Background Information – Job-specific

UNOPS Overview

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

UNOPS in Somalia

UNOPS has been operating in Somalia since 1995, providing implementation and advisory support for various development initiatives in the areas of infrastructure, project management, procurement and financial services. Based in Mogadishu, the Somalia Country Office is currently implementing 19 projects across Somalia worth over $170m. From delivering high quality infrastructure for public services to facilitating the reform of the security sector and supporting crisis recovery, UNOPS is an established partner of government and donors alike in Somalia’s path towards reconstruction and state-building.

Background Information: Somalia

Somalia is amid major new political and security developments that will offer a greater possibility for peace and security than the country has seen in over 20 years. The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), established in 2012, and international communities have driven a process of rebuilding of functioning government institutions and processes through Somalia’s peacebuilding and state-building priorities under the Somali Compact (2013-2016), based on the Busan “New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States” agreement. The Somalia National Development Plan (2017-2019) builds on this foundation laid by the Compact and sets the priorities for national recovery and development in full collaboration with national and regional governments. A landmark electoral process in late 2016 and early 2017 resulted in a peaceful transfer of power to a new President and government, in place since February and March 2017, respectively. At the London Somalia Conference in May 2017, a Security Pact was agreed upon by Somalia and the international community, which will allow for sustainable, long-term security based on mutual accountability. At the time of advertising this position – in February 2023, a new federal government is embarking on an ambitious peace and development agenda.

The functional objective of UNOPS in Somalia is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Somalia and the donor community. The aim of UNOPS in Somalia is to provide implementation services to the Government of Somalia, the donor community, and partner agencies in the reconstruction and development of the country. In doing so, UNOPS aims to exceed client expectations in the delivery of quality services throughout the country.

Project Background (Specific Information about the Project)

The “Somalia – Horn of Africa Infrastructure Integration Project” (SHIIP) financed by the World Bank, is part of a larger program aimed at instigating economic development and structural transformation of the Horn of Africa (HoA) countries. The envisaged development and transportation are designed to be achieved by enhancing regional integration through the expansion of transport and trade infrastructure. The project aspires to create and expand four major development corridors and over seven thousand kilometers of roads in the HOA countries.

SHIIP improves connectivity among the countries in the Horn of Africa by providing access to seaports, facilitation of domestic and regional trade and economic integration, and road safety. For this project, the Federal Government of Somalia Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MoPWR&H) will prepare a spatially coordinated investment pipeline of economic corridor projects to strengthen the National Government’s Management of the Transport and Trade Sectors.The Somalia Horn of Africa Infrastructure Program (SHIIP) aims to enhance connectivity in the Horn of Africa region by improving access to seaports, facilitating domestic and regional trade, promoting economic integration, and increasing road safety. To support this initiative, the Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MoPWR&H) will develop a spatially coordinated investment pipeline of economic corridor projects. This pipeline will strengthen the National Government’s management capabilities within the transport and trade sectors.

Background Information – Job Specific

The project manager will be located in Mogadishu, Somalia, where the Somalia Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements. SOCO works with multiple partners, including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, United Nations agencies, funds, and programmes. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Project Manager will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The 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. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The Project Manager is responsible to create the Implementation Plan, use 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) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). Success of the project(s) and hence Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria. The project manager will be managing project(s) whose ultimate goal is to deliver infrastructure physical assets or technical outputs. Those infrastructures are diverse and range from educational and health facilities to roads, bridges, irrigation systems or ports.

While the complexity of those projects may vary, maintaining high standards in terms of quality, health, safety and sustainability is always expected. Depending on the nature and configuration of the project, the project manager might be executing technical studies, reviews, designs, supervision or operation and maintenance services of one or several physical infrastructure assets, in one or multiple sites. Depending on the implementation modality it may involve large volumes of procurement of goods, services and HR services.

UNOPS operates in complex contexts where resources might be scarce, local capacity low and where professional judgement and experience in these environments are of uttermost importance.

Functional Responsibilities

•  Project Delivery and Performance
•  Procedures
•  Monitoring and reporting
•  Stakeholder engagement
•  Quality assurance
•  Knowledge management and innovation
•  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
  •  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
•  Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
•  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
•  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

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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)

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/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

•  Advanced University Degree in a relevant discipline, Project Management, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Transport Engineering or a related field is required.
•  A combination of a Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Certification:

•  Professional certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset.
•  Complete the UNOPS PMM, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective, and oneUNOPS Projects training within (3) months from joining UNOPS.
•  Professional certification from an accredited institution ( PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset

Experience:

•  A minimum of 5 years’ experience in implementing and managing infrastructure projects (roads, bridges is required.
•  Experience in contract management is an asset.
•  Knowledge of World Bank contracts is an asset.
•  Technical acumen, with the ability to understand and speak to technical project plans and documents.
•  Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures is an asset.
•  Experience in developing Procurement strategies is an asset.
•  Proficiency in MS Project and Schedule Analysis is an asset.
•  Experience in developing countries or post conflict environments is an asset.
•  Experience in writing reports, performing data analysis, and writing technical documents is an asset.
•  Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is an asset.
•  Experience in risk management is an asset.
•  Experience working in multicultural teams is an asset.
•  Experience in managing teams is an asset.
•  Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to manage tasks associated with the development of projects.
•  Strong Problem-Solving Skills.

Language Requirements:

•  Full working knowledge of English is required.
•  Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: ICA (Individual Contractor Agreement) Contract level: I-ICA 2 Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. The results of this process may also be used to fill potential short-term, retainer, or home-based positions in the future, should such organizational needs arise.

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 Information

•  Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
•  Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
•  Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
•  UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
•  UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
•  We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
•  Duty Station: Mogadishu, Somalia, which is a non-family duty station.

Terms and Conditions

•  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 ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
•  All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and 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 personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.