progress and results against project implementation plans, results matrix, milestones and targets;
• Keep track of donor reporting requirements and timelines and manage timely submissions;
• Draft narrative and review financial reports for donors in compliance with specific donor requirements and seek, compile and analyze relevant inputs from project partners;
• Provide substantial coordination support to the information flow between implementation teams, donors, partners and project teams, particularly related to any deviations that would require revisions to the relevant legal agreement;
• Review, in coordination with the Associate Portfolio Manager, activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc) and prepares related documents/reports accordingly (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc);
• Travel to project locations in support of the project implementation, as required;
• Provide Technical leadership in all aspects of the project implementation;
• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and the Implementation Plan;
• Supervise national consultants;
• Draft the requirements definitions for recruitments and procurement processes, including evaluating submissions received if appointed to the evaluation team and panel evaluation during interviews;
• Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Prepare substantive 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;
• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects’ life span;
• Maintain positive relationships with external stakeholders and ensures UNOPS participation in meetings related to the project;
• Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies;
• 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;
• Provide a functional tailored assessment tool based on UNOPS CAT-I assessment tool that will focus on infrastructure asset management;
• Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.) and ensure that technical reports are up to the standards required by the project;
• 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.

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.
• 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.

Education

• An Advanced University degree (Master Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience is required; Or
• A First-level University degree (Bachelor Degree or equivalent) with a minimum of seven (7) years relevant experience is required.

Experience

Relevant experience is defined in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or other infrastructure related subjects.

• Experience working in the built environment is required;
• Experience building institutional capacity is required;
• Experience with infrastructure asset management is required;
• Experience in writing reports, performing data analyses, and/or drafting documents is desired;
• Experience working with the global policy frameworks around sustainable and resilient infrastructure is considered is desired;
• Certification in Project Management (PRINCE 2, PMI, etc.) is desired.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in oral and written English is required;
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desired.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Retainer
• Contract level: ICS-10 (P3 equivalent; IICA-2 equivalent; LICA-10 equivalent)
• Contract duration: Ongoing, subject to organizational requirements and funds availability

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

Background Information – UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work-life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.