Deputy Project Manager

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

Since 1995, UNOPS has maintained an active presence in Afghanistan, delivering efficient, agile services in support of both humanitarian response and development efforts. Prior to August 2021, the Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) implemented projects across a broad range of sectors, including infrastructure, procurement, capacity building, and environmental protection. In response to evolving humanitarian needs, AFCO has shifted its focus to supporting life-saving initiatives and basic human needs. Current priorities include managing large-scale cash-for-work programmes, procuring emergency supplies, and providing inter-agency coordination, communication, and accountability support.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Infrastructure for Basic Human Needs in Afghanistan (IBN) Project, liaison and communication with the funding partner, implementing partners, and project beneficiaries. In consultation with the Senior Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager will also liaise with local and national authorities, including the de facto Authorities, in line with United Nations guidelines. The Deputy Project Manager will support the Senior Project Manager and act on his/her behalf when needed, including but not limited to managing the team, program and contract management, social mobilization and training, engineering, reporting, monitoring, and evaluation. S/he will be responsible for the overall coordination, procurement arrangements with local organizations and contractors, engagement with communities, quality assurance, monitoring and reporting, and managing technical assistance activities.

The Deputy Project Manager manages projects or programs independently within existing frameworks, guidelines, and rules. Provides authoritative advice on the application of established policies and procedures. Adapts existing policies, approaches, and models to meet emerging client or project needs. Supervises a team of support staff and/or junior professional personnel. Solves complex problems by navigating and applying existing rules. Manages a specific portfolio of work (e.g., recruitment programs, procurement cases). Interacts with clients to maintain relationships and ensure reliable service delivery.

1. Project Delivery and Performance

• 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.
• Oversee the teams to ensure the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall implementation progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure that the quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Project Plan.
• Oversee the liaison between the various teams with any external suppliers or account managers, and coordinate external liaison.
• Advise the Senior Project Manager of any possible deviations from the plan and possible corrective actions.
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.
• Review and approve 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 through the monitoring team, ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.
• Control project and work package changes.
• Accept works, goods or services delivered by suppliers.
• Lead contract management duties, including supplier performance evaluations.
• Lead the review of project proposals, including technical and economic components.
• Lead and oversee the planning and implementation of community support through implementing partners.
• Oversee and coordinate the development and implementation of systems for internal control that ensure compliance with contractual terms and conditions, in collaboration with the procurement team.
• Identify and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advise on mitigating measures to the 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.

2. Procedures

• Oversee and coordinate the compliance 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.
• Oversee the drafting of the requirements for procurement processes. Support evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
• Oversee the effective implementation of corporate directives, guidelines and strategies, and the establishment of relevant management targets, as well as the monitoring of achievements and results.
• Oversee and coordinate the interactions and management of contractors, grantees and suppliers according to the needs and requirements on site.
• Provide support and guidance to the grantees and assist in resolving site problems, as necessary.
• Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
• 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.

3. Monitoring and reporting

• Support the Senior PM in the preparation and issuing of regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS legal agreement requirements for reporting.
• Oversee and review grantee and contractor compliance with contract specifications and ensure that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with the 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 one UNOPS Project (OuP - internal system) dashboard system.
• Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of the project's life span.
• Assess the work activities of contractor/s, measure completed works and make recommendations to the Senior Project 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 the 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 providing 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 the site and appropriate recommendations.

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

• Develop the project QA strategy and plan.
• Build capacity in the team to undertake QA.
• Ensure the project meets the QA requirements.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure the project 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.)

6. Partnerships and Coordination

• Encourage routine and effective capacity-building activities to be conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
• Actively interact with other Project Teams (PT) and the wider PT 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. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Lead and motivate the project 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, 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.
  

Required

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, or a similar field with 5 years of relevant experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, Project Management, or a similar field with 7 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• PRINCE2 Practitioner Certification

Required

• Minimum 5 years of relevant progressive experience in managing community projects with a focus on monitoring, reporting, development, and coordination.

• Proven experience of project implementation in close collaboration with government authorities.

Desired

• Previous work experience with the UNOPS or any of the United Nations agencies or I/NGOs.

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations.

• Experience in the Herat province.

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. 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. 
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience requirements outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to considering all candidates in a fair and transparent manner, and we value diverse perspectives and experiences, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals with diverse 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.

• 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 [link removed]. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here. [link removed]
• 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.