Job: Project Manager

Location: Buenos Aires
Deadline: Tuesday, 12 November 2013

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background information - Argentina

Argentina

The UNOPS Argentina office executes national and provincial operations and also monitors projects in Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. UNOPS provides support to a range of partners in sectors including governance, public works, disaster preparedness, education and health, among others. Projects are implemented using Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) signed directly between UNOPS and the national Government, and focus mainly on support to procurement processes and infrastructure works.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The project manager is responsible to produce/read the project 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 products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client. Success of the Project and hence Project Manager will be based on the Success Criteria of UNOPS engagements which are linked to the below responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager Level 2 are similar to that of the Project Manager Level 3, with the difference in grades being determined by the project level, complexity and level of responsibility of the specific position. A project manager at this level would normally be responsible for a UNOPS Level 2 project. A project manager at this level would likely be expected to manage a mid-sized project with mid-level risk or complexity. The project would rely on a number of external suppliers for its successful delivery and works on a tight timeline. The project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
• Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products.
• Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)
• Manage the information flows between the Project Board/OC Director and the project

Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the project board
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.
• Authorize Work Packages
• Advise the Project Board and OC Manager of any deviations from the plan
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted
• Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers
• Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to supervisor
• Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)
• Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board: I. Project Initiation Documentation; II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions
• Prepare the following reports:

i. Highlight Reports

ii. End Stage Reports

iii. Operational Closure Checklist

iv. End Project Report

v. Handover Report

• Maintain the following records: i. Blue File; ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required by those practices as per OD12.
• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• 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 and remain accountable for 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.

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies
• Complete lessons learned as per reporting format
• Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format

Personnel Management: if applicable

• Lead and motivate the project management team
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted
• Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the OC Director
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff)
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans
• Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s)
• Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UN DSS standards

Core Values:

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

i. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

iii. Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Harmonization within the UN and beyond

i. Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS; the project's place in the UN system

ii. Know the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and seek to contribute within the deliverables of the project

• Service to Others

i. As the project is representative of the United Nations it should be firmly rooted in the principle of service to others. This should be considered carefully in the development of project plans

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

i. The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue to a supervisor

Monitoring and Project Controls

Ensure that ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

Competencies

Below general Certifications, Contextual Skills and Project Management Skills are desired: Certifications Prince 2 Foundation Certified Senior Project Manager - International Project Manager Association (IPMA Level B) Project Management Professional (PMP - PMI) Contextual Skills International organisations experience Management experience Working with local governments Supervisory Experience Dealing with bilateral and multilateral funding sources Project Management Skills Budget Management Capacity Building Client Management Contracts Negotiation Financial Rules and Regulations Knowledge Management Monitoring and Evaluation Multistage Reporting Programme Management Project Design Project Development Project Management Risk Analysis Stakeholder Management Develop project team

Education

• Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
• University Degree (bachelor´s degree/first level) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline. A combination of additional years of relevant experiencia and a Bachelor degree in any of the areas mentioned, may replace the requirement of the Advanced University Degree.
• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification - Preferred
• Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing the TOR)

Experience

• Minimum five years of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
• A mínimum of five years of experience in consultancy, advice, purchasing, sustainable infrastructure, and environmental sector is an asset. It is a desiderable requirement to have experience in consulting servicies entities.

Languages

• Fluent in both Spanish and English

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractual Services (L-ICA) Contract level: L-ICA 7 Contract duration: 12 months con possibility of extension For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

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.

More Info and Application