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Deputy Project Manager

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Deputy Project Manager

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Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Location: Freetown Sierra Leone

Grade: Junior level , LICA-9, Local Individual Contractors Agreement

Occupational Groups:

Managerial positions

Project and Programme Management

Closing Date: 2024-04-04

Job categories Project Management, Programme Management
Vacancy code VA/2024/B5317/27753
Department/office AFR, GHMCO, Sierra Leone
Duty station Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contract type Local ICA Specialist
Contract level LICA Specialist-9
Duration Open-ended
Application period 21-Mar-2024 to 04-Apr-2024
Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Functional Responsibilities

  1.  Summary of functions:
  2. Project Delivery and Performance

  3. Procedures 

  4. Monitoring and reporting

  5. Stakeholder engagement

  6. Quality assurance

  7. Knowledge management and innovation 

  8. Personnel management 

  1. Project Delivery and Performance 

  • Develop, complete and update implementation plan(s)

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

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

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

  • Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.

  • Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.

  • Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.

  • Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.

  • Control project and work packages changes.

  • Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers. 

  • Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.

  • Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.

  • Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.

  • Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS

        2. Procedures 

  • Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual

  • Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.

  • Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan

  • Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team. 

  • Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded

  • Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.

  • Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.

  • Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project

  • Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel

  • Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports)

  • Where the Deputy/Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.

  • For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager

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

        3. Monitoring and reporting

  • Ensure that the project(s) produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. 

  • The Deputy Project Manager is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits to the satisfaction of UNOPS and the Client. Contribute to the overall business targets and needs.

       4. Stakeholder engagement

  • In consultation with the Project Manager, establish solid working relationship with the project board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders

  • Manage communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products

  • Report and advise the Project Manager  and the client on issues that may impact the achievement of their outcomes (including issues of sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance)

        5. Risk Management, Oversight and Quality assurance

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

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

  • Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables

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

      6. Knowledge management and innovation

  • Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.

  • Actively interact with other Deputy/Project Managers and the wider PM community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices 

  • Contribute to the oversight of lessons learned procedures, ensuring that lessons learnt are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice

  • Research and logging of lessons learned throughout the project life span.

  • Provide feedback to Practice Groups on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies

        7. Personnel Management

  • Lead and motivate the project management team, if applicable

  • Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established 

  • Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely

  • Select, recruit and train the team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity objectives.

  • Ensure safety and security for all project personnel and comply with UNDSS standards

  • Create, foster and role model a culture of respect and zero tolerance for discrimination, abuse of authority, harassments, sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse. Ensure accountability for actions and perform duties in accordance with protection mechanisms and action plans, as expected by UNOPS policies, standards and commitments.

Impact of Results 

Deputy Project Manager directly impacts on achievement of project results by adhering to project management methods and strategies, reducing risks, cutting costs and improving success rates.  This 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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements


A.  Education

  • Advanced University Degree (Masters Degree) in Project Management, Procurement/ Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Construction engineering, Architecture, vertical infrastructure (buildings, etc.) or other relevant discipline is required.

  • A  Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

B. Work Experience 

  • A minimum of 2 years progressive experience in infrastructure is required;

  • Experience working in development sector is an added advantage;

  • Experience in a Project Management  role (incl. Team Leader, Lead Engineer, Technical Coordinator, Deputy PM or Acting) in the delivery of development projects is highly desirable;

  • Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary teams is desired;

  • Past experience involved in procurement of goods/services/ works is a distinct advantage;

  • Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage.

C. Language Requirement

  • Full working knowledge of English is required.

D. Certification

  • PRINCE2® Practitioner Certification is an asset. 

  • Managing Successful Project (MSP) Practitioner Certification is an asset.

Are you interested in this opportunity and want to land the job? We can help you with that!

OpenIGO has helped dozens of professionals from all around the world to kick-start their international careers with intergovernmental organizations. Our high-qualified team of professionals and human resources specialists have put together a series of products and services to help make your dream come true!

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