Project Manager, Multiple positions At UNOPS

This vacancy relates to selection of candidates that will be responsible for the management of projects:

Nordic Support for Progress in North Macedonia: The Project works towards enhancing North Macedonia’s capacity for the EU integration process and also contributes to a more balanced socio-economic development in the country. It provides technical assistance and increases the EU accession related capacities of state institutions and contributes to improved communication of the benefits of the EU integration process, while supporting increased civic engagement in all phases of the accession process. It is funded by the Kingdom of Norway with 5.5 million Euros and the Government of Sweden with 2.05 million Euros through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The EU for Clean Air Project, is designed to contribute to the improvement of air quality in North Macedonia and consequently decrease risks to human health. With the objective to contribute to the reduction of emissions of pollutants in four large urban centers in North Macedonia, the Project is budgeted at 10 million Euros and will be implemented over 36 months.

The Project is aligned with the EU and national legislative and strategic frameworks, as well as the needs deriving from the health problems and economic consequences air pollution causes.8 The Project will contribute to the progress made towards meeting the EU accession criteria, primarily under the Chapter 27 (Environment) and to the achievement of the relevant United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (3 Good Health and Well Being, 7 Affordable and Clean Energy, 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities and 13 Climate Action).

The Project action will achieve five results, the first one being related to improving heating systems through the replacement of obsolete and inefficient boilers in 70 public buildings; the second result entails the procurement of environmentally friendly buses; the third will result in planning of six thousand tree seedlings will be procured as a part of the third result; the fourth result will deal with establishing the preconditions for extension of the heating network in Skopje through developing the Feasibility Study; finally, within the fifth result, the Project will ensure procurement and installation of air quality monitoring stations.

Local context: In North Macedonia, where UNOPS works since 2017, the organisation provides support to the Government in conducting demanding socio-economic reforms along the country’s accession to the European Union (EU). The projects have been implemented with the funding from EU, Sweden, Norway, United Kingdom, and the Government of North Macedonia. While supporting the Government-led reforms and priorities, UNOPS engages with a broad range of partners, including local self-governments and civil society organisations (CSOs).

The Office in North Macedonia is part of the UNOPS Multi Country Office (RSMCO), which also covers operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Serbia. All the RSMCO projects have been contextualised within the broader Sustainable Development Goals frameworks and objectives and have gender equality as a cross cutting theme.

Functional Responsibilities

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. S/he is expected to meet the organization’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:

1. Project Delivery and Performance
2. Procedures
3. Monitoring and reporting
4. Stakeholder engagement
5. Quality assurance
6. Knowledge management and innovation
7. 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. Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.
• 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 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
• 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 organization’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, Engineering, International Relations, Development Studies, Business Administration, 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

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience on implementing complex projects/programmes is required.
• Experience in implementing and delivering projects for international organizations or UN Agencies would be an asset.
• Experience in engagement with the Government and civil society would be an asset

Language Requirements

• Fluency in English and Macedonian is required
• Knowledge of Albanian would be an asset

ALL CANDIDATES ARE REQUESTED TO SUBMIT A CV AND COVER LETTER ALONG WITH THEIR APPLICATION

Certification

• Certification in Project Management ( PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) would be considered as 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.

Functional competencies

• Proven track record of successfully implemented plans and projects.
• Experience in creating and executing project plans to meet needs and requirements.
• Experience in writing reports, performing data analyses, and drafting documents.
• Experience in risk management for implementation projects.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies
• Experience working in multicultural teams.
• Experience in managing teams
• Strong written and verbal communication, presentation, and client service skills.
• Complete the UNOPS PMM and oneUNOPS Projects trainings within (3) months after signing this TOR

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position, it is therefore open to nationals of the North Macedonia and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

Contract type: Ongoing ICA

Contract level: Local ICA 10

Contract duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or to satisfactory performance

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 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• 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 (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.

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.

For more information on UNOPS, please visit the UNOPS website at www.unops.org