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Organization: United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)
Country: Kenya
City: Nairobi
Office: UNOPS East Africa Hub Nairobi
Closing date: Monday, 17 July 2023
Background information – AFR
Africa Region, Office of the Regional Director
The Office of the Regional Director for Africa, which is currently located in Copenhagen but will soon be relocated to Nairobi, leads a geographically defined portfolio of engagements, strategy and business development for the region, follows management of operations, and ensures appropriate risk management.
The Africa region (AFR) currently consists of five Multi-Country Offices located in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, Ethiopia, Ghana, and Kenya. These Multi-Country Offices cover all of the African continent, including Francophone, Anglophone and Lusophone countries. Currently the Africa Region (AFR) is implementing a wide range of infrastructure, procurement and transactional projects in over 40 countries.
Within UNOPS, the objectives of the Infrastructure and Project Management Group’s (IPMG) and Shared Service Centre’ (SSC) Project Management & Infrastructure (PMI) unit are to serve the organization’s personnel and partners by broadening their infrastructure and project management capabilities, while disseminating best-practices in both of these areas. Through this work, the two groups help facilitate the successful delivery of programmes and projects around the world. The incumbent will play a meaningful role working within the Africa Region (AFR) while working closely with IPMG and SSC’s PMI unit.
The incumbent will be responsible for providing technical advice and support in infrastructure and project management to the UNOPS offices across the Africa Region in line with the Regional Strategy.
This role will support the Africa region with quality assurance, support and advice regarding the implementation of infrastructure projects, and partnerships development. The incumbent will support the partnership’s development agenda in Africa through their expertise, regional contacts and ability to demonstrate a depth of experience in their field.
The Regional Infrastructure and Project Management Specialist will be a critical link between AFR and its operations in the field, as well as IPMG and SSC´s PMI unit. This position will report to the Regional Africa Director. The incumbent will be required to work in a collaborative manner, with colleagues at all levels across the organization.
Functional Responsibilities
Functional responsibilities: The Regional Infrastructure and Project Management Specialist will be responsible for representing all aspects of the practice within the Africa region as delegated by the Regional Africa Director. Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Partnerships Development Support
Support countries in addressing identified operational risk, review of potential infrastructure engagement as appropriate, and advice to the Multi-country Directors on risk identification and mitigations measures accordingly.
S/he will provide advice and support on new initiatives, with focus on quality assurance and quality control of project documents, costing and cost implications, implementation plans, achievements and benchmark indicators
S/he will advise and assist with technical input to proposals, including project planning, governance, and approach considerations
- Technical Advice & Quality Assurance
Provide technical advice and a quality assurance framework in relation to infrastructure projects
Provide advice to the preparation of technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, bidding documentation, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, construction planning and programming, and assessments of contractors’ technical capacity to deliver
Assessment of the quality of design and construction
Advising the UNOPS Country management teams regarding compliance with UNOPS Health and Safety and Environmental Management System
- Knowledge Sharing and Technical leadership
Ensure best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the region and within the organisation more generally
Conduct missions to and undertake assessments of Country Offices and projects to review and advise on quality and progress related issues, and highlight operational risks, within the region.
- Project Management Technical Advice and Implementation Support
The incumbent will provide substantive support to country offices in the planning and implementation of projects and programmes (particularly infrastructure related ones) throughout their whole life cycle within the region he/she is assigned
Advising the Country management Teams regarding design considerations and design review requirements, and being aware of the capacity and capabilities of the various in-house units across the regions
Support with the identification, engagement and management of local and regional consultancy firms providing these services
S/he will be responsible for providing advice to projects or programmes that may need to be brought back to stability
Provide advice to country offices on how to embed best practices of project and programme governance, risk management, project and programme management in their Country Offices.
Advise and provide expertise/support in the implementation of UNOPS Project and Programme Management methodologies, which are based on best practices as recommended by PMI and PRINCE2®
Play a crucial role in advising UNOPS Programme and Project Managers on measures to strengthen national capacity building with regards to sustainable project management best practices, as well as other cross cutting issues, and support a stronger focus on benefit management of projects
In coordination with IPMG and SSC’s PMI unit, the incumbent will assist countries in the development of work plans and provide tangible support, where relevant, in addressing risk mitigation measures identified through relevant corporate internal Assessments, follow-up on progress and and provide advisory support to field staff on UNOPS best practices, engagement risks, management models, and use of PM tools and systems
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent such as MEng, MASc) in Civil Engineering (CEng, PE, P. Eng.), Architecture, Construction Management or relevant field is required
A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent such as BEng, BASc) or professional certification in combination with 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree
Work Experience:
A minimum of 5 years’ progressive work experience in an Engineering and/or Construction Management role is required
A minimum of 2 years’ progressive work experience in Project Management is required
Experience dealing with government officials is required
Experience working in developing countries (especially Africa) in an international environment is highly desired
Experience working in and providing creative technical solutions for post-conflict and/or , post-disaster environments is an asset
Experience working on energy programmes (especially solar power), health infrastructure, water & sanitation and waste to energy is an asset
Certification:
Certification in a recognized project management methodology, e.g. PRINCE2® or PMP is required
Languages:
Fluency in English is required
Fluency in French is required
Education:
An Advanced University Degree or a Master’s Degree in Engineering, Planning, Architecture, or other areas of the built environment is required.
A first-level University degree or Bachelor’s or equivalent in a related field of study with 2 additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s Degree requirement.
Work Experience: Required:
A minimum of 2 years of experience in the built environment is required, and it is preferred to be applied to the development field.
At least 12 months of demonstrated experience in inclusive infrastructure is required.
Knowledge of Google Workspace, preferably Google Sheet, Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Drive, is required.
Asset:
Experience in research and publications.
Experience with interactive data analytics tools.
Experience managing the content and publication of a technical paper.
Experience working with a variety of institutions, including UN, government/public institutions, private sector, and/or research/academia in the field of the built, natural, and enabling environment.
Experience developing software-based tools.
Certification:
Certification related to Project Management is considered an asset.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required.
Fluency in French and/or Spanish is highly desirable.
Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above)
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA Contract level: ICA 2 (ICS-10) Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to satisfactory performance and funding available
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.
Website: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=26258
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