Project Manager

Job Summary:

Wardak Prison houses approximately 300 inmates. The Department of State/International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (DoS/INL) approached UNOPS Afghanistan to discuss infrastructure improvement support for Wardak Prison. The Wardak Prison Rehabilitation Project will focus on life sustainment and security improvement.

UNOPS Afghanistan will improve the physical conditions of the Wardak Prison by addressing the deficiencies identified in the SIGAR report. The project outputs are:

Skills Required:

Requires travel to provinces:

Skills Description:

Please see main announcement for more details

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Appropriate detection systems for fire, heat and smoke installed and operational.
• Adequate lighting in place.
• Improved sewage system operational.
• Appropriate ventilation system functioning throughout the prison, as required.
• Electrical systems enhanced.
• Appropriate heating system operational.
• Fixtures certified as explosion/hazard proof.
• Improved and safe windows in place.
• Prison/cell doors certified at detention grade.
• Perimeter walls enhanced.

The project will follow the International Building Code (IBC), the Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC) and UNOPS Technical Guidance for Prison Planning, including the Revised Standard Minimum Rules of the Treatment of Prisoners (Nelson Mandela Rules) for delivering these outputs.

3. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

The PM will have a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners and stakeholders as described in the Project Initiation Document (PID) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The PM is responsible for all aspects of the project life cycle, accomplishing with some degree of autonomy, the duties and tasks listed below:

Stakeholder Management:

• Establish solid working relationship with the Project Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers.
• Manage communications and regularly and accurately inform stakeholders of project activities and progress.
• Quickly resolve any misunderstanding or confusion related to aspects of project delivery, finances or beneficiaries.
• Appraise the donor and stakeholders regarding sustainability and post project requirements such as maintenance and operations.

Delivery and Performance:

• Implement approved project plans within agreed tolerances.
• In designs, explicitly consider sustainability dimensions and appropriate technology suited to the capacity of the beneficiaries, particularly regarding simplicity of maintenance and operations.
• Ensure that designs receive a design certificate from IPMG.
• Ensure procurement of good and services in accordance with the UNOPS Procurement Manual and that the most appropriate solicitation method is used.   
• Manage contractors in accordance with the Procurement Manual and the Project Management Manual (PMM).
• Ensure contractors faithfully observe all environmental and social safeguarding requirements and that workplace safety provisions are stringently applied.
• Work closely with the QA/QC team implementing recommendations and guidance accordingly.
• Identify and report potential business opportunities.

Project Governance:

• Deliver the project according to the UNOPS Project Management Manual.  This will include submission of the quarterly project plan and quarterly cash flow forecast.
• Manage budgets and cash flow and ensure the timely payments to contractors and personnel.
• Be accountable for expenditures against the budget.
• Prepare for and present at the Project Quarterly Assurance.
• Complete quarterly donor reports.
• Act as Project Manager in the quarterly project boards.

Knowledge Management:

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice
• Actively interact with other PMs and the PM community sharing case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Complete lessons learned submissions in accordance with the PMM.
• Incorporate lessons learned from other projects and initiatives as is relevant.

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project team.
• Ensure the completion of performance in accordance with the annual performance cycle.
• Set goals and objectives for each team member and common goals and objectives for the team.
• Have a thorough understanding of the UNOPS contracting modalities particularly Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) and CTG.
• Select, recruit and train team members.
• Ensure safety and security for all personnel as directed by the Country Director and guidance from UNDSS.
• Provide mentoring and capacity building to team members, both in technical and administrative areas.
• Represent UNOPS in discussions, meetings and ceremonies ensuring that UNOPS strengths as a partner of choice are evident.

 Core Values and Principles:

• Understand and respect UNOPS sustainability principles

                               I.            Look for ways to embed UNOPS sustainability principles in day to day project management

                             II.            Seek opportunities to promote gender equality.

                           III.            Communicate projects’ sustainability aspects with key stakeholders

• Understand and incorporate national ownership and capacity

                                i.            Understand the principles of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and mainstream them into the project plans

                              ii.            Seek opportunities to recruit qualified local staff

                            iii.            Look for ways to build capacity of local counterparts

• Understand the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) and UNOPS place in the UN system

                                i.            Strive to build strong partnerships and effective coordination among relevant project actors (e.g. United Nations, governments, and non-governmental organizations or other relevant partners)

• Accountability for results and the use of resources

                                i.            The project management processes are designed to deliver maximum accountability, transparency and results. If a project or processes is not in line with this, it is the responsibility of the PM to raise the issue with a supervisor

• Excellence

                                i.            Contribute to innovation and the adaptation of best practice standards of sustainability and quality.

General: 

Ensure that the project produces the required products within the specified tolerance of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The PM is also responsible for the project producing a result capable of achieving the benefits defined in the guiding documents and as determined by the Project Board.

Job Location:

Qualifications:

• Advanced University Degree in a relevant technical discipline (Architecture, Civil Engineering, Water Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, etc.).
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• PRINCE2 Foundation (maybe be achieved within three months of commencing).
• A relevant combination of academic credentials and/or industry certifications and qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the university education. 

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