Project Manager (Implementation)

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, established in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, focusing on fragile and conflict-affected settings. With a workforce of more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices in North, West, Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa, the office aims 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, and more. The office promotes excellence in project delivery, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement to contribute to sustainable infrastructure and better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager (Implementation) is tasked with the comprehensive planning, organization, and leadership of projects from initiation to closure. This role requires ensuring effective delivery and oversight of projects while implementing services in scope and contributing to the achievement of partners' goals and objectives. The Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board, ensuring that project outputs are delivered within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits. The incumbent must possess a deep understanding of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and control, while managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring compliance with the terms of the Legal Agreement. The Project Manager serves as the focal point for coordination with donors, partners, and beneficiaries, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager is responsible for developing, completing, and updating the project implementation plan, implementing the approved plan within tolerances set by the Project Board, and embedding sustainability dimensions into the project lifespan. They must manage the production of required outputs, ensuring compliance with quality requirements, and liaise with external suppliers to ensure timely delivery. The Project Manager monitors project progress, controls variances, and advises senior management on mitigating measures against project risks. They are also responsible for compliance with organizational policies, maintaining project documentation, and supporting project audit activities. Additionally, the Project Manager develops stakeholder engagement strategies, coordinates communications, and ensures quality assurance throughout the project lifecycle. They are expected to create a learning environment for the project team, encourage knowledge sharing, and manage personnel effectively, ensuring safety and security for all project personnel.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience. A project management certification from a globally recognized institute is desired, along with professional certification in a relevant technical area. Candidates should have relevant experience in implementing complex projects or programs, project planning, implementation, control, and knowledge of quality assurance methodologies. Experience managing project risks in a multi-stakeholder context is also required.

Educational Background:
A Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline is required, with a preference for candidates holding a Master’s degree (or equivalent). Candidates with project management certification from a recognized institute and professional certification in a relevant technical area are preferred.

Experience:
Candidates should have relevant experience in the implementation of complex projects or programs, including project planning, implementation, and control. Experience in managing project risks in a multi-stakeholder context is essential. Desired experience includes working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in developing countries, as well as experience in development or humanitarian contexts.

Languages:
Fluency in French is required, while proficiency in English is desirable. Candidates should be able to communicate effectively in both languages, with a strong emphasis on French as the primary working language.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as mid-level with a contract duration of 1 year. UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes and applications must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next stage of the selection process. UNOPS is committed to diversity and equal employment opportunity, encouraging applications from a wide range of nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds. Candidates requiring support or reasonable accommodation during the assessment process should inform the human resources team upon receiving an invitation. Background checks are conducted for all final candidates to ensure compliance with UNOPS standards.