Closing date: Tuesday, 21 April 2015
Posting Title: Project Manager (Africa Hall), P5
Job Code Title: Chief of Section, Engineering
Department/ Office: Economic Commission for Africa
Duty Station: ADDIS ABABA
Posting Period: 22 March 2015-21 April 2015
Job Opening number: 15-ENG-ECA-41537-R-ADDIS ABABA (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
- Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
- Staff members are
subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by
him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically
to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules
and procedures.
- This vacancy is subject to availability of post.
- Staff members of
the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move
requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are
requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal
History Profile (PHP) and cover note.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The Africa Hall complex was constructed during the years 1959 - 1961 and
inaugurated by the Emperor of Ethiopia on the 26 February 1961. It was
given to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) as a
gift from the Government and people of Ethiopia, and became a birth
place of the Organization for African Unity (OAU), currently known as
the African Union Commission (AUC). ECA, in collaboration with UNESCO,
the AUC and the Ethiopian Government launched the first initiative for
the Renovation of Africa Hall at a ceremony that marked the 50th
Anniversary of the ECA held on 24 October 2008 culminating in the
pronouncement to make the Hall a 'monument to modern African History'.
The General Assembly requested the Secretary-General of the United
Nations to assess the status of the Africa Hall and later approved the
renovation project to ensure that Africa Hall historical significance is
preserved while maintaining its functionality, which is in strict
compliance with the highest international standards for conference
facilities. As a result of this decision, ECA has transitioned to the
implementation stage.
The Africa Hall renovation project is complex in nature and entails
management of significant financial resources. The Project Manager
position is located at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Project Manager- Africa Hall
reports to the Director of Administration.
Responsibilities
Under the general guidance of the Director of Administration, the
incumbent will be responsible for the design, construction, and
programme management related planning and execution of tasks primarily
for the Africa Hall project while adhering to the strict deadline as
mandated by the General Assembly. ECA will implement the Africa Hall
project as part of the organization's 20 year Strategic Capital Review
(SCR). The project entails renovation of over 10,000 m2 of this historic
landmark and related decanting of businesses and certain functions in
Africa Hall, the Old Office Building, and potentially Cafeteria and
Library Buildings.
It is estimated that this project may span over a 7 year period in line
with the established project scope, new SCR related scope, and key
performance indicators, which include: relocation of the business
functions of the affected buildings; reallocation and reorganization of
office, business, and conference spaces; aspects of heritage, security,
accessibility; structural integrity and compliance with building code(s)
and safety; any special upgrades while ensuring business continuity of
operations in the designated project area throughout the construction.
All activities will be coordinated with the daily operations of ECA, the
standards and direction of the DOA as well as Facility Management
Section (FMS) and their other related projects, stakeholders and roles
as per the Governance Structure. Incumbent will also act as a liaison
between general contractor and ECA administration and facilitate issue
resolution through agreed and established coordination platform.
In this context, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Formulates and
implements the substantive work programme under his/her supervision
entailing the establishment and maintenance of project and programme
management, control and support arrangements, including an appropriate
communications and contracting strategy, aiming to ensure that the
Africa Hall project progresses on time and budget, while mitigating key
project risks by applying relevant expert knowledge of the design,
construction and project management methodologies.
- Oversees the
management of the project related design and construction activities in
coordination with Facility Management Section, including programming,
acquisition management, contracting, scheduling, cost estimating,
quality control and contract administration. Ensures that programmed
activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in
the different areas both within the project team, ECA, and with other
departments and entities of the United Nations System, as well as with
local authorities, including departments of construction, planning
offices, fire departments, stakeholders, governing/oversight/audit
bodies, tourism and historical conservation departments as appropriate.
- Leads, supervises
and carries out the AH/SCR work programme under his/her responsibility
including the management and coordination of the project cost, such as
bill of quantities and time control procedures as well as the validation
of any change order to contracts.
- Manages the financial, human and contractual resources assigned, including the design firm.
- Oversees the work
carried out by different work units and co-ordinates the work programme
with other parts of the project team and other ECA entities as
necessary. Establishes and maintains the Project Management Plan for
site operations, project guidelines, policies, procedures and
performance standards.
