Senior Project Manager (Impact Health Project)
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Location:
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Salary:negotiable / YEAR
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Job type:FULL_TIME
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Posted:3 months ago
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Category:Health / Medical, Management and Strategy, Project Management
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Deadline:30/10/2024
JOB DESCRIPTION
Background on South East Asia and the Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO):
UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine EAPMCOs: EAPMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Mekong, and EAPMCO Philippines.
In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 76 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.
The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.
Local Context: UNOPS in Papua New Guinea
The EAPMCO Papua New Guinea (PNG) was formed in early 2020 to support the implementation of design and construction of infrastructure, sustainable procurement, capacity development to support technical and governance excellence, programme management, and to facilitate access to funding sources in Papua New Guinea.
As an established office since 2022, EAPMCO PNG is demonstrating significant growth and portfolio diversification potential in a short period of time. Working with an increasing number of development partners, in 2023 EAPMCO PNG is quickly being recognized as a responsive and quality partner in climate change resilient infrastructure, health infrastructure, sustainable procurement and governance support to the Government of PNG in its service delivery obligations to the people.
Project Background: IMPACT Health Project
The National Department of Health (NDOH) is responsible for improving access to and outcomes from health services in Papua New Guinea in accordance with the National Health Plan (NHP) 2011 – 2030. A key function of NDoH is the procurement, supply and distribution of pharmaceutical drugs and other medical supplies to all public hospitals, health centres and aid posts. Such supplies are grouped into two types, General Hospital Orders and Medical Kits. Significant problems remain in the delivery of medical supplies to health facilities at rural and provincial levels throughout the country. The strengthening of medical supplies procurement and distribution is a key result area of the National Health Plan.
Despite their important role in health service provision, NDOH have faced a number of challenges in effectively carrying out their functions and responsibilities, ranging from: (i) limited financial resources and budgetary constraints, which result in limited funds for procurement activities (ii) limited infrastructure, including storage facilities and transportation networks, which has limited procurement processes, due to delays in delivery, storage constraints (iii) NDOH lack sufficient skilled personnel with expertise in procurement, including market research, tendering, and contract management (iv) lengthy procurement cycles, and bureaucratic hurdles which have delayed the acquisition of medical equipment (v) limited capacity for quality assurance, inadequate technical specifications (vi) logistical challenges in transporting medical supplies to hard to reach locations (vii) Challenges in effective coordination and communication between PHAs and NDOH to successfully conclude procurement processes.
Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts to strengthen financial management, enhance infrastructure, build human resource capacity, streamline procurement processes, improve quality assurance mechanisms, and enhance coordination and communication among stakeholders.
The Role:
Reporting to the Senior Programme Manager from UNOPS and under the technical supervision of NDOH counterparts, the incumbent will be responsible for UNOPS programmatic, operational and technical backstopping through ensuring that projects outputs are delivered within the specific project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. The incumbent will establish, promote and assure quality in all the work performed by the team and for applying best practices and methodologies for the successful delivery of the program, with a focus on good financial management adhering to strict compliance guidelines and operational management of all project components.
Key activities of the assignment include::
- Carry out a capacity needs assessment and, based on the results, design, develop and implement a capacity development framework, including a professional development plan and learning materials for the Commercial Support Services Branch of NDOH and through NDOH for the PHAs
- Review existing systems and determine the governance requirements to achieve a robust system for planning and tracking NDOH procurement over the procurement life cycle with an emphasis on contract management and capacity development outcomes.
- Work with key stakeholders to assess the weaknesses in the governance structure of the current inventory management system and facilitate a plan to achieve agreed deliverables to demonstrate efficiencies in supply and distribution mechanisms
- Assist the NDOH’s Commercial Support Services Branch in its role as the Secretariat of the NDOH-led Special Procurement Committee, helping to set up the process for efficient preparation, undertaking and follow-up of the meetings; and
- Assist the NDOH with completing procurement oversight and good governance during Technical Evaluation processes and Committee Meetings.
- Provide surge support in procurement activities as required.
The incumbent will be based in the Commercial Support Services Division of the National Department of Health (NDOH) in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
Summary of functions:
- Project Delivery and Performance
- Procedures
- Monitoring and reporting
- Stakeholder engagement
- Quality assurance
- Knowledge management and innovation
- 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
- 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
- Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded
- 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 senior 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
- Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
- Regularly review project status, evaluating performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).
- Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by the organization’s standard procedures.
- Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.
- Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects’ life span
4. Stakeholder engagement
- Develop stakeholder profiles and facilitate the formulation of stakeholder engagement strategies
- Establish solid working relationships with the Project Board (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), client and key stakeholders
- Enable the formulation of project communications plans. Coordinate internal project communications. Monitor the effectiveness of project communications
- Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, exceptions and are in a position to accept handover outputs
5. 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 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
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- Lead and motivate the project management team
- Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established
- Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely
- Select, recruit and train team as required and taking 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, harassment, 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.
| 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:
- An Advanced University Degree is required, preferably in Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Medical Equipment Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Architecture, Health Service Planning, or related fields.
- A combination of a Bachelor’s Degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
Experience:
- A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in implementing and managing projects in the health sector (infrastructure and/or equipment and/or technical assistance) in combination with an Advanced degree is required.
- Experience in public sector procurement of goods, works, consulting services, and non-consulting services is an asset.
- Proven experience leading public sector reform, responsive supply chain management, and capacity development programs, especially in health service delivery is a strong asset.
- Demonstrated experience in managing people and change, adult learning in the workplace, and leading shared accountability for reform is a strong asset.
- Familiarity with procurement systems of multi-lateral development banks (e.g., World Bank) is expected.
- Good knowledge of private-sector procurement will be advantageous.
- Experience in public sector health service delivery supply chains is an asset.
- Experience in contract management is an asset.
- Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is an asset.
- Experience in planning and applying Health & Safety procedures is an asset.
- Experience in developing Procurement strategies is an asset.
- Experience in risk management for infrastructure implementation projects is an asset.
- Prior experience in program oversight including coordination with the relevant stakeholders is an advantage.
- Experience in writing reports, performing data analysis, and writing technical documents is an asset.
- Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is an asset.
- Prior experience working in international organizations, international development, post-disaster and/or emergency contexts would also be an advantage.
- Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is an asset.
- Experience in Southeast Asia and/ or Papua New Guinea is a strong asset.
- Experience working in multicultural teams is an asset.
- Experience in managing teams is an asset.
- Strong analytical capabilities with the ability to manage tasks associated with the development of projects is an asset.
- Knowledge of Google Suite applications is required.
- Experience using ERP systems is an added advantage.
Language Requirements:
- Full working knowledge (Fluency) of English is essential.
Certification:
- Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2, PMI, etc.) is an asset.
- Professional certification from an accredited institution ( PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset.
- Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
- Contract level: ICS 11 / IICA 3
- Contract duration: On-going contract 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
Disclaimer: If the selected candidate is a national of the duty station, a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued.
- 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.
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