Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) serves as the operational arm of the United Nations, dedicated to supporting the effective delivery of peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development initiatives worldwide. As a key resource within the UN system, UNOPS specializes in sustainable project management, procurement, and infrastructure services, working with a diverse array of partners including governments, international donors, and UN agencies.
With a workforce of more than 7,000 personnel operating in over 80 countries, UNOPS brings logistical, technical, and managerial expertise directly to the areas where it is most needed. At any given time, the organization is implementing approximately 1,000 projects, contributing tangible resultsโoften in some of the world's most complex and challenging contexts.
The Central Africa Multi-Country Office (CAMCO) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), oversees operations in 15 countries across Central Africa. This Multi-Country Office (MCO) manages an active project portfolio exceeding $500 million, with a strong focus on infrastructure. Over the years, it has built robust partnerships with international stakeholders, UN entities (including UN missions), and national governments across the region. The office delivers technical assistance and capacity building in key development sectors such as infrastructure rehabilitation and construction in health, education, public works, and governance. Its services also span procurement, project management, policy advisory, peace and security, and environmental sustainability.
The Infrastructure & Project Management Manager will join the UNOPS Programme/PMO team, providing expert guidance and support to infrastructure projects across the region. The role will report directly to the Head of Programme. Please note: This position will involve extensive field travel across the MCOโs area of responsibility.
Functional Responsibilities
Summary of functions:
General construction
Feasibility study/needs assessment
Design Management
Construction supervision
Project management
Knowledge management
1. General construction
Support infrastructure Project managers plan and coordinate work activities.
Review Bill of Quantities (BoQ) prior to procurement actions, when needed.
Support Project managers develop and monitor their respective Quality, Health and Safety, Environment plans.
Support the PMO and infrastructure Project managers provide data and information about project work for reporting purposes.
Provide monthly report to the HoP(Head of Programme)/PMO(Project Management Office) summarizing all project matters including quality, health and safety, environmental, as well as any issues relating to possible delays, cost overruns, variations and any other matter related to infrastructure projects.
2. Feasibility study/needs assessment
Support PMs complete needs assessment, organize preliminary studies and monitor/supervise consultants.
Support the review of requests for new construction and rehabilitation works.
Review assessments and reports with recommendations for follow up actions.
Assist the Project Manager in redacting the tender dossier, with particular focus to the technical documents (drawings, Bills of Quantity, technical specification and standards).
3. Design Management
Assist the Project managers to outline design requirements (e.g. timeline) to procure design services, including concept, preliminary and final stages where applicable.
Assist the Project managers to manage the design plan ensuring deliverables are available on time, and to the required quality.
Support all infrastructure Project managers with their design review submissions to HQ.
Assist the procurement team with technical assistance in preparation of tender documentation and bid analysis where required.
4. Construction supervision
Ensure all infrastructure projects quantity/quality control and time schedule consistency.
Verify that works are consistent with the project technical specifications and inform promptly of eventual deviations.
Support the overall management of works implementation to ensure construction works are completed on time, within budget and to quality standards.
Provide spot checks of supervision of the project work progress and quality for on time delivery.
Assist the Project manager in the preparation of project/contracts related documentations such as periodic progress reports, site monitoring reports, stakeholder meeting minutes, engineerโs instructions and variation orders, contractorโs bills review reports, certifications, client hand-over documents and contracts close-out reports.
5. Project management
Development and planning โ support Programme Management Office (PMO) team to provide appropriate levels of programmatic management to projects in CDMCO, regarding all ongoing project activities, while maintaining and implementing appropriate standards and best practices in line with UNOPS policies and procedures.
Set-up and closure โ support all project closure activities.
Monitoring and reporting - regularly review project status, quality , evaluating performance criteria.
Quality assurance - help ensure compliance with UNOPS defined standards for programme/project management.
6. Knowledge management
Assist in providing training and technology transfer to national personnel and contractorโs personnel and advice on good construction practices, good environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during construction.
Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Infrastructure & Project Management Manager directly impacts on achievement of the projects and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.
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. Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
A Masterโs degree in Civil Engineering or related field is required.
A combination of Bachelorโs degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
AutoCAD certification is desirable.
Project Management certification (for example PRINCE2ยฎ Foundation) is desirable.
Experience:
A minimum of 5 years of experience in civil engineering construction management is required.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in project management is required.
Work experience in post-conflict/ fragile environments is desirable.
Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable.
Language Requirements:
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)
Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement, IICA2 (ICS-10)
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA โ Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. 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.
This position is based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo which is a family duty station.
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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.