Associate Project Manager - Support to Humanicemos DH Project

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. The Head of Cluster is responsible to administer, provide support and 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. It is headed by the Head of Cluster who has the overall authority and accountability for the performance of the Peace and Security Cluster on behalf of its clients.

In Colombia, UNOPS implements an UNMAS programme of technical assistance aiming to support the Colombian humanitarian mine action sector, with a focus on the national mine action centre, and on the demining organizations.

In the framework of the current Humanicemos DH project implemented by UNMAS Colombia (as implemented by UNOPS Peace and Security and but under the overall oversight and strategic direction of UNMAS HQ), to support the reintegration of former FARC-EP combatants through humanitarian mine action. In addition to training and employing former combatants, this project is emphasizing the organizational and operational capacity development of Humanicemos DH (HDH)—a humanitarian mine action and demining organization that was established by former members of the armed group and is currently funded by a contribution from the Colombia Post-Conflict UN Multi Partner Trust Fund (UNMPTF) to UNOPS.

In order to support greater project sustainability, one of the main components of this project, is the provision of organizational, operational, grant management, and resource mobilization technical assistance and grant support directly to Humanicemos DH with the objective of strengthening to support its operational, technical and organizational its capacity to grow beyond the project life development.

Under the supervision of the Programme Manager the Associate Project Manager is responsible to produce/read the project initiation 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(s) products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the client.

In line with applicable UN policies, the Associate Project Manager for Support to Humanicemos DH Project is responsible for provide to the organization ongoing support to ensure that the grants and organizational requirements are compliant and conducted within the required timeline.

The Associate Project Manager for Support to Humanicemos DH Project will act as the focal point between UNMAS, UNOPS-PSC, donors, Humanicemos DH and other key stakeholders under the guidance and direction of the UNMAS Deputy Programme Manager.

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 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 Programme Manager, Deputy Programme Manager and the project.

Delivery and Performance:

• Under the direction of the Deputy Programme Manager, manage personnel and coordinate the project activities, premises and assets within an allotted budget.
• Develop and maintain project plans.
• Contribute to the development of the Programme strategy and workplans;
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life cycle.
• Actively interact with other project managers and the project management community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;
• Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
• Liaise with appropriate authorities, peacekeeping missions, UN agencies and Programme stakeholders to facilitate the elaboration of project strategies including risk and issue management;
• Advise the Programme Manager and Deputy Programme Manager of changes or deviations from plans, including through the identification and management of risks and issues, ensuring maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders;
• Ensure timely planning and implementation of the activities, ensuring that the project’s goals and objectives are accomplished within the prescribed project timeframe and the agreed funding budget;
• Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved;
• Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;

Additional requirements:

• Any other relevant duties or tasks as identified by the Programme Manager or Deputy Programme Manager.

Procedures:

• Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Operational Instructions)
• Prepare the following reports:

                                i.            Highlight Reports

                               ii.            End Stage Reports

                             iii.            Operational Closure Checklist

                             iv.            End Project Report

                               v.            Handover Report

• Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).
• Manage budgets, cash flows, and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• In close coordination with the Programme Management Team, the Operations and Training Officer, the Quality Management Coordinator and the Associate Support Services Officer, contribute to the elaboration of the Programme Budget;
• Participate in the preparation of various hiring and procurement processes including the development of scope of works, budgets, terms of reference, contracts and all technical requirements for the procurement contracts related to the project;
• 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)

Knowledge Management:

• Maintain a high level of knowledge on International Mine Action Standards, National Technical Standards and Guidelines, UN Standards, applicable Standard Operating Procedures, best practices and other relevant norms applicable to explosive threat mitigation;
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice;
• Actively interact with other project managers and the project management 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:

• Lead and motivate the project management team;
• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established;
• Ensure that performance reviews are conducted;
• Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff);
• Select, recruit and train team as required by project plans;
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

                                i.            Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

                               ii.            Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place

                             iii.            Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity

                                i.            Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

                               ii.            Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Partnerships and Coordination

                                i.            Understand the project’s place in the UN system

                               ii.            Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners

• 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.

• Excellence

                                i.            Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

Monitoring and Progress Controls

General: 

Ensure that the project(s) 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 as per the programme mandate, strategy and workplans. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

Education and relevant years of experience:

• Master’s degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline with 2 years of relevant experience
• First Level University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline, may be accepted in lieu of the advance university degree with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience.                                                

• Relevant experience is defined as experience in project development and management, supporting operations in humanitarian, conflict, post-conflict, or development contexts with public or private sector organizations
• Understanding of UNOPS policies and systems from previous experience in highly desired;
• Experience in project monitoring and reporting is highly desired;
• Field experience is highly desired.

• Fluency in both English and Spanish (writing, speaking and reading) is required 
• Knowledge of another UN official language is desired

• 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
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• For staff positions only, 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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: LICA-9 (ICS-9)
Contract duration: 3 months with the possibility of extension dependent on satisfactory performance and funds availability

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.