Job: Project Coordinator

Location: Port au Prince 
Deadline: Tuesday, 08 October 2013 

Description

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 -Haiti

Haiti

The UNOPS Haiti office supports international partners and the Haitian Government in their work to improve lives following the 2010 earthquake. UNOPS project managers and their local employees are helping to check the safety of damaged houses, build transitional shelters for homeless families, provide cleaner toilets for those living in camps, clear canals of debris to prevent floods, repair roads, and construct maternity centres and schools.

Background Information - Job-specific

In the context of the post-emergency and development phase in Haiti, UNOPS-HTOC operations have increased significantly. The nature of HTOC current and forecasted areas of intervention are large infrastructure projects (hospitals, roads, housing, buildings), health-related procurement such as medical equipment and ambulances, large volumes of IT equipment, vehicles and other goods.

The Health Infrastructure Unit is working in close relationship with the Haitian Ministry of Health to deliver several projects including design, construction and equipment of hospitals, laboratories and other health facilities that represent priority projects for the government.

Currently, UNOPS is constructing a new 200 beds departmental hospital in Gonaives, Haiti, on behalf of the Canadian International Development Agency. UNOPS is responsible for the design, construction, equipment and support to management of the facility. UNOPS has also been mandated by the Government of Brazil through UNDP Brazil to build and equip 3 community hospitals (1st level of attention) and the first public rehabilitation center for disabled people along with 2 regional laboratories.

The Project Coordinator will operate in the following project:

On behalf of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), UNOPS will be constructing:

a) The new National Midwife School in Port-au-Prince. UNOPS will responsible, for the design, construction, and equipment of the facility. In addition, UNOPS will be working closely with the project institutional partners, Ministry of Health and population of Haiti (MSPP), CIDA and the United Nations Population fund (UNFPA) in the implementation of the New Midwife curriculum.

b) Maternity clinics. UNOPS will be responsible for the design, construction, and equipment of these facilities.

Through this vacancy announcement, UNOPS- Health Infrastructure Unit- intends to identify experienced Project Coordinator able to lead current and future complex and high visibility construction projects to successful completion.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision ofthe Head of Health Infrastructure Unit (HHI) the Project Coordinator ((PC) providestechnical planning, administrative and financial support to projects, ensuringhigh quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The PC promotes aclient-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations.

The ProjectCoordinator will perform the following tasks:

• Ensure technical andadministrative coordination of the projects
• Ensureeffective and proper coordination of all operations of the Projects in order toachieve objectives of the Projects
• Actively work withthe HHI in all phases of projects cycle, specifically in terms of formulationof project methodology, support quality development of project documents,following project and budget guidelines, work and financial plan, etc.
• Participate in thepreparation of bid documents to contract firms responsible for providingtechnical services (geotechnical study, design services, technical supervisionof works, construction etc.)
• Coordinate all stepsof evaluation and selection of firms;
• Coordinateall procedures related to contract negotiations, contract evaluation andselection of offers.
• Oversee procurement,design and contract activities in collaboration with the procurement officer;
• Liaisingwith the Procurement Unit for purchase orders,contracts, and paymentrequests
• Manage the budget andexpenditures on an ongoing basis;
• Providepartners/donors detailed reports of progress of projects or other documentson project status;
• Coordinateinformation between clients, potential partners and donors (governmental andinstitutional);
• Carrying out visitsto various project sites;
• Createrepository of project documents, progress technical and financial reports,audit reports, assessment reports, closing reports, etc
• Work with the HHI toestablish measurable long/short term targets and monitor progress to measureperformance.
• Institutionalizeknowledge sharing among colleagues and interacting with clients and partners.
• Provide advisorysupport to the HHI on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), templates andguidelines, and support documents from project formulation, project approvaland project closure with focus on budget/finance related matters, costing, etc.
• Set goals, objectivesand milestones and monitor performance indicators and achievements.
• Ensure thatcontracted services are rendered according to contractual agreements and asplanned.
• Provide support totracking of project and ensure efficient project budget utilization
• Monitor projectexpenditure and liaise closely with Finance to ensure all necessary budgetfunctions are performed and funds are utilized in time
• Support therecruitment, training, supervision, management and deployment of internationaland national personnel in liaison with HR at various levels to the project.
• Undertaking otherproject support tasks as required by the HHI.

Education

• A technical (Engineering/ Architectural) background combined with a Master's degree in a field relevant to the assignment.
• A Bachelor's degree in combination with relevant years of experience may be accepted in lieu master's degree.

Experience

• At least 5 years progressively responsible professional and project coordination, project development, financial monitoring and reporting.
• At least 2 years out of the 5 years field experience in implementing projects in developing and/or post-disaster or post-conflict countries is highly desirable
• At least 3 years out of the 5 years in management of teams and personnel.

Languages

• Excellent command of English and French (oral and writing)

Competencies

• In addition to UN/UNOPS core values/competencies, ability to translate and apply business acumen and technical expertise and knowledge of UNOPS operations and project management methodology, to support operations and align initiatives with corporate strategies.
• Capacity for persuasive communication, consensus building and obtaining commitments from clients/partners and UNOPS personnel.
• Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationship with subordinates and peers to achieve common goal.
• Excellent communications skills and computer literacy
• Ability to effectively manage and work in a multicultural environment
• Ability to work in a remote office, under-developed area
• Strong analytical and planning skills, ability to build a positive and strong team spirit with staff.

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.

Contract type, level and duration Contract type: International Individidual Contractor Agreement (IICA) Contract level: IICA-2 Contract duration: 12 months 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

More Info and Application