ACBAR

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

The VA is open for both NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL Applicants.

Role Purpose

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager (SPM), the Deputy Project Manager (DPM) is responsible for supporting the overall execution of the project, acting as second-in-command, and ensuring the smooth delivery of all project components. Key responsibilities include supporting infrastructure delivery and procurement processes, coordinating the project team, facilitating stakeholder communication, and overseeing the implementation of assigned project activities.

The DPM plays a key role in planning, organizing, and leading the project through all stages—from initiation to closure. The incumbent ensures effective delivery and oversight of project activities within the defined scope, contributing to the achievement of partners’ goals and objectives. 

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of project planning, implementation, monitoring, and control, while effectively managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring delivery in line with the terms of the Legal Agreement. When delegated by the Senior Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager serves as the focal point for coordination with donors, partners and beneficiaries, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards.

Functions / Key Results Expected

Under the direct supervision, guidance and direction of the SPM, the DPM shall:

1. Project Delivery and Performance

• Develop, complete and update the project implementation plan.

• Implement the approved plan (including establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.

• Embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender considerations, and environmental and economic aspects, into the  project life span

• Manage the production of required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources while initiating corrective action where necessary.

• Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables comply with the quality requirements defined in the implementation plan.

• Liaise with external suppliers or account managers to ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs.

• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.

• Monitor project progress, control project variances (if any), and manage changes.

• Identify, anticipate and advise senior management and the project board on mitigating measures against project risks to ensure that benefits to partners and other stakeholders are maximized.

• Advocate and promote UNOPS service offerings, identify and report potential growth opportunities for UNOPS. 

2. Procedures

• Comply with the organization’s policies and standards, and ensure project information is kept updated in project management systems.

• Be aware of applicable local laws and regulations, and ensure adherence. This includes international regulations and standards, where applicable, as well as technical standards.

• Prepare and adapt all relevant plans for approval by the project board, and manage baselines

• Manage the reporting obligations defined in the implementation plan and legal agreements.

• Maintain project documentation in an orderly manner for accessibility and audit support when needed.

• Understand and apply the UNOPS financial rules and regulations. Be accountable for the use of delegation of authority (where applicable) and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards of ethics.

• Provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager when applicable.

• Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during audits and follow-up on audit observations/ recommendations.

3. Monitoring and Reporting

• Include a results framework and M&E plan in the project implementation plan with clearly defined indicators and agreed targets, ensure regular monitoring and tracking of project results.

• Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

• Regularly review project status and evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality)

• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard operating procedures.

• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.

• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of the project life span.

4. Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans. Actively engage stakeholders, take feedback, and adjust as necessary. 

• Establish solid working relationships with the project board (executive, senior users and senior suppliers); clients; and key stakeholders.

• Enable formulation of project communication plans and monitor effectiveness of project communications.

• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions, and are in a position to accept handover outputs.

5. Quality Assurance

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

• Work with procurement/ purchasing personnel to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems.

• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables. 

• Provide quality control for management outputs (e.g. project documents, reports, etc).

6. Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Create a learning environment for the project team, encourage knowledge sharing and training to contribute to longer-term capacity building.

• Actively interact with other project managers and the wider project management (PM) community, share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

• Stay abreast with latest updates and good practices of the profession, participate in training and learning activities for self to advance proficiency and competency.

• Ensure lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. 

• Provide feedback to corporate practice groups on policy and systems, when needed.

• Provide feedback to functional groups  on policies and related guidance to support the continuous improvement of UNOPS policy framework

7. Personnel Management

• Organise and structure the project team, ensure clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Provide regular guidance and direction, as needed, and support the team in effectively performing their tasks. 

• Lead and motivate the project management team, and manage performance.

• Ensure performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately, and on time.

• Select, recruit, and train project teams as required, taking gender parity and diversity objectives into account.

• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel in compliance with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) standards.

Skills

Project Coordination, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Quality Assurance, Reporting, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Relevant experience is work in the implementation of complex projects/ programmes, or related areas.

• Experience in project planning, implementation, and control, including project communication and reporting is required.

• Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is required.

• Experience of managing project risks in a multi-stakeholder context is required.

Desired

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

• Experience in Government of Japan/JICA funded projects is desired.

• Experience in infrastructure projects is desired.

• Experience in procurement projects is desired.

Language Requirements

Language            Proficiency Level             Requirement

  English                 Fluent                              Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Deputy-Project-Manager/1250    

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/Deputy-Project-Manager/1250