Project Manager - Infrastructure [Open to internal and external applicants]

UNDP•Picayune, MS

18h

About The Position

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with a network of experts and partners in 170 countries, UNDP helps nations build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet. UNDP’s Programme of Assistance to the Palestinian People (PAPP) derives its mandate from United Nations General Assembly Resolution 33/147. UNDP’s Palestinian Programmatic Framework (PPF) 2023-2027 sets out a vision of “a world in which all Palestinians can enjoy a dignified life and fulfil their own vision of a unified, peaceful and free society”. The PPF is centered around the concept of “Transformative Resilience”. Over the next three years, UNDP/PAPP will contribute to Palestinian national development plans and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) through interventions in democratic governance and quality services; inclusive economic opportunities; and sustainable natural resources management. As part of the newly developed Jerusalem Spatial and Socioeconomic Resilience Portfolio, UNDP is leading multi-sectoral programmes and projects. These initiatives prioritize the preservation/development of national systems and the improvement of livelihoods for marginalized communities. There has been an accelerated focus on infrastructure upgrades and construction, with numerous infrastructure and civil works underway or planned, spanning sectors including education, health, economy, housing, energy, and cultural heritage.

Requirements

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Project Management, Public Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Architecture, Urban Planning, Construction Management, Infrastructure Management, or other related relevant technical fields relevant to infrastructure and development projects is required.
A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Applicants with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience.
Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in managing or serving in a key programmatic role managing engineering/ infrastructure projects with local governmental or non-governmental organizations, including civil society organizations (CSOs).
Proven experience in engineering/ construction/ infrastructure projects project management, including planning, results-based management, financial oversight, and procurement, with demonstrated experience managing projects in crisis contexts.
Solid experience with UN, international organizations / local governments, NGOs, and bilateral and multilateral donors’ organizations, liaising and cooperating with different stakeholders including donors, government, private sector and civil society organizations.
Experience and understanding of monitoring and evaluation tools.
Experience working in infrastructure-related projects, or social development relevant fields.
Demonstrated ability to mobilize new types of partnerships and/or expertise that leverage innovative solutions to address persistent and emerging development challenges.
Demonstrated ability in excellent report writing skills, with the ability to present information clearly and concisely.
Fluency English and Arabic, written and spoken is required.
Valid membership in Local or International Engineering Association is required.

Nice To Haves

Possession of a valid driving license and a proven ability to drive and travel between Jerusalem and the West Bank will be considered an advantage
Project management certification will be an asset

Responsibilities

Ensuring effective project management by maintaining the delivery of appropriate technical, operational, financial and administrative outputs, while tracking the project’s progress through monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
Implement and manage the project on a day-to-day basis, coordinate the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project document, including, supervision and guidance of other project personnel, consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results.
Ensure the timely of planned project activities and quality timely.
Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and set out corresponding milestones.
Monitor the progress of implementation of project activities and key event schedules, review the work-plans and set deadlines, and monitor the financial resources and accounting to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
Mobilize goods and services to support project activities, including Call for Proposals, drafting TORs and works/product requirements and specifications.
Manage and monitor project risks initially identified, submitting information on the new risks and possible mitigating measures to the Project Board for consideration and updating the status of these risks by maintaining a Project Risk Log.
Assume responsibilities in line with the office Internal Control Framework and act as a `first authority` for Project transactions.
Ensure the adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with prevailing UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observe the project timelines.
Ensure that gender equality is pursued in all project activities and reflected in work plans, budgets, reports, research, analyses and, where relevant, analyzed in detail.
Ensure that accessibility for people with disabilities is reflected in all project activities.
Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs related activities, where synergies are possible.
Conducting regular field monitoring and ensuring quality assurance of project implementation on the ground.
Plan and conduct regular field visits to verify the implementation of activities, assess progress, and identify challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Ensure that all field activities are implemented in accordance with technical specifications, safety protocols, and environmental and social safeguards.
Develop and maintain checklists and reporting templates to document field observations, implementation status, and any deviations from plans.
Provide on-site technical guidance to contractors, service providers, and field staff to support the delivery of high-quality outputs.
Prepare concise field visit reports with findings, recommendations, and photos, and share them with the project team and relevant stakeholders for follow-up actions.
Support the design and implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, including spot checks, third-party verifications, and user feedback collection.
Flag any implementation gaps or non-compliance issues and ensure timely corrective actions are taken in coordination with the project team.
Coordination and building strong partnerships with the implementing partners and relevant stakeholders, focusing on achievement of the following:
Maintain strong relationships with the implementing partners, line ministries and other relevant partners and donors.
Finalize the contractual agreements with implementing partners, contractors and consultants.
Maintain regular management and quality assurance of expert inputs and products, as well as among project partners to ensure coherence and complementarity of project activities.
Identify opportunities for deepening the cooperation and recommend adequate approaches to dealing with different stakeholders based on information on all relevant stakeholders gathered during projects’ implementation.
Maintain regular communication on relevant project issues with the local and international counterparts, consultants and experts and ensure quality and timely delivery of all agreed outputs;
Maintain effective linkages with current and potential donors.
Engage with groups and communities in project activities to reflect their needs and elements of success to the planned interventions.
Communicate project goals and activities clearly to both stakeholders and the wider public.
Preparation and contribution to finalization and reporting, focusing on achieving the following.
Prepare project progress and ad hoc reports (progress against planned activities, update on risks issues, expenditures…) and ensure timely submission of the reports to the project board and relevant donor(s). The reports developed are expected to be of good quality with proper analysis of the results.
Contribute in periodical corporate reporting, including Quantum quarterly progress and ROAR.
Develop presentations and other materials that are needed to share information on achievements and challenges.
Update and file the relevant documentation.
Facilitate knowledge sharing and other relevant responsibilities pertaining to the project implementation and contribution to the office, focusing on achievement of the following.
Ensure compilation and synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices throughout project implementation.
Support the strategic sharing of relevant knowledge and information gathered throughout project implementation phase, in close collaboration with the Communications & Partnerships Specialist.
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.
Actively commit to learning to advance professional skills and career.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.