Project Manager (Infrastructure)

The Project Manager (Infrastructure) is responsible for the effective delivery and day-to-day management of infrastructure projects in Kiribati under the Kiribati-Australia Climate Security Initiative (KACSI). The role involves overseeing project implementation, managing stakeholders, ensuring quality and compliance, and leading a project team to achieve sustainable development outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Develop, complete and update the project implementation plan.
• Implement the approved plan within tolerances set by the Project Board, including development of infrastructure designs and coordinating design reviews.
• Embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender considerations, and environmental and economic aspects, into the project life span.
• Manage the production of required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources while initiating corrective action where necessary.
• Ensure quality of work packages and deliverables comply with quality requirements defined in the implementation plan.
• 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 project variances, and manage changes.
• Identify, anticipate and advise senior management and the project board on mitigating measures against project risks.
• Identify and report potential opportunities for UNOPS to the supervisor.
• Comply with organization’s policies and standards, and ensure project information is kept updated in project management systems.
• Be aware of applicable local laws and regulations, and ensure adherence including international regulations and standards.
• Prepare and adapt all relevant plans for approval by the project board, and manage baselines.
• Manage reporting obligations defined in the 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 relevant policies and ethics standards.
• Provide formal handover of the project to the closure manager when applicable.
• Support project audit activities including planning, preparation, coordination, and follow-up on audit observations.
• Include a results framework and M&E plan in the project implementation plan with clearly defined indicators and agreed targets.
• Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements.
• Regularly review project status and evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, quality).
• Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard operating 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.
• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans.
• Actively engage stakeholders, take feedback, and adjust as necessary.
• Establish solid working relationships with project board, clients, and key stakeholders.
• Enable formulation of project communication plans and monitor effectiveness.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication ensuring effective timing and interdependency management.
• Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions.
• Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.
• 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 the project team, encourage knowledge sharing and training.
• Interact with other project managers and the wider PM community to share lessons learned and best practices.
• Stay abreast with latest updates and good practices of the profession and participate in training.
• Ensure lessons learned are shared timely and appropriately.
• Provide feedback to corporate practice groups on policy and systems.
• Provide feedback to functional groups on policies and related guidance.
• Organise and structure the project team with clearly defined roles and responsibilities.
• Provide regular guidance and direction and support the team.
• Lead and motivate the project management team and manage performance.
• Ensure performance reviews are conducted 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 civil, water, electrical, mechanical, structural or other applicable engineering disciplines with 7 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above with 5 years of relevant experience is required.
• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, PEng, CEng, etc) is desired.
• Relevant experience is work in implementing and managing infrastructure projects (e.g. roads, dams, bridges, irrigation, health, windmills, solar power, ports, etc.), all or some in developing countries, post-conflict environments, or emergency contexts.
• Experience in defining technical and design requirements is required.
• Knowledge of infrastructure quality assurance methodologies and tools is required.
• Experience in managing infrastructure project risks in a multi-stakeholder context is required.
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.
• Experience in contract management is desired.
• Experience in supporting the development of procurement strategies is desired.
• Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is desired.
• Experience of planning and applying health and safety procedures is desired.
• Fluent English language proficiency is required.

Skills

• Civil Engineering
• Water Engineering
• Electrical Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Project Management
• Infrastructure Project Implementation
• Technical Requirements Definition
• Design Requirements Definition
• Infrastructure Quality Control
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Contract Management
• Procurement Strategies
• FIDIC Conditions of Contract
• Health and Safety Procedures
• Project Management Certification
• Infrastructure Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement

Languages

English