Project Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) was established in 2009 and operates in the Horn of Africa region, specifically managing a portfolio of engagements in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan, and South Sudan. The office focuses on providing services in Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR, Transactional Services, and Fund Management across various sectors including Health, Education, and Agriculture. The mission of HAMCO is to support countries and help people in need by delivering on its mandate of infrastructure and project management, thereby enabling partners to achieve their goals. The office has recently initiated several infrastructure projects in response to a growing demand for its services, particularly in 2023, and aims to support peace, recovery, and development agendas in the region.

Job Overview:
The Project Manager position at UNOPS is crucial for overseeing the day-to-day operations of various projects within the Horn of Africa. The incumbent will be responsible for managing project outputs to ensure they meet agreed specifications, timelines, costs, quality, scope, risks, and benefits. This role requires a proactive approach to leadership, as the Project Manager will act on behalf of the Project Board during the implementation stage, ensuring that all project activities align with the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The successful candidate will need to establish a comprehensive understanding of the terms and conditions of partnerships and stakeholders involved in the projects, ensuring that outputs meet the business cases for both UNOPS and its partners. The Project Manager will also be expected to lead teams effectively, deliver high-quality infrastructure works, and engage with partners to promote best practices and operational excellence.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Manager will be responsible for a wide range of duties including: developing and updating implementation plans, managing project progress and resources, ensuring quality compliance of deliverables, liaising with external suppliers, leading contract management duties, identifying potential risks and issues, and advising senior management on mitigating measures. The role also involves preparing and issuing regular project and financial reports, maintaining stakeholder engagement, ensuring compliance with audit requirements, and fostering a culture of knowledge management and innovation within the project team. Additionally, the Project Manager will lead and motivate the project management team, ensuring that performance reviews are conducted fairly and that team members are trained and supported in their roles. The position requires a strong focus on sustainability, social and gender inclusion, and effective communication with all stakeholders.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an Advanced University (Masters) Degree in Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline. Alternatively, a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field combined with an additional two years of relevant work experience may be accepted. Certification in Prince 2 Foundation or equivalent is advantageous, while Prince 2 Practitioner or equivalent is also preferred. The role requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in complex infrastructure projects, with at least one year of experience implementing international norms in Health and Safety. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of two years in a management role and demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary, multicultural teams.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include an Advanced University (Masters) Degree in a relevant technical discipline such as Engineering, Architecture, or Construction Management. In cases where candidates hold a Bachelor's Degree in a related field, they may still qualify if they have an additional two years of relevant work experience. This flexibility allows for a broader range of applicants while still ensuring that candidates have the necessary technical knowledge and skills for the role.

Experience:
The Project Manager role requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in managing complex infrastructure projects. Candidates should have at least one year of experience implementing health and safety standards and a minimum of two years in a management capacity. Experience leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams is essential, as is familiarity with the development sector and knowledge of procurement processes. Additional experience in managing projects with multiple construction sites and complex logistical arrangements is highly desirable, as is experience with environmental and social management plans.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory, as well as fluency in Amharic. A working knowledge of additional UN official languages is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse work environment.

Additional Notes:
This position is classified as a Local Individual Contractual Agreement (IICA) at the LICA-10 level, with an ongoing open-ended contract subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance. The role is specifically open to Ethiopian nationals only. UNOPS emphasizes diversity and encourages applications from qualified women and candidates from underrepresented groups. The organization also commits to providing reasonable accommodations for shortlisted candidates during the assessment process. All personnel are expected to adhere to UNOPS policies and demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Background checks are conducted on all potential personnel, and recruitment is contingent on the results of these checks.