Job Title: Regional Practice Advisor Â- Physical Infrastructure and Project at United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Johannesburg
Management, Johannesburg
Background Information - UNOPS
“UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations. I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”
Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General
UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.
Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, UNOPS vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.
By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.
UNOPS employs more than 6000 personnel and on behalf of its partners creates thousands more work opportunities in local communities. With its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark, a network of five regional offices and a further 20 operations and project centres, UNOPS oversees activities in more than 80 countries.
UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.
Background information - AFO
Africa Regional Office
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa, the Africa Regional Office supports UNOPS country offices in the region, providing financial oversight of projects, procuring goods and services and managing human resources.
AFO helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.
Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services is the central resource for the United Nations system in civil works and physical infrastructure development. In 2010, UNOPS delivered almost $0.5bn of infrastructure works globally.
Infrastructure works ranged from small-scale, community based initiatives to multi-million dollar construction programmes and included roads, bridges, ports, airports, schools, hospitals, police stations, prisons, power stations, water and sewerage systems, court houses, emergency shelters, relief camp facilities and more.
Located in Johannesburg, South Africa, Africa Regional Office (AFO) supports operations in the region with project management, quality assurance, governance, and financial oversight of projects, procurement of goods, services and works and management of human resources. AFO supports UNOPS Operation Centres in South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya, and also Project Centres in Cote d’Ivoire, Senegal and Sudan,
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Director AFO, the Regional Practice Advisor - Physical Infrastructure and Project Management (RPA-PI/PM) will perform a dual role focusing on maximizing value to clients, and limiting exposure to risks by providing support and guidance on best practice in physical infrastructure and project management. The incumbent will have a secondary reporting line to the Global Practice Lead – Physical Infrastructure (GPL- PI) and the Global Practice Lead – Project Management (GPL – PM) . Specifically, the RPA-PI/PM will provide advice, guidance and support to the Regional Practice Group (RPG), Regional Operations Group (ROG), Operations Centres (OC), Project Centres (PC) and Johannesburg Cluster.
The RPA-PI/PM will work in close collaboration with the Management and Implementation Support Practices, Programme/Project Managers and operational personnel in the various units across the Region and shall serve as liaison between the Regional Office, OC/PC/Cluster(s) and the Physical Infrastructure Practice and Project Management Practice in HQ. .
S/he will be expected to contribute to the Physical Infrastructure Practice and Project Management Practice from the regional level, capturing best practice, liaising with and developing policy recommendations with the Practice Leads, and contributing to the PI and PM Community of Practice and the Knowledge Management.
The RPA-PI/PM will be responsible to support adoption of Regional Offices (ROs), Operations Centers (OCs) and Project Centers (PCs), in UNOPS physical infrastructure and project management methodology, standards, frameworks and systems, as well as providing induction training for new Project Managers to enhance the administration and implementation capacities of the various units.
Functional Responsibilities
I - Technical Advice and Quality
The RPA PI/PM will be responsible for providing advice and a quality assurance framework within UNOPS Physical Infrastructure practice
He/she will the regional technical advisor and focal point for the implementation of Physical Infrastructure
He/she will be expected to advice in detail on technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, bidding documentation, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, construction planning and programming and assessment of contractors’ technical capacity to deliver
The RPA PI/PM will provide advice in support of UNOPS engagements in Physical Infrastructure and should expect to make assessment missions at short notice when required to any of UNOPS areas of operationsUNOPS is fully committed to the Paris Agenda on national capacity building and the RPA PI/PM will play a crucial role in advising UNOPS Project Managers on measures to strengthen national capacity building with a focus on implementation capacity
II - Advisory Services Knowledge Management and Capacity Building
Advise project staff on the application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practice.
Provide expertise and support in implementation of, PI standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, OH&S, Prince2, UNOPS PM methodology etc.;
Facilitate continuous improvement and quality management through monitoring and prioritizing improvement opportunities;
Communicate physical infrastructure and project management practice decisions and community updates;
Enable functional alignment through networking with other Practices.
Contribute to development of guidance material and tools, and document best practice;
Identify opportunities for optimizing interfaces with users, partners and clients;
Contribute to design and implementation of internal certification schemes;
Be a surge capacity for special initiatives of the Practice Leads;
Advise on preparation of plans for projects and OC/PC/Clusters;
Provide advisory support to the Deputy Regional Director, OC Directors, PC Managers and Portfolio Managers on UNOPS physical infrastructure standards, procurement planning, contract modality selection and management; UNOPS business case, engagement risks, management models, selecting the appropriate methodology for a given engagement and managing start up and closure, 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.;
III - Support and development services
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, OC/PC/Cluster(s) to assist in project development/ negotiations with PIP’s and clients where and when requested;
Work with PIP’s and P/TM’s 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 advise on effective use and delivery of Direct Support Costs, and of resources against the Administrative Budget
IV - Physical Infrastructure and Project Management and Practices Support
Serve as focal point for corporate instructions that impact the PI and PM practitioners. Liaising with corporate on approaches and clarifying best practice;
Actively coordinate and contribute to the Physical Infrastructure Practice and Project Management Practice by capturing case studies, best practice and client profiles;
Contribute to the COPs, 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.
V - Organizational Work Ethics
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 clients at appropriate levels to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.
Competencies
Demonstrated extensive experience in the construction industry in the management of both large and small scale infrastructure projects
Demonstrated ability to apply business acumen and UNOPS project management methodology toward projects that align and support regional and corporate strategies;
Ability to recognize potential implementation requirements and support OC/PC/Cluster(s) and PM’s to capitalize on these;
Capacity for persuasive communication, consensus building and obtaining commitments from clients/partners and UNOPS personnel;
Ability to train and develop staff;
Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationship with subordinates and peers to achieve common goals;
Familiarity with UNOPS physical infrastructure, project management, , 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
Education
Advanced University degree or technical certification/license in an infrastructure related field such as engineering, architecture, construction management or similar. A first-level university degree in combination with significant and relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Certifications
Certified in recognized project management methodology, preferably in Prince2 or PMP Knowledge of progamme management methodology (e.g. MSP) is desirable
Experience
At least 7 years progressively responsible technical experience in project development and management and physical infrastructure, in either public or private sector organizations at an international level.
Minimum 3 years field experience implementing projects and support in developing or conflict/post-conflict countries Prior experience with the UN is highly desirable
Languages
Fluency in English and French is essential; knowledge of another UN language, is an asset Strong writing skills
Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: Fixed Term Appointment (Rotational)
Contract level: P4
Contract duration: One year renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and funding availability
To Apply:
For more details about United Nations staff contracts, please follow this link:
http://www.unops.org/english/whoweneed/contract-types/Pages/United-Nations-staff-contracts.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.
UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below 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.
Deadline: 31st August 2012
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