Project Manager (Transactional)

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UNOPS, which stands for the United Nations Office for Project Services. Established to support the implementation of sustainable development solutions, UNOPS operates in over 80 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on delivering projects that enhance infrastructure, health, and procurement services, ensuring operational excellence and alignment with the United Nations' goals. UNOPS is committed to fostering partnerships and maximizing impact through its various operational units, which include regional offices and multi-country offices that cater to specific geographic areas. The Asia Pacific Regional Office, for instance, oversees operations across 17 countries, including Sri Lanka, and emphasizes high performance and strategic leadership in project delivery.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager (Transactional) role is pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery and oversight of projects that provide essential transactional services, such as human resources, procurement, and grants management. This position requires the individual to act as the primary liaison between UNOPS and its partners, donors, and beneficiaries, ensuring that all project outputs align with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards. The Project Manager is responsible for developing and implementing project plans, managing resources, and ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards. This role also involves embedding sustainability considerations into project lifecycles and managing stakeholder engagement to foster collaboration and communication throughout the project duration.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Project Manager (Transactional) include:

• Developing, completing, and updating the project implementation plan, ensuring that milestones are established and adhered to.
• Managing the production of required outputs and taking responsibility for overall project progress and resource utilization, initiating corrective actions as necessary.
• Ensuring compliance with quality requirements defined in the implementation plan and liaising with external suppliers to guarantee timely delivery of outputs.
• Monitoring project progress, controlling variances, and managing changes effectively.
• Identifying potential risks and advising senior management on mitigation measures to maximize benefits for partners and stakeholders.
• Maintaining project documentation for accessibility and audit support, and ensuring adherence to local laws and international standards.
• Preparing regular project and financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements, and ensuring that all project team members track milestones and targets.
• Developing stakeholder engagement strategies and communication plans, actively engaging stakeholders and adjusting plans as necessary.
• Leading and motivating the project management team, ensuring clearly defined roles and responsibilities, and conducting performance reviews. 1
• Ensuring safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security for all project personnel in compliance with UN standards.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Project Manager (Transactional) position include:

• A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 2 years of relevant experience.
• A globally recognized professional certificate in project management (e.g., PRINCE2, PMI) is desired but not mandatory.
• Relevant experience in project management specific to HR processes, financial management, grants management, or procurement is essential.
• Knowledge of quality standards and assurance methodologies is required, along with experience in project coordination and operations management.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline, with a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with at least 2 years of relevant experience. A globally recognized professional certification in project management, such as PRINCE2 or PMI, is preferred but not required. This educational background ensures that candidates have the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to manage complex projects effectively.

Experience:
The position requires relevant experience in project management, particularly in areas such as HR processes, financial management, grants management, and procurement. Candidates should have a proven track record in project coordination and operations management, with knowledge of quality standards and assurance methodologies. Experience working in multicultural environments or within UN system organizations in developing countries is desirable, as is experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, while proficiency in Sinhala and Tamil is desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in English, as it is the primary language of operation within UNOPS. Knowledge of Sinhala and Tamil will be beneficial for engaging with local stakeholders and communities in Sri Lanka.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level, with an ICS level of 09, and is offered under an ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular contract type. The contract is ongoing, and candidates should be aware that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. Applications must be submitted before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further assessments. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including women, indigenous and racialized communities, and persons with disabilities. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with UNOPS standards.