Job Detail

Under the direct supervision of and in consultation with the Senior Programme Manager (SPM), the Deputy Project Manager (DPM) will contribute to ensuring that the project is performing at highest quality in all aspects and meeting the agreed standards, achieving the project objectives and are in compliance with UNOPS internal project management systems, procedures and requirements. The DPM will be heading the project technical team, responsible to oversee all technical issues, act as a reference person for any engineering issues and provide recommendations to enable the SPM to take relevant decisions. The main responsibility of the DPM is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s and project performance and delivery goals.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager is responsible for supporting the preparation, updating and implementation of the Project Plan and quarterly plans, using the Project Initiation Document (PID), Legal Agreements and having a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners and stakeholders, to ensure the project outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). 

Local Context: With more than 20 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office supports emergency humanitarian interventions as well as national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with works, goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support.  Based in Kabul, UNOPS Afghanistan has regional offices in most parts of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including community resilience and livelihoods, infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law. 

Project Information: Since 2008, the Government of Afghanistan has stressed the need for airport systems to comply with the Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). In 2020, UNOPS was mandated by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the design and construction of an Air Navigation Service (ANS) building and a control tower at the Kabul International Airport. The project aims to support air traffic management, safety and control, facilitating an overall increase of air traffic into and out of Afghanistan, in full alignment with ICAO standards and safety requirements.

The JICA VII Project is seeking the recruitment of a qualified Afghan candidate for the post of Deputy Project Manager (DPM) to be based in Kabul and reporting to the Senior Programme Manager.  The DPM will be part of a Project Team whose members include a Structural Engineer, Quality Engineer, Civil Engineer, Construction Management Engineer, Health and Safety Officer and Community Liaison Officer.  A Project Management Support Officer is assigned to the Project Management Office inside UNOCA Compound and the project work site is located inside the Kabul International Airport compound.  The DPM is expected to be on the site on a regular basis to ensure a smooth and safe implementation of works.

 Functional Responsibilities

Summary of functions:

• Project Delivery and Performance

• Procedures 

• Monitoring and reporting

• Stakeholder engagement

• Quality assurance

• Knowledge management and innovation 

• Personnel management

Under the direct supervision, guidance and direction of the Senior Programme Manager (SPM), the DPM shall:

• Develop, complete and update implementation of Project plan(s)  and quarterly plans

• Implement the approved plans (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Senior Management/Project Board; 

• Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into the 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 Project Plan;

• Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers;

• Advise the Senior Programme Manager of any possible deviations from the plan and possible corrective actions;

• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages;

• Manage the invoicing and progress verification of works, payments certification, procurement, managing construction companies, construction sites and dealing with Government authorities and other stakeholders. 

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

• Control project and work packages changes;

• Accept works, goods or services delivered by suppliers;

• Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluations;

• Support the development and implementation of systems for internal control that ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, in collaboration with the procurement team.

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

• Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises on 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 new business opportunities for UNOPS;

Procedures:

• Comply with all organizational policies and specifically the Project Management Manual;

• Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by Senior Management/Project Board;

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

• Draft the requirements for procurement processes. Support evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team;

• Effective implementation of corporate directives, guidelines and strategies, and establishment of relevant management targets, as well as monitoring of achievements and results.

• Responsible for day-to-day coordination with the contractors and suppliers according to the needs and requirements on site;

• Provide support and guidance to the contractor and assists in resolving site problems, as necessary;

• Ensure maintenance of the project files, risk management 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);

• For project closure purposes, support the formal handover of the project to the engagement closure manager;

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

• Conduct and supervise Health & Safety, Social & Environmental (HSSE) issues and concerns, including application of UNOPS standards for HSSE;

• Performs HSSE management and inspections and maintains the required records;

• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the SPM;

Monitoring and reporting:

• Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS legal agreement requirements for reporting;

• Check contractors’ and suppliers set out and works, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensures that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with specified scope of work, time frame, and budget;

• 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 oUP dashboard system;

• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span;

• Assess the work activities of contractor/s, measure completed works and make recommendations to the Senior Programme Manager for progress payments to contractors.

• Review and endorse any design changes that are processed by other parties, and recommend them to SPM for implementation

• Assist in building and developing capacity of other technical personnel in construction techniques including good practices and troubleshooting methods

• Provide technical advice and assistance to contractors to ensure that economical and quality materials are purchased

• Monitor the implementation of the works by conducting site visits and provide guidance for improvement and good results

• Any situation that may require decision making, which will involve variation and or additional cost shall be brought to the notice of SPM with details of issues encountered at site and appropriate recommendation; 

• Hold ownership to UNOPS assets at construction site;

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;

Quality assurance:

• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure the projects complies with audit requirements;

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

• Check all laboratory reports, operation and maintenance manuals, and keep records and report to the SPM accordingly;

• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables;

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

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 Management Teams (PMT) and the wider PMT 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;

Personnel Management:

• Lead and motivate the project management team;

• Ensure that behavioural expectations of team members are established; 

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

• Select, recruit and train team as required and take into account gender parity, diversity and inclusion 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, harrasement, sexual harrasement 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:

The 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.

Submission Guideline:

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.