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General Information

Position Title
Senior Project Manager
Job Category
Project
Duty Station(s)
Banjul
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
29-Jan-2026
Posting End Date
12-Feb-2026
Duration
Ongoing

Job Highlight

Lead impactful projects, delivering diverse services and ensuring successful outcomes within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits.

About the Region

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.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS’ mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO’s portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region.

Job Specific Context

This is an EU support to Improve Secondary Education for Youth (EU-ISEY) in the Gambia.  The Overall Objective of the project is to improve Senior Secondary Education completion rates while reducing the gender and socioeconomic inequalities in educational attainment in The Gambia, especially in rural areas.


The intervention areas of the project are to:


Objective 1: Increase access and retention of girls and boys to inclusive Senior Secondary Education (SSE). 

Objective 2: Improve the quality and gender-sensitiveness of Senior Secondary Education (SSE) with a focus on a just green and digital transition and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) competencies.

Objective 3: Improve the gender balance and retention in the teaching force, as well as the access of girls into the teaching profession.


The project duration is five (5) years.


The project will be implemented by three main partners under a multi-partner agreement led by UNOPS, working alongside with UNFPA and Expertise France. Partners will manage grants to local implementing partners and will implement directly as well, working in close coordination and enhancing synergic action.

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Manager (Implementation) is responsible for planning, organizing, leading the project from Initiation to Closure. The Senior Project Manager ensures effective delivery and oversight of projects, while implementing the services in scope and contributing towards achievement of partners’ goals and objectives. 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. 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. The incumbent possesses and applies a deep understanding of Project planning, implementation, monitoring and control, while managing stakeholder expectations. and ensuring delivery is as per the terms of the Legal Agreement. 

Functions / Key Results Expected

  1. Project Delivery and Performance


  • Develop, complete and update the project implementation plan.

  • Implement the approved plan (including establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.

  • 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 that quality of work packages and deliverables comply with the 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 (if any), and manage changes.

  • Identify, anticipate and advise senior management and the project board on mitigating measures against project risks to ensure that benefits to partners and other stakeholders are maximized.

  • Advocate and promote UNOPS service offerings, identify and report potential growth opportunities for UNOPS.


  1. Procedures


  • Comply with the 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. This includes international regulations and standards, where applicable, as well as technical standards.

  • Prepare and adapt all relevant plans for approval by the project board, and manage baselines

  • Manage the reporting obligations defined in the implementation plan and legal agreements.

  • Maintain project documentation in an orderly manner for accessibility and audit support when needed.

  • Understand and apply the UNOPS financial rules and regulations. Be accountable for the use of delegation of authority (where applicable) and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards of ethics.

  • Provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager when applicable.

  • Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during audits and follow-up on audit observations/ recommendations.


  1. Monitoring and Reporting


  • Include a results framework and M&E plan in the project implementation plan with clearly defined indicators and agreed targets, ensure regular monitoring and tracking of project results.

  • Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

  • Regularly review project status and evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and 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 for the duration of the project life span.


  1. Stakeholder Engagement


  • Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans. Actively engage stakeholders, take feedback, and adjust as necessary. 

  • Establish solid working relationships with the project board (executive, senior users and senior suppliers); clients; and key stakeholders.

  • Enable formulation of project communication plans and monitor 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, and exceptions, and are in a position to accept handover output.


  1. Quality Assurance


  • Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

  • Work with procurement/ purchasing personnel to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems.

  • Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables. 

  • Provide quality control for management outputs (e.g. project documents, reports, etc)


  1. Knowledge Management and Innovation


  • Create a learning environment for the project team, encourage knowledge sharing and training to contribute to longer-term capacity building.

  • Actively interact with other project managers and the wider project management (PM) community, share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

  • Stay abreast with latest updates and good practices of the profession, participate in training and learning activities for self to advance proficiency and competency.

  • Ensure lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. 

  • Provide feedback to corporate practice groups on policy and systems, when needed.

  • Provide feedback to functional groups  on policies and related guidance to support the continuous improvement of UNOPS policy framework


  1. Personnel Management


  • Organise and structure the project team, ensure clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Provide regular guidance and direction, as needed, and support the team in effectively performing their tasks. 

  • Lead and motivate the project management team, and manage performance.

  • Ensure performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately, and on time.

  • Select, recruit, and train project teams as required, taking gender parity and diversity objectives into account.

  • Ensure safety and security for all project personnel in compliance with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) standard.



Skills

Project Coordination, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Quality Assurance, Reporting, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management
Strategic Perspective
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.
Respect
Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Collaboration
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Partnerships
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Excellence
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Adaptability
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Decision-making
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Communication
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR

  • Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.


Desired

  • Project management certification from a globally recognized institute is desired.

  • Professional certification from a reputed institute in the technical topic relevant to the job area is desired.

Experience Requirements


Required

  • Relevant experience is work in the implementation of complex projects/ programmes, or related areas.

  • Experience in project planning, implementation, and control, including project communication and reporting is required.

  • Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is required.

  • Experience of managing 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 the education sector is desired

  • Experience in grants management and infrastructure projects is desired

  • Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

  • Management consulting experience, involving public-sector advisory, is desired

Language Requirements

LanguageProficiency LevelRequirement
EnglishFluentRequired

Additional Information

  • 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.
 
Terms and Conditions
 
  • 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.