UNOPS

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

Since 2005, UNOPS has supported South Sudan’s development through critical infrastructure projects that improve access to essential services and livelihoods, particularly in rural and underserved areas. Efforts focus on the design, construction, and rehabilitation of roads, airstrips, ports, and bridges to enhance connectivity and promote economic activity. UNOPS also builds schools, health facilities, and government offices to strengthen basic service delivery and institutional capacity. In addition to infrastructure, UNOPS provides procurement and operational support to the Government and development partners, enabling efficient and transparent implementation of key initiatives. All efforts are geared toward improving socio-economic conditions, fostering resilience, and supporting long-term development across South Sudan.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Horn of Africa Multi-country office (HAMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4)  Horn of Africa countries  (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan). HAMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure, among others.  

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through  delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.  Building on our global experience successfully delivering projects in complex operating environments, UNOPS has recently initiated several infrastructure projects with our priority partners.  

Country Context:

In response to a growing demand for UNOPS Infrastructure Service Line, a number of infrastructure projects have been signed with the Government and Partners in 2024.  

If you have experience leading teams delivering on high quality infrastructure works that match client needs with budget; are always ready to get hands on with the work, and can lead partners through best practices and operational excellence and excited to support the peace, recovery and development agendas across the country, then this is your opportunity.

The Duty Station will be based in Juba, with regular missions to the field and project’s locations.

Project Background

UNOPS has been approached by the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare to support the development of critical infrastructure under the Women's Social and Economic Empowerment Project for South Sudan (SSWSEEP).  

The main objective of the project is to increase girls and women’s access to livelihood, entrepreneurial and Gender-based violence (GBV) services and to strengthen the government's capacity to provide these services. 

The UNOPS implemented activities include the design and construction of new infrastructure including:

1. Construction of a new (Class A) Ministry Building located in Juba

2. Construction of a new (Class A) Safe House for GBV survivors building in Juba

3. Construction of two (2) new (Class B) Women Economic Community Centers (WECCs) buildings in Torit and Wau

4. Implementation of World Bank Environmental and Social Commitments Plan for the Women's Social and Economic Empowerment Project for South Sudan

5. Management of the Defects Notification Period

Roles and Responsibilities of Project Manager

The Senior Project Manager reports to the Country Programme Manager and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the project(s) and provides services to the donors, partners and beneficiaries. The Senior Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility of the Senior Project Manager is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered to agreed specifications, time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. S/he is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals.

The Senior Project Manager has the delegated responsibility to refine work packages; assign activities to Team Managers, and approve deliverables produced under their supervision. S/he will also act as the Resident Infrastructure Coordinator for the South Sudan Country Office.

The successful candidate will be required to establish a thorough understanding of the terms, conditions, and the respective roles and responsibilities of the partners/stakeholders, to ensure the project(s) outputs are capable of meeting the business cases for both UNOPS and the partner(s). 

The Senior Project Manager (Infrastructure) is responsible for the effective delivery and day-to-day management of infrastructure projects, which may involve the construction of physical assets, technical outputs, or both. These projects span a range of sectors, including (but not limited to) education, health, transportation, irrigation, and port infrastructure. The Senior Project Manager serves as the focal point for coordination with donors, partners and beneficiaries, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards. Acting on behalf of the Project Board, the Senior Project Manager ensures that project outputs are delivered within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in civil, water, electrical, mechanical, structural or other applicable engineering disciplines with 9 years of relevant experience OR
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

• Project management certification (e.g. PRINCE2, PMI, PEng, CEng, etc) is desired.

Required

• 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.

Desired

• 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.

• 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. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• 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.