Background information - DR Congo
Democratic Republic of CongoThe UNOPS office in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) delivers services from its head office in Kinshasa and project offices in Goma, Kisangani and Lubumbashi. UNOPS in DRC serves the needs of the Government with funding from bilateral donors, the EU, International Financial Institutions and UN agencies. UNOPS in DRC provides a wide range of project management and related services including procurement, contracts management, logistics, HR and financial management. UNOPS helps partners to achieve their project goals in sectors which include physical and social infrastructure, elections and the environment.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme 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 project manager is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with directions, 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
- 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 Head of Programme
- 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 UNOPS sustainability principles
- Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management
- Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at work place
- Champion and communicate project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders
Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity
- Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans
- Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff
- Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts
Partnerships and Coordination Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, the project’s place in the UN system
- Know the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and seek to contribute within the deliverables of the project
- 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
- 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 with a supervisor
Excellence
- Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.
Monitoring and Project Controls
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.
Education
Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant discipline.
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.
PRINCE2 Foundation Certification - Preferred
PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred
Successful candidates will be required to complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course within the first year of their assignment
A relevant combination of academic credentials and / or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
Languages
Knowledge of English and French is required.
Knowledge of English and French is required.
