Project Management and Infrastructure Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, established to oversee the delivery of impactful projects across the continent, operates in over 40 countries with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. The office is supported by a workforce of more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices, which span North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, as well as the Horn of Africa. The mission of UNOPS is to advance national priorities through strategic initiatives in various sectors including Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). By promoting excellence in project delivery and fostering knowledge sharing, UNOPS contributes to sustainable infrastructure and improved quality of life for communities across Africa.

Job Overview:
The Project Management and Infrastructure Manager plays a crucial role within the UNOPS Programme/PMO team, providing strategic guidance and technical oversight for all infrastructure projects implemented by various offices. This position is responsible for ensuring consistency, quality, and efficiency in project delivery, supporting project managers throughout the entire project lifecycle. The manager will advise and assist infrastructure project managers in planning, scheduling, and coordinating activities, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and project objectives. This includes reviewing and validating technical documentation such as Bills of Quantities, as well as enhancing project controls and risk management practices. A core responsibility of the role is to establish, monitor, and continuously improve Health and Safety, and Social and Environmental (HSSE) frameworks across projects, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and promoting best practices to enhance project performance and safeguard stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Head of Programme, the Infrastructure & Project Management Manager acts as a focal point for technical coordination, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the infrastructure portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Infrastructure Portfolio Oversight & Technical Leadership: Provide strategic oversight across the infrastructure portfolio to ensure consistency in project planning, design, implementation, and reporting. Establish and promote infrastructure project management standards, methodologies, and technical guidance in line with UNOPS policies and international best practices. Provide technical leadership and guidance to Infrastructure Project Managers on complex technical and project management matters. Review portfolio performance and identify systemic issues, recommending corrective actions and continuous improvement measures. Consolidate infrastructure portfolio information and provide strategic reporting to the Head of Programme and PMO on delivery performance, quality, risks, and emerging issues.
• Project Development & Technical Assurance: Provide technical oversight during project identification, needs assessments, and feasibility studies to ensure consistency with organizational standards. Review technical documentation prepared by project teams, including assessments, concept designs, and procurement documentation, ensuring completeness and quality. Provide technical advice on project development approaches, implementation strategies, and infrastructure planning. Support the standardization of technical documentation, templates, and guidance across infrastructure projects.
• Design & Procurement Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality assurance of infrastructure designs throughout the design lifecycle. Review key design deliverables to ensure compliance with applicable technical standards, client requirements, and UNOPS procedures. Provide technical support to procurement processes through review of technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, evaluation methodologies, and technical compliance, when required. Promote standardization of design review processes and technical documentation.
• Infrastructure Quality Assurance & Delivery Oversight: Monitor implementation of infrastructure projects through periodic technical reviews, site visits, and portfolio-level performance monitoring. Ensure appropriate quality assurance mechanisms are applied throughout project implementation. Monitor trends related to project quality, schedule performance, contract management, and implementation risks, escalating systemic issues where required. Advise Project Managers on corrective actions to improve delivery performance, quality standards, and compliance. Promote consistent application of construction quality management practices across all infrastructure projects.
• Project Management Frameworks & Performance: Strengthen project management practices across the infrastructure portfolio by promoting standardized methodologies, tools, and reporting mechanisms. Monitor compliance with UNOPS project management standards throughout the project lifecycle. Review project performance indicators and recommend improvements to planning, scheduling, etc. Support project initiation and closure processes by ensuring consistency with organizational requirements. Contribute to the continuous improvement of project management systems, procedures, and lessons learned.
• Health, Safety, Social & Environment (HSSE): Serve as the Multi-Country Office focal point for Health, Safety, Social and Environment matters relating to infrastructure projects liaising with Regional Office and HQ. Promote implementation of the GoalZero approach and strengthen organizational awareness of health and safety responsibilities. Monitor implementation of HSSE requirements across the infrastructure portfolio through periodic reviews and compliance monitoring. Advise Project Managers on the implementation of HSSE management plans. Promote continuous improvement of HSSE practices, standards, and organizational learning.
• Portfolio Risk Management & Compliance: Provide oversight of infrastructure project risks across the portfolio and promote consistent application of risk management methodologies. Monitor strategic, operational, and technical risks and ensure appropriate mitigation measures are identified and tracked. Promote compliance with UNOPS policies, technical standards, and project management frameworks. Support the integration of lessons learned and risk information into future programme and project planning. Contribute to strengthening governance, accountability, and quality assurance across the infrastructure portfolio.
• Capacity Development & Knowledge Management: Mentor and coach Infrastructure Project Managers and project personnel to strengthen technical and project management capacity. Develop and promote guidance materials, technical notes, and best practice documentation for infrastructure delivery. Facilitate knowledge sharing and lessons learned across infrastructure and support teams. Support continuous professional development through training, coaching, and technical workshops. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and consistent application of organizational standards.

Required Qualifications:
Required: A Master’s degree in 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. Required: A minimum of 5 years of experience in civil engineering or construction management is required. A minimum of 3 years of experience in project management is required. Desired: Work experience in post-conflict/fragile environments. Experience in providing advice and oversight. Some experience in UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.

Educational Background:
A Master’s degree in Engineering or a related field is required. Alternatively, 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.

Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience in civil engineering or construction management is required. Additionally, a minimum of 3 years of experience in project management is required. Desired experience includes work in post-conflict or fragile environments, providing advice and oversight, and some experience within UN system organizations or in a developing country context.

Languages:
Fluent proficiency in French and English is required for this position. These language skills are essential for effective communication and collaboration within the diverse teams and stakeholders involved in the projects.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified at a mid-level seniority, specifically at ICS Level 10, under an ongoing contract type (ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular). The contract level is LICA 1

• The posting start date is August 18, 2026, and the end date for applications is September 1, 202
• UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from a wide range of nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with these standards.