Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Services) has been operational in Panama since 2009, providing technical advisory services and overseeing the execution of complex infrastructure projects, procurement, and project management. The organization operates in 23 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on high-impact solutions that drive sustainable development. UNOPS aims to enhance the quality of life and promote inclusive growth by constructing and improving resilient infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public facilities, sanitation systems, and housing. The organization collaborates closely with governments and communities to ensure economic, social, and environmental sustainability in the projects it supports, particularly in Panama, where it is developing significant projects for the National Government.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager will oversee infrastructure projects aimed at delivering physical infrastructure assets or technical products. These projects can range from educational and health facilities to roads, bridges, irrigation systems, or ports. The Project Manager is responsible for the daily operations of the project(s) and provides services to various donors, partners, and beneficiaries. This role requires managing the project continuously during the Implementation Phase, ensuring that project outputs are delivered within specified tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk, and benefits. The Project Manager must create the Implementation Plan, utilize Project Initiation Documents, and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and respective roles and responsibilities of partners/stakeholders to ensure that project outputs meet the business cases for both UNOPS and its partners. The success of the project(s) and, consequently, the Project Manager will be based on defined Success Criteria. The Project Manager will also manage projects aimed at providing advisory services that contribute to achieving the objectives of partners, which may include grant management, strategy development, training delivery, or technical assistance. The complexity of these projects can vary, but high standards in quality, health, safety, and sustainability are always expected. Depending on the nature and configuration of the project, the Project Manager may be executing technical studies, reviews, designs, supervision, or operation and maintenance services for one or more physical infrastructure assets across multiple sites. Depending on the implementation modality, this may involve significant volumes of procurement of goods, services, and HR services. UNOPS operates in complex contexts where resources may be scarce, local capacity low, and where professional judgment and experience in these environments are of utmost importance.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Delivery and Performance: Develop, complete, and update the project execution plan. Implement the approved plan (including establishing milestones) within the tolerances set by the Project Board, including developing infrastructure designs and coordinating design reviews. Integrate sustainability dimensions—social and gender considerations, as well as environmental and economic aspects—throughout the project lifecycle. Manage the production of required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and resource use, initiating corrective actions when necessary. Ensure that the quality of work packages and deliverables meets the requirements defined in the execution plan. Coordinate with external suppliers or account managers to ensure quality and timely delivery of products. Manage the acceptance and delivery of work packages. Monitor project progress, control deviations (if any), and manage changes. Identify, anticipate, and advise senior management and the project board on risk mitigation measures to ensure that benefits for partners and other stakeholders are maximized. Identify and inform the supervisor of potential opportunities for UNOPS.
• Procedures: Comply with organizational policies and standards, ensuring that project information is kept up to date in project management systems. Understand and ensure compliance with applicable local laws and regulations, including international standards and technical standards where applicable. Prepare and adapt all relevant plans for approval by the project board and manage baselines. Manage reporting obligations defined in the execution plan and legal agreements. Maintain project documentation in an orderly manner to ensure accessibility and facilitate audits when necessary. Understand and apply UNOPS financial regulations and standards. Account for the use of delegated authority (where applicable) and ensure compliance with relevant ethical policies and standards. Conduct formal project handover to the closure manager when appropriate. Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation, and coordination, as well as follow-up on audit observations and recommendations.
• Monitoring and Reporting: Include a results framework and a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan in the project execution plan, with clearly defined indicators and agreed targets; ensure regular monitoring and follow-up of project results. Prepare and issue periodic reports, both technical and financial, according to reporting requirements of partners and UNOPS. Periodically review project status and assess performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality). Maintain logs and progress reports as stipulated in UNOPS standard operating procedures (SOPs). Provide routine oversight and analysis of execution data through dashboards. Ensure that all project team members regularly track and update milestones and targets throughout the project lifecycle.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans. Actively involve stakeholders, receive feedback, and make necessary adjustments. Establish strong working relationships with the project board (executives, primary users, and key suppliers), clients, and key stakeholders. Facilitate the formulation of project communication plans and monitor the effectiveness of project communications. Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective management of timing and interdependencies of messages. Ensure stakeholders are informed of activities, progress, and exceptions of the project, and are in a position to accept the delivery of final products.
• Quality Control: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure projects meet audit requirements. Work with procurement and purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with supplier quality systems. Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables. Conduct quality control of management products (e.g., project documents, reports, etc.).
• Knowledge Management and Innovation: Create a learning environment for the project team, fostering knowledge sharing and training to contribute to long-term capacity building. Actively interact with other project managers and the project management community at large, sharing case studies, lessons learned, and best practices. Stay updated with the latest developments and best practices in the profession, participating in training and personal learning activities to enhance competence and expertise. Ensure that lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Provide feedback to corporate practice groups on policies and systems as necessary. Provide feedback to functional groups on related policies and guidelines to support continuous improvement of UNOPS regulatory framework.
• Personnel Management: Organize and structure the project team, ensuring that roles and responsibilities are clearly defined. Provide periodic guidance and direction as necessary, and support the team in performing their tasks effectively. Lead and motivate the project management team, as well as manage their performance. Ensure that performance evaluations are conducted fairly, accurately, and timely. Select, hire, and train project teams as necessary, considering gender parity and diversity objectives. Ensure the safety and protection of all project personnel, in compliance with the standards of the United Nations Department of Safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (UNDSS).

Required Qualifications:
Required: A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or another relevant discipline, with 7 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or another relevant discipline with 5 years of relevant experience. Desirable: Certification in project management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMI, PEng, CEng, etc.). Completion of UNOPS PMM training, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective, and oneUNOPS Projects within three (3) months of joining UNOPS is a requirement.

Educational Background:
Required: A bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or another relevant discipline, with 7 years of relevant experience, or a master's degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Project Management, or another relevant discipline with 5 years of relevant experience. Desirable: Certification in project management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMI, PEng, CEng, etc.). Completion of UNOPS PMM training, UNOPS PMM Infra perspective, and oneUNOPS Projects within three (3) months of joining UNOPS is a requirement.

Experience:
Required: A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience (or 7 years if holding a bachelor's degree) in the implementation and/or management of infrastructure projects in at least one of the following areas: buildings, bridges, roads, energy, and/or solar energy. Experience in complex projects/programs is required. Desirable: Management of multidisciplinary teams. Experience in the public sector. Experience in sustainable procurement. Experience with the United Nations is an advantage.

Languages:
Mandatory: Native proficiency in Spanish. Required: Intermediate proficiency in English.

Additional Notes:
This is a short-term contract until December 31, 2026, with possibilities for renewal not exceeding 12 months, subject to good performance, financial availability, and organizational needs. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities. UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications, and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation. UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.