Deputy Project Manager

The Deputy Project Manager is responsible for the effective delivery and daily oversight of projects providing transactional services such as HR, procurement, and grants management within the Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) programme in Sierra Leone. The role ensures alignment with donor agreements, UNOPS performance standards, and supports sustainable development through renewable energy and infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop, complete and update the project implementation plan
• Implement the approved plan within tolerances set by the Project Board
• Embed sustainability dimensions including social, gender, environmental and economic aspects into the project life span
• Manage production of required outputs and overall progress, initiating corrective actions as necessary
• Ensure quality of work packages and deliverables comply with quality requirements
• Liaise with external suppliers or account managers to ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs
• Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages
• Monitor project progress, control variances, and manage changes
• Identify and advise senior management on mitigating measures against project risks
• Identify and report potential opportunities for UNOPS
• Comply with organizational policies and standards, keep project information updated
• Be aware of applicable local laws and regulations and ensure adherence
• Prepare and adapt relevant plans for approval by the project board
• Manage reporting obligations defined in implementation plan and legal agreements
• Maintain project documentation for accessibility and audit support
• Understand and apply UNOPS financial rules and regulations and ensure compliance with ethics policies
• Provide formal handover of project to closure manager when applicable
• Support project audit activities including planning, preparation, coordination and follow-up
• Include results framework and M&E plan with indicators and targets in project implementation plan
• Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports
• Review project status and evaluate performance criteria
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required
• Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data
• Ensure project team members track and update milestones and targets
• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans
• Establish solid working relationships with project board, clients and stakeholders
• Enable formulation of project communication plans and monitor effectiveness
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure audit compliance
• Work with procurement personnel to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems
• Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables
• Provide quality control for management outputs
• Create a learning environment for project team and encourage knowledge sharing
• Interact with other project managers and share best practices
• Stay abreast of latest updates and good practices in project management
• Ensure lessons learned are shared timely
• Provide feedback to corporate practice and functional groups on policies and systems
• Organise and structure project team with clear roles and responsibilities
• Lead and motivate project management team and manage performance
• Conduct performance reviews fairly and on time
• Select, recruit and train project teams considering gender parity and diversity
• Ensure safety and security for all project personnel in compliance with UNDSS standards

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 5 years of relevant experience is required
• A globally recognized professional certificate (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, etc) or membership in Project Management is desired
• A minimum of 5 years' progressive experience in international organizations on implementing complex projects/programmes specific to HR processes or services, financial management, grants management, procurement or related areas
• Experience in project coordination and operations management
• Knowledge of relevant quality standards, and assurance methodologies
• Demonstrated experience in monitoring delivery metrics and managing project budgets
• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired
• 1 year previous experience working with UNOPS in managing similar projects is desired
• Proven track record of implemented plans and projects
• Experience in creating and executing project plans to meet needs and requirements
• Experience in writing reports, performing data analyses, and drafting documents
• Experience in risk management for implementation projects
• Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies
• Experience working in multicultural teams
• Experience working with remote teams
• Fluent English required

Skills

• Project Management
• Prince2
• PMI
• Project Coordination
• Operations Management
• HR Processes
• Finance Management
• Grants Management
• Procurement
• Quality Assurance Methodologies
• Monitoring Delivery Metrics
• Project Budgeting
• Microsoft Office Suite
• G-Suite
• Web-based Management Systems
• Report Writing
• Data Analysis
• Risk Management
• Multi-cultural Team Collaboration
• Virtual Team Management

Languages

English