UNESCO Construction project is under the implementation stage and the project duration is 27 months (15 months project duration and 12 months Defects Notification period).

The overall objective of the UNESCO Construction Project is to construct the office spaces and accommodation units for UNESCO in the Four Seasons Plot within the UNOCA compound, Kabul.

The main activities for the project are Design and Construction of 17 accommodation units of 833 Sq.m, 34 office units of 1176 Sq.m, and a parking lot accommodating 7 armoured vehicles. The Project Board Executive will direct the project on a quarterly basis; the Project Manager will manage it on an ongoing basis, while Team Managers complete their planned work packages and their deliverables. Project Board meetings will be held between UNESCO and UNOPS when necessary to update on the progress of the work during the implementation stage. The Project Team will be comprised of one international Project Manager and 2 National staff members - Project Support Assistant and Site Engineer.

AFOC is seeking the recruitment of a qualified Project Manager (PM) to be based in Kabul. The PM is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project and provides services to different donors, partners, and beneficiaries. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organization's performance and delivery goals.

  1. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The PM is responsible to produce/read the project initiation documents, Legal Agreement and have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders to ensure the project’s products are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and UNESCO. The PM is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle. S/he must be able to apply, with delegated autonomy, the below duties and responsibilities:

  1. Functional Responsibilities

  2. Stakeholder Management:

● Reporting to the Head of Programme (HOP), establish a solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users, and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders

● Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products

● Advise the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)

● Manage the information flows between the Project Board/AFOC Director and the project

  1. Delivery and Performance:

● Develop and maintain project plans

● Implement approved project plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board

● Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the project’s life cycle.

● Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary

● Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers

● Authorize Work Packages

● Advise the Project Board, AFOC Director and HOP of any deviations from the plan

● Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to client and stakeholders is achieved

● Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted

● Monitor and evaluate the performance of service providers

● Identify and report potential business opportunities for UNOPS to his/her supervisor

● Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to a supervisor

  1. Procedures:

● Follow the Project Management Cycle instructions and ensure all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions)

● Prepare/adapt the following plans for approval by the Project Board:

I. Project Initiation Documentation;

II. Stage/Exception Plans and relevant Product Descriptions

● Prepare the following reports:

i. Highlight Reports

ii. End-Stage Reports

iii. Operational Closure Checklist

iv. End Project Report

v. Handover Report

● Maintain the following:

i. Electronic Blue File;

ii. Procurement, HR and Finance files as required.

● Ensure all expenditures comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR).

● Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.

● Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project.

● Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel.

● Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).

● Where the PM has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.

D. Knowledge Management:

● Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice**

● Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices on the Knowledge System.

● Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

● Complete lessons learned as per reporting format.

● Incorporate lessons learned from others as per planning format.

E. Personnel Management:

● Lead and motivate the project management team.

● Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established.

● Ensure that performance reviews are conducted.

● Identify outstanding staff and bring them to the attention of the AFOC Director

● Have a thorough understanding of UNOPS personnel contract modalities (including ICA and Staff).

● Select, recruit and train the team as required by the project plan.

● Perform the Team Manager role, unless appointed to another person(s).

● Perform Project Support role, unless appointed to another person or corporate/programme function.

● Ensure safety and security for all personnel and comply with UNDSS standards.

F. Core Values and Principles:

● Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles**

I. Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management**

II. Seek opportunities to champion gender equality at the workplace**

III. Champion and communicate the project’s sustainability aspects with key stakeholders**

● Understand and Respect National ownership and capacity**

i. Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

ii. Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

iii. Look for ways to build the capacity of local counterparts

● Partnerships and Coordination: Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS, and the project’s place in the UN system

i. Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors

ii. Accountability for results and the use of resources

iii. The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency, and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue with a supervisor

● Excellence

i. Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

**
Additional Requirements**

  1. Monitoring and Progress Controls

Ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The PM is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the Business Case. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

** Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan Operations Centre (AFOC) supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support. Based in Kabul, AFOC has regional offices in several parts of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.

** Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

● Advanced University Degree in Project Management, Engineering, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant disciplines.

● University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, Project Management, Business Administration, International Relations, Political/Security/Development Studies, or other relevant disciplines, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

● PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification – Preferred

● Complete the UNOPS Project Management Foundation course (within one year after signing this TOR)**

● A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education.

Work Experience

● Five years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in project development and management, with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development, and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.

● The project manager should possess previous progressive experience in managing construction projects with knowledge of procurement processes.

● The Project Manager should have conducted, supervised, and managed Health & Safety, Social & Environmental (HSSE) issues and concerns, including its application as per the standards.

● Previous work experience with the UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies is preferred.

● Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is a distinct advantage.

This vacancy is archived.

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