Project Management Office (PMO) - Senior Officer

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

On 24 February 2022, the military of the Russian Federation invaded Ukraine, with strikes across the territory of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s invasion imposes a severe humanitarian and socio-economic toll, global energy and food crisis, large-scale destruction of the country's infrastructure, and disruptions in the provision of critical services and degradation of social fabrics and communities’ ties, triggering one of the world’s most significant forced displacements.

Severe attacks on energy and critical infrastructure facilities leave millions of people without electricity, water or heating supply, struggling to access water, food, health services, materials to repair homes, among others. The continued attacks cause substantial damage to the country’s economy and agricultural production, and also affect the poorest countries worldwide.

UNOPS support to partners spans the humanitarian-development nexus from emergency response to building back better, across the housing, health, education, transport, energy and mine action sectors, through infrastructure, procurement and technical assistance / project management interventions, with the ultimate aim of supporting the country on its EU accession and in its achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The primary role of Project Management Office (PMO) - Senior Officer is to ensure projects in countries under the MCO comply with policies, processes and tools defined at Corporate and/or MCO level.

The Project Management Office (PMO) - Senior Officer will ensure that project management policies, processes and methods are consistently applied in accordance with the organization standards, while serving as a critical member of the PMO Unit that leads the overall Project Assurance capacity within UAMCO .

The Project Management Office (PMO) - Senior Officer will report to the Programme Management Office (PRMO) - Specialist. The position can be based in one of our three offices — Kyiv, Kharkiv, or Mykolaiv — depending on the selected candidate’s preference/location. Functional Responsibilities

The Project Management Office (PMO) - Senior Officer will, under the guidance of, and in cooperation with, UAMCO PRMO Specialist contribute to consistent implementation of the UNOPS project management method, standards and good practices across UAMCO’s portfolio.

Development and Planning

Provide appropriate levels of project management support during engagement development ensuring the implementation of appropriate standards, tools and best practices in line with UNOPS policies and procedures.

Ensure that proper project governance is put in place inline with the PMM, including timely establishment of Project Boards

Assist project planning ensuring that realistic timeline is established, covering DNP for Infra projects, with adequate floating time factored in

Follow up and ensure that handovers from Business Development team to Project team are carried out as per the Guide

Support the development of high-level PMO Unit plans

Set-up and closure

Support Project Managers in project setup in oneUNOPSprojects, including project classification, advancing projects to operational stage, and expenditure forecasts.

Monitor completion of project startup checklist by all new projects; and ensure proper project start ups in accordance with the PMM requirements.

Ensure projects timely develop detailed implementation plans including procurement and procurement plans; and if required GESI plans, HSSE plans…etc.

Monitor timely submission and implementation of closure plans by PMs

Ensure timely completion of project closure activities, including but not limited to tasks related to disposal of project assets, audits, evaluation…etc.

Ensure timely operational closure of projects - ensuring appropriate disposal of project assets, timely submission of narrative reports, updating information and/or uploading of documents in oneUNOPS Projects…

If assigned, act as Closure Manager and lead project closure activities.

Work closely with key stakeholders to ensure all projects are closed on time and in line with the organization’s policies.

Monitoring, Reporting and Delivery

Ensure regular review of project status against key performance criteria such as scope, cost, schedule and quality.

Develop standard tracking systems and tools to facilitate monitoring of project progress and performance.

Provide periodic analysis of delivery data and share it with the Project team and Management as appropriate

Ensure timely identification of potential risks and issues specific to delivery, and escalate and suggest mitigating measures to the PRMO Specialist.

Monitor timely submission of client reports, exception reports and internal reports

Support in tracking projects progress by ensuring that all projects submit status reports and regularly update specific milestones and targets for the duration of projects.

Stakeholder engagement

Ensure proper management of communications across programmes and projects; and with other functional units, when applicable

Contribute to development of stakeholder profiles and assist in development of external communications products

Follow up and ensure that projects develop and implement communication plans.

Ensure timely and effective dissemination of project information to key stakeholders.

Quality Assurance

Ensure compliance with UNOPS defined quality standards and processes across projects.

Support in providing quality control for management products (PIDs, project documents, reports, etc.)

Coordinate quarterly assurance process and other quality assurance initiatives.

Ensure projects implement guidelines, procedures, templates and propose new ways of working based on regular review of practices

Assist internal audit and ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

Knowledge management and innovation

Lead the design and delivery of capacity building initiatives, while focusing on UNOPS project management standards and requirements

In collaboration with PRMO Specialist, engage PMs and other personnel for identification and dissemination of lessons learned and best practices.

Monitor timely entry of lessons in oUP; ensure best practices and lessons learned are appropriately captured, documented, shared and integrated accordingly .

Ensure complete and up to date documentation are uploaded in oUP by all projects

Organize periodic lessons learnt workshops and disseminate learnings across the MCO
Impact of Results:

The PMO - Senior Officer directly impacts on achievement of project results by working with the PMO Specialist assisting the Head of Programme to implement effective project management methods and strategies, reduce risks, cut costs and improve success rates. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of the 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
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:

Contract type: Local ICA
Contract level: ICA Specialist 9
Contract duration: open-ended, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds. 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

This is a local position, it is therefore open to Nationals of Ukraine and to individuals who have a valid residence/work permit.

The position can be based in one of our three offices — Kyiv, Kharkiv, or Mykolaiv — depending on the selected candidate’s preference/location.
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. 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.