Project Management Practice Advisor, SPMPG, Denmark

Εργασιακά Θέματα

Closing date: Sunday, 29 March 2015

Vacancy code VA/2015/B0059/7031

Position title Project Management Practice Advisor

Level ICS-11

Department/office Sustainable Project Management

Duty station SPMPG, Denmark

Contract type International ICA

Contract level IICA-3

Duration 1 year

Application period 09-Mar-2015 to 30-Mar-2015

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Within these three core areas of expertise, UNOPS provides its partners with advisory, implementation and transactional services, with projects ranging from building schools and hospitals, to procuring goods and services and training local personnel. UNOPS works closely with governments and communities to ensure increased economic, social and environmental sustainability for the projects we support, with a focus on developing national capacity.

Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices in development, humanitarian and peacebuilding contexts, always satisfying or surpassing partner expectations.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peace building, humanitarian and development operations.

As a member of the Sustainable Project Management Practice Group (SPMPG); our aim is to develop Projects and programmes which comply with strict criteria concerning environmental, social scope and planned results before initiation. We want to do this by ensuring our teams are embedded in cross-cutting initiatives which gain strong community support in the project planning and implementation phases.

Functional Responsibilities

The Sustainable Project Management Practice Group (PMPG) leads the organizations project management centre. The.The selected candidate will be responsible for the following functions:

  • Providing strategic direction and enhance professionalization and success in project delivery through improved project management policies and processes and implementation, provision of expert corporate advice and guidance and strengthening the knowledge, skills and competencies of a cadre of project management practitioners.
  • Establishing UNOPS leadership and credibility in project management through delivery of cutting edge knowledge, innovation and best practices in project management to clients and partners.
  • Supporting opportunities for project management services for partners and clients and appropriate resources for service delivery.
  • The PM Practice Advisor will be essential to developing and maintaining Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management Methodology, tools, techniques that directly and concretely improve the ability of project managers and teams to deliver projects that have more impact with thesame amount of funds.
  • The Practice Advisor will work in close collaboration with the Management and Delivery Practices, Programme/Project Managers and operational personnel in the various unitsacross UNOPS and liaise with Regional Office, OC/PC/Cluster(s).
  • S/he will be expected to contribute to the Project Management by capturing best practice, liaising with and developing policy recommendations with the Management and Delivery Practice Leads, supporting information technology improvements to relevant UNOPS Corporate ITsystems and contributing to the PM Community of Practice and the Knowledge Management.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

Advisory Services Capacity Building, Training, Knowledge Management

  • Advise project staff on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practice.
  • Provide expertise and support in implementation of PRINCE2, UNOPS PM methodology, Project Implementation standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, OH&S etc.;
  • Provide training and internal consulting in project and programme management;
  • Contribute to development of guidance material and tools, and document best practice;
  • Be a surge capacity for special initiatives of the Project Management Practice;
  • Advise on preparation of plans for projects and OH/OC/PC/Clusters;
  • Provide advisory support to the Regional Offices, OH/OC Directors, PC Managers and Portfolio Managers on UNOPS business case, engagement risks, management models, selecting the appropriate methodology for a given engagement and managing start up and closure, UNOPS physical infrastructure standards, procurement planning, contract modality selection and management etc.;
  • Provide advisory support to Project/Team Managers (P/TM) on templates and tools, engagement formulation, approval and closure with focus on risks, management oversight, budget/finance, costing, etc.;

Support to Projects

  • Where required provide support to Developers/ Programme /Project/ Team Managers in the preparation of work plans, project documents, project proposals;
  • Be prepared to travel to other regions, OH/OC/PC/Cluster(s) to assist in project development/ negotiations with Project Implementing Partners and clients where and when requested;
  • Work with Project Personnel to establish measurable long/short term targets and monitor progress to measure performance;
  • In close consultation and coordination with the Regional and Deputy Regional Director, OC Directors, Project Center Managers and Portfolio Managers advise on effective use and delivery of Direct Support Costs, and of resources against the Administrative Budget;

Project Management Practice Support

  • Actively coordinate and contribute to the Project Management Practice by capturing case studies, best practice and client profiles;
  • Contribute to the community of practice, make recommendations on policy and tools to the Practice Leads;
  • Provide necessary advice and support during the 'formulation phase' of new initiatives with focus on quality assurance and quality control of project documents,
  • Costing and cost implications, implementation plan, milestones and benchmark indicators and adherence to UNOPS project approval processes and procedures;
  • Support quality development and institutionalization of all project documentation;
  • Support Developers, OC/PC/Cluster(s) to focus on maximizing value for clients while negotiating the most cost-effective and mutually beneficial terms for UNOPS services by providing institutional knowledge of fees and project services with clients;
  • Undertake missions to project implementation facilities to report progress and identify and solve operational problems;

Organizational Work Ethics and Culture;

  • Model leadership behavior of professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness;
  • Provide verbal and written periodic reports where required across a range of activities;
  • Actively interact with internal partners at appropriate levels to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.     

 

Competencies

  • Integrity
  • Professionalism
  • Respect for Diversity
  • Ability to train and develop staff;
  • Ability to develop practical tools for project managers
  • Ability to develop and roll out project management processes and principles that will make a difference in day to day implementation of projects
  • Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationship with subordinates and peers to achieve common goals;
  • Familiarity with UNOPS project management, physical infrastructure, procurement, HR and finance policies and procedures will be considered advantageous;
  • Excellent communications skills and computer literacy;
  • Ability to effectively manage and work in a multicultural environment;
  • Strong analytical and planning skills, ability to build a positive and strong team spirit with staff. Results focused, with the energy and ability to manage multiple competing priorities
  • Ability to translate corporate goals into actionable plans and specific strategies
  • Ability to promote integrity, sensitivity and empathy, as well as managerial courage
  • Highly respected by colleagues as well as partners as a fair and transparent individual.
  • Ability to understand, apply and lead by example in applying UN values and culture
  • Active listener and good communicator within a diverse working environment.
  • Good understanding of operational work, particularly at the field level.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

  • An advanced university degree in project management, business administration, public administration, economics, engineering or other related field is required (Masters Degree or equivalent) is required.
  • A first level university degree (Bachelors Degree or equivalent) in related field with an additional 2 years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree;

Experience:

  • Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience is required;
  • Experience in post-conflict project management is an asset;
  • Experience in the implementation and/or operation of Enterprise Project Management solutions is and advantage;
  • Experience in the implementation and/or operation Portfolio, Programme, or Project Management Office is advantage;
  • Experience in Infrastructure, Construction management is considered an advantage;
  • Background in Engineering is an advantage;
  • Experience in UN highly desired;

Language requirements:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
  • Proficient in French or Spanish is an asset.

Certifications

  • Certification in PRINCE2 Practitioner or PMP is required;
  • Certification in MSP and P3O would be an asset.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement

Contract level: I-ICA3

Contract duration: 1 year, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For staff positions UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.

Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Application Information: https://gprs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=7031

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