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General Information

Position Title
Senior Project Manager
Job Category
Project
Duty Station(s)
Pristina
Seniority Level
Senior Level
ICS Level
ICS 11
Contract Type
ICA - IICA - Regular
Contract Level
IICA 3
Posting Start Date
27-Mar-2026
Posting End Date
12-Apr-2026
Duration
Ongoing, subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.

Job Highlight

This is an excellent opportunity to lead a critical environmental project in Kosovo, contributing to improved water quality and sustainable development. The position offers a chance to work with multidisciplinary teams, oversee technical aspects of wastewater treatment plant construction, and ensure compliance with international standards, all while advancing your career within UNOPS.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

Since opening in 2019, the UNOPS Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) in Vienna has served as a hub for operations across 12 countries in South-East Europe, Türkiye, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia. AUMCO delivers technical expertise, operational support, and sustainable infrastructure solutions for governments, donors, and international financial institutions. Flagship initiatives include Blueing the Black Sea—a GEF and World Bank partnership to reduce pollution and promote sustainable development—and Türkiye’s post-earthquake recovery programme, enhancing protective services for women and children. In Albania, projects revitalise cultural heritage and advance digital justice, while in Kosovo, new university infrastructure supports higher education. In Georgia, AUMCO facilitates the Eastern Partnership European School and strengthens rule of law and digital health access. Across Central Asia, activities range from health system strengthening in Uzbekistan to hazardous waste management in Tajikistan. AUMCO also supports UNOPS’ global Water, Environment, and Climate portfolio, reinforcing its role as a regional and thematic centre of excellence.

About the Project Office

UNOPS has been present in Pristina since 1999, supporting national and international partners in advancing development, governance, and public service delivery. Through its wide-ranging expertise in project management, procurement, infrastructure, and human resources, UNOPS plays a key role in strengthening Kosovo’s institutions and systems. Current efforts include the construction of new premises for the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Pristina — a major step toward improving higher education infrastructure and enhancing academic and research capacities. By delivering practical, sustainable solutions, the Pristina Office contributes to better public services, stronger institutions, and long-term development across the country.

Job Specific Context

AUMCO is recruiting for a Senior Project Manager with Infrastructure expertise in industrial wastewater treatment plants, to be based in Pristina, Kosovo. The Project Manager will take the lead on a project funded by the EU, called “Improving Water Quality of the Sitnica River through the Construction of five Wastewater Treatment Plants and one chemical warehouse at Thermoelectric Power Plant Kosovo B”. The overall objective of the project is to support Kosovo in addressing the environmental hazards emerging from water and waste pollution in line with the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans. The specific objective is the design and construction of five wastewater treatment plants and a chemical storage building in line with international standards at Kosovo B, a Thermoelectric Power Plant close to Pristina. The design and construction will be procured through a public tendering process.

Role Purpose

The Project Manager acts on behalf of the Project Board to manage the project on an ongoing basis during the Implementation Stage. The main responsibility is to ensure that the project outputs are delivered within the specified project tolerances of time, cost, quality, scope, risk and benefits. He/she is expected to meet the organization’s performance and delivery goals. The Project Manager has the authority to assign, as per the Project Plan, work packages to Team Managers and approve deliverables produced by them. The Project Manager is responsible for creating the Implementation Plan, using the Project Document, Legal Agreement and having 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). Success of the project(s) and hence of the Project Manager will be based on the defined Success Criteria.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Project Delivery and Performance

  • Develop, complete and update implementation plan.
  • Impleent the approved plan (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.
  • Embed sustainability dimensions including social and gender inclusion, environmental and economic aspects into project life span.
  • Manage the production of the required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary.
  • Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables complies with the quality requirements defined in the Implementation Plan.
  • Liaise with any external suppliers or account managers.
  • Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.
  • Monitor project progress ensuring that work packages are being executed properly.
  • Control project and work packages changes.
  • Accept goods, services or works delivered by suppliers.
  • Lead contract management duties including supplier performance evaluation.
  • Act as the Employer’s Representative within the FIDIC works contracts.
  • Identify, and anticipate in a timely manner, potential risks and issues and advises mitigating measures to senior management/ Project Board so that maximum benefit to partner(s) and other stakeholders is achieved.
  • Identify and report to the supervisor potential business opportunities for UNOPS.


2. Procedures

  • Comply with all organizational policy and specifically the Project Management Manual.
  • Prepare/adapt all relevant plans for approval by the Project Board.
  • Manage the reporting obligations defined in the Legal Agreement(s) and in the Implementation Plan.
  • Draft the requirements definitions for procurement processes. Approving requisitions and requests for non-purchase order payments; Evaluating submissions received, if appointed to the evaluation team.
  • Ensure maintenance of the project files and lessons learned are recorded.
  • Ensure the development and implementation of project financial management guidelines and control mechanisms, in conformity with UNOPS rules and regulations.
  • Manage budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time.
  • Understand and manage UNOPS overheads, allocable charges, and related corporate charges as they apply to the project.
  • Understand the unique structures of the UN and budget appropriately for personnel.
  • Manage expenditures against the budget (based on accurate financial reports).
  • Where the Project Manager has no delegation as a committing officer, s/he retains these responsibilities and will monitor and instruct/request others to carry out the relevant commitments and disbursements.
  • For project closure purposes, provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager.
  • Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during the audits and follow up on audit observations/recommendations.


3. Monitoring and reporting

  • Prepare and issue regular project and/or financial reports in accordance with Partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.
  • 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 dashboard system.
  • Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of projects' life span.


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

  • Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.
  • Work with procurement/purchasing staff to ensure effective interface with suppliers' quality systems.
  • Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables.
  • Provide quality control for management outputs (project documents, reports, etc.).


6. Knowledge management and innovation

  • Encourage routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of staff.
  • Actively interact with other Project Managers and the wider PM 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. Personnel Management

  • Lead and motivate the project management team.
  • Ensure that behavioral expectations of team members are established.
  • Ensure that performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately and timely.
  • Select, recruit and train a team as required and take into account gender parity and diversity 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.

Skills

Contract Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance, Risk Management, Stakeholder Engagement, Team Leadership
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

  • Advanced University Degree preferably in environmental studies, engineering, or other relevant field with 7 years of relevant experience OR
  • First-level University Degree (Bachelor's) in combination with 9 additional years of relevant professional experience.

Experience Requirements

Required

  • Minimum 7 years of relevant work experience in combination with an Advanced University Degree and 9 years of experience with a First-level University Degree in Infrastructure project/programme management and development. 
  • At least 5 years of experience in preparing project plans, writing project progress reports, project communications, engaging stakeholders, and conducting monitoring and evaluation.
  • Proven extensive continuous experience in the sector of industrial wastewater management.


Desired

  • Prior experience working with UNOPS, UN, or other humanitarian/development agencies, and previous experience on EU financed projects.
  • Expertise on Energy & Environment Wastewater, Data Analysis and Project Management.


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. 
  • 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.
 
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.