- Implements the
project management plan in all phases of the project. Reviews and
recommends for approval all design and construction contracts submitted.
Co-ordinates the work carried out by the project team including the
consultants, the liaison staff and other ECA entities; provides
programmatic/substantive reviews of the work prepared by others to
ensure all resources are used properly in order to achieve all project
goals and objectives.
- Reviews and
submits for final approval of the Director of Administration cost
estimates, cost reports, cost analysis worksheets, owner's reports, fee
payments, monthly construction invoices, master cost breakdowns, general
conditions estimates, and labor cost reports. Reviews and approves
weekly and monthly project reports from project consultants.
- Prepares periodic
project progress reports to the Executive Secretary and Director of
Administration of ECA, UN Headquarters, and other entities as required.
- Prepared concise
reports under the direction of the DOA for presentation to
intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on
Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme
Coordination, and the General Assembly, as appropriate and is lead by
past and present reports and the governance structure. The project is
guided by the Secretary General's report A/69/259 that culminated in the
approval of this project.
- Ensures that the
outputs produced maintain high-quality standards; that reports are
clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all
outputs produced by the staff under his/her supervision meet required
standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant
mandates.
- Assists the
Director of Administration in coordination with the Facility Management
Section, ECA leadership, the UNHQ Overseas Property Management Unit
and/or other entities of UN Headquarters, based on the Governance
Structure, in preparing and coordinating the work programme of the
project team, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the
completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Coordinates the
preparation of the schedule and long term planning, monitor/control the
design/construction to ensure the project is executed on schedule and
within budget and integrates with FMS work plans to maintain daily
operations and long-term plans.
- Acts as secretary
to the project Steering Committee; prepares all required materials and
information for project related meetings.
- Oversees the
administrative and programmatic tasks necessary for the implementation
of the AH project and the functioning of the AH project team including:
developing, maintaining and enforcing adherence to the design and
construction phasing; commissioning, close-out and site logistics plan;
preparation of budgets using the concept of results-based budgeting
(RBB), reporting on budget and programme performance; evaluation of
staff performance; interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation
of candidates.
- Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance.
- Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries.
- Represents the project team at international, regional, or national meetings.
- Performs additional tasks as and when requested by the Director of Administration.
- Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
- Staff within work unit/project team;
- Human resource,
administrative, accounting, facilities management, security,
procurement, shipping and inventory staff in ECA and UN Headquarters.
- Consultants and Contractors.
- Counterparts in other UN agencies.
- Counterparts in Host Country authorities/agencies (utilities, roads, and others).
Results Expected:
- Africa Hall renovation project completed within the time frame of 6 years and approved budget.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the contracting and construction
management issues, particularly international best practice building
codes and standards and legal requirements. Ability to implement major
capital projects effectively, on time and budget. Ability to produce
reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work
of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and
guidelines in work situations. Competency in the use of relevant
information technology and systems. Ability to work with people from
various cultures and professions and successful experience in working
with boards and external audiences is desirable. Shows pride in work and
in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of
subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments,
observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional
rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with
difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Planning & Organizing:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
- Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
- Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
- Uses time efficiently.
Accountability:
- Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments
- Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards
- Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules
- Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments
- Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Leadership:
- Serves as a role model that other people want to follow
- Empowers others to translate vision into results
- Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives
- Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support
- Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions
- Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo
- Shows the courage to take unpopular stands
Managing Performance:
- Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority
- Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member
- Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills
- Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines
- Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff
- Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative
- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff
- Appraises performance fairly
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in
engineering, architecture or related area is required. A first-level
university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying
experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree is an asset. Professional
certification or membership of chartered institutes such as the Project
Management Institute and Professional Engineering or Architectural
Institute is highly desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in
managing large-scale construction or renovation projects with multiple
stakeholders is required along with comprehensive technical report
writing. A proven track record in implementing major projects
effectively, on time, and on budget is required using leading edge
software project management tools. Experience in working with boards,
public sector and external audience is desirable. Proficiency/Experience
in MS Project or equivalent project management tools is required.
Languages
For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required;
knowledge of French (the working language of the ECA and UN Secretariat)
is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an
advantage.
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