Background Information – Nicaragua
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a United Nations body responsible for infrastructure, procurement and project management (General Assembly Resolution 65/176 of 2010). Our mission is to help people improve their living conditions and countries achieve peace and sustainable development. UNOPS’ three priority areas correspond to:
i) Sustainable Infrastructure: UNOPS designs, builds, repairs and maintains infrastructure in some of the world’s most challenging environments. Its activities focus on the development of transportation, education and health infrastructure, among other areas.
ii) Public procurement: UNOPS is a central procurement resource for the United Nations system and Governments. Emphasizes efficient, transparent and sustainable delivery of goods and services.
iii) Project management: UNOPS manages more than a thousand humanitarian, development and peacebuilding projects each year for different partners, guaranteeing quality, effectiveness and results that meet the highest standards.
UNOPS’s work seeks environmental, social and economic sustainability, which contributes to progress in equity and the common good of the countries in which it operates, thus promoting the improvement of the living conditions of the people most in need. UNOPS has a presence in 23 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The services, products and technical assistance comply with the public administration principles of transparency, equity, integrity, free competition, impartiality, morality, effectiveness, efficiency and respect for national institutions.
Background Information – Job-specific
In Nicaragua, UNOPS has been providing technical assistance in the implementation of infrastructure projects with the Government of Nicaragua and various International Development Banks.
In this context, the Nicaragua office hopes to sign a Technical Assistance agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit of Nicaragua, for the implementation of the Project for the design and construction of a Deep Water Port in the city of Bluefields, on the Coast. Southern Caribbean of the country, with funds from CABEI. In a first phase, UNOPS assistance would include carrying out a series of prior preparation activities for the future implementation of the Port, among others: Carrying out environmental and social studies, support for the implementation of free, prior and informed consultation to the communities in the area of direct influence of the project, as well as designing the scope of the future port construction project in its different stages, which would be part of a second phase.
In order to ensure the best level of operational quality in the face of the commitments derived from this technical assistance, the formation of a multidisciplinary team of professionals in different specialties is required to provide support in the management of the processes for carrying out the different specialized studies. , which must generate the base documentation for the future implementation of the Bluefields Port project.
In this context, the Port Specialist must support the Project Manager to coordinate and direct operations, in the technical aspects of their specialty, for the management of these processes and, in particular, support in the identification/contracting of other engineering studies that lead to the implementation phase in accordance with international standards.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Port Specialist must ensure, in the area of his/her specialty, the quality of the studies, their adherence to international norms, conventions and standards, and compliance with the provisions of the regulations of the country.
Specifically, your main responsibility will be the following functions, in the area of your specialty:
- Monitor operations and deliverables by the consultants of the different studies.
- Advise and support in the writing of studies, as well as their review and technical validation and make proposals for modifications or improvements, if necessary.
- Carry out all coordination and/or coordination meetings and respond to queries from associates/counterparts and/or third parties that the technical execution of the studies implies, managing and maintaining fluid, flexible and adequate communication, to ensure that interested parties are informed. current activities, progress and exceptions in the development of the studies and are in a position to accept the products.
- Supervise and evaluate the performance of the technical team and service providers.
- Prepare special reports, when necessary and/or when requested by UNOPS Project Management.
- Advise Project Management on the technical aspects (designs, environmental, health and safety, among others) necessary to ensure the efficient implementation of the project.
- Ensure that the technical activities of the project are governed by defined internal and external procedures (if applicable).
- Manage the production of necessary products, assuming responsibility for overall progress and resource usage and initiating corrective actions when necessary. All this carrying out the necessary quality review to ensure the acceptance of the products.
- Ensure compliance with UNOPS methodology, procedures, standards and policies in contracts and study products.
- Manage risks so that they are prevented and/or mitigated when appropriate, informing UNOPS Project Management and recommending the necessary corrective actions.
- Comply with and enforce UNOPS directives, internal policies and standardized procedures for the development of technical studies.
- Inform Project Management about issues that may affect the achievement of its results, with special attention to matters related to their social, economic, institutional and environmental sustainability.
- Keep the Project Manager informed of the status of the project in all its facets and propose the solution strategies and corrective measures that are necessary for its subsequent implementation.
- Provide permanent technical assistance to the Project Manager and the Steering Committees if requested.
- Advice on the implementation of UNOPS Project Management methodologies.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager in the preparation of management reports that are required.
- Compile lessons learned throughout the entire development of the project.
- Collaborate and provide advice to different operational areas of the office (Administration, Finance, Acquisitions, contract management) throughout the entire development of the project.
- Manage and keep project files updated.
- Establish strong working relationships with the Project Committee (Executive, Senior Users and Senior Suppliers), partner and stakeholders.
- Strengthen the capabilities of the technical teams of the partner/counterpart in identifying needs for the design and construction techniques of ports.
How to apply
To apply visit:
- jobs.unops.org
- Create your candidate profile and apply to the vacancy if you meet the requirements described below.
Vacancy Link: https://jobs.unops.org/Pages/ViewVacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=27714
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education
- A higher university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) is required, preferably in civil engineering, naval engineering, transportation logistics, port management or other related areas.
- A combination of a Bachelor’s or Engineering degree or equivalent with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience is accepted in lieu of the education requirements described above.
- Possession of specialized training in areas related to the environment and social management will be an advantage.
- Possession of specialized training in project management will be valued
Experience
- Minimum experience of 5 years (with a Master’s degree) or 7 years (with a Bachelor’s degree) of relevant and progressive experience in the preparation of studies at the port pre-investment level or in the implementation of highly complex port infrastructure projects.
Additionally, experience in the following areas is valued:
- Specific experience in projects located in different local and regional contexts in Latin America.
- Specific experience in infrastructure projects in protected natural areas.
- Experience in the development of infrastructure projects within the framework of policies of international organizations.
- Experience in organizations of the United Nations system.
Language requirements
- Fluency in the Spanish language is required
- Intermediate english level is required.
