Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure)

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure)
Location: Copenhagen
Country: Denmark
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
UNOPS, or the United Nations Office for Project Services, is an operational arm of the United Nations that supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Established to help people build better lives and achieve sustainable development, UNOPS specializes in areas such as infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources. With a workforce of over 4,000 personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners, UNOPS operates in around 80 countries, promoting a balanced and diverse workforce that reflects a wide range of nationalities and cultures. The organization is committed to gender balance and encourages the recruitment of qualified female candidates, recognizing the importance of diversity in understanding and addressing partners' needs. UNOPS also values work-life harmonization, acknowledging the significance of balancing professional and personal demands for its employees.

Job Overview:
The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) plays a crucial role in addressing critical situations and projects, either remotely or in-person, as part of the Surge Mechanism at UNOPS. This position requires international mobility and a willingness to travel to various locations worldwide, including hardship areas. The Senior Project Manager is expected to engage in missions that may last several weeks, with an estimated 60% of their time spent on assignments each year. The role involves providing technical guidance and project management support to UNOPS field offices globally, particularly during surge assignments where rapid and temporary project management expertise is needed. The Project Manager will oversee projects of moderate to high complexity, focusing on stakeholder management, financial management, risk management, governance, resource management, and quality management. They will also advise on project management capacity and compliance challenges, tailoring mitigation approaches as necessary. It is important to note that the specific tasks and deliverables may vary for each surge assignment, as detailed in the terms of reference developed by the requesting office.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Project Delivery: Develop and update implementation plans, ensuring quality compliance with defined requirements. Manage project outputs and resources, initiating corrective actions as needed. Liaise with external suppliers and monitor project progress, managing changes and contract management duties.
• Technical Advisory: Provide substantive advice to Programme Managers and stakeholders on infrastructure project planning and implementation, including recovery strategies and risk management.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish strong working relationships with HQ and field office personnel, coordinating project communications and ensuring stakeholder awareness of project activities.
• Quality Assurance: Support project teams in ensuring the quality of project plans and compliance with audit requirements.
• Partnerships and Coordination: Understand the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, build partnerships, and coordinate project proposal development.
• Personnel Management: Lead and motivate the project management team, ensuring safety and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security for all personnel and fostering a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, Business Administration, or a related field. A Bachelor's degree combined with 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in Project and Programme Management and Operations support, with at least 2 years managing projects in an international development context. Proven technical leadership and expertise in project management are essential, along with desirable experience in UNOPS or other UN agencies, particularly in conflict or post-conflict environments.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an Advanced University degree (Master's or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, Project Management, or Business Administration. For candidates without a Master's degree, a Bachelor's degree combined with 2 years of relevant work experience is acceptable. Professional certifications in relevant disciplines are also preferred.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of experience in Project and Programme Management and Operations support, with at least 2 years of experience managing projects in the international development context. Candidates with prior experience in UNOPS or other UN agencies, particularly in the Global South or conflict/post-conflict environments, will be viewed favorably. Proven technical leadership and expertise in project management are critical for success in this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional official UN languages, such as French or Spanish, is highly desirable, as it enhances communication and collaboration in diverse international settings.

Additional Notes:
The contract type for this position is Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) at level I-ICA-2, with an open-ended duration subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The role requires significant travel to various locations worldwide, including hardship areas, with missions lasting several weeks up to a maximum of 3 months. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and equal employment opportunities, encouraging applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization also conducts background checks on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks.