UNDP in the Arab States region · 8 hours ago
Project Manager
Palestine, IA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid LevelThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s lead development agency, working to support poverty eradication and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing water and wastewater projects in Gaza, ensuring effective coordination with partners and overseeing project implementation to restore access to safe water for vulnerable populations.
International Affairs
No H1B
Responsibilities
Ensure Project Planning And Project Management
In close cooperation with the Programme Specialist, develop project plans, concept notes, and proposals, including budgets and timelines, to support scale-up interventions and resource mobilization
Provide day-to-day management of water and wastewater project activities, ensuring effective coordination with implementing partners, national counterparts, and key stakeholders
Lead project initiation processes, including site assessments, needs identification, damage and feasibility assessments, and prioritization of interventions based on technical, operational, and humanitarian considerations
Prepare comprehensive project implementation plans, resource schedules, annual work plans, procurement plans, and detailed activity timelines to ensure coherent and timely delivery
Ensure all project interventions adhere to UNDP strategic frameworks and plans, national strategies, technical standards, and regulatory frameworks of PWA and CMWU, as well as international best practices
Contribute, in close cooperation with the Programme Specialist, to supervise and coordinate project staff, consultants, experts, contractors, and sub-grantees, providing guidance and ensuring alignment with project objectives
Contribute to overseeing performance management of project staff, experts, and consultants, ensuring efficient functioning of the project team
Provision Of Technical Management, Engineering Oversight, And Quality Assurance
Review or develop tender documents and engineering designs, technical specifications, BOQs, drawings, and cost estimates, material lists for access coordination for all water and wastewater projects
Conduct regular field visits to verify implementation progress, assess quality of works, and ensure compliance with designs, safety protocols, environmental and social safeguards, and Q/A and Q/C standards
Review contractors’ work plans, method statements, shop drawings, and material submissions to ensure technical accuracy and compliance
Identify operational challenges and issue timely site instructions; document deviations and ensure corrective measures are effectively implemented
Verify and certify work completion, quantities, variation orders, interim payment certificates, and contractor claims, ensuring fairness and value for money
Oversee adherence to environmental, social, and occupational health and safety requirements across all project sites
Financial, Procurement, And Administrative Oversight
Ensure effective financial management, including monitoring expenditures, commitments, cash flow, and budget utilization in accordance with UNDP rules and donor requirements
Provide first-level services for all project transactions under the Internal Control Framework, ensuring compliance with financial, administrative, and procurement procedures
Carry out market surveys to establish cost estimates and projects budgets and verify variation orders
Verify and certify interim payment certificates, ensuring financial accuracy, variation orders, and contractor claims, ensuring fairness and value for money
Oversee procurement processes including preparation of TORs, RFPs, RFQs, specifications, review of procurement packages, and participation in evaluation processes
Coordinate timely mobilization of goods, equipment, services, and technical assistance required for successful project implementation
Ensure integrity and transparency in procurement, contracting, and financial reporting processes
Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting, And Risk Management
Monitor project performance against approved plans, key performance indicates, milestones, and results frameworks, ensuring timely identification and resolution of delays or bottlenecks
Prepare high-quality analytical progress reports, briefs, and ad hoc updates that include progress, challenges, risks, financial status, and proposed corrective measures for the Project Board, management, and donors
Maintain and regularly update the project risk log; identify emerging risks; propose mitigation strategies; and report to UNDP management and relevant governance structures
Support corporate reporting requirements, including Quantum quarterly progress updates, ROAR, and donor-specific reports
Develop and maintain project monitoring tools, dashboards, and documentation systems to ensure accurate and audit-ready project records
Ensure timely preparation and submission of all required technical, financial, and narrative reports by project teams, partners, and contractors
Develop, implement, and continuously monitor risks and all required security and safety measures to ensure that project implementation and commissioning are carried out safely, in full compliance with UN security protocols, and without incidents
Partnership Building And Stakeholder Coordination
Actively engage in all project-related coordination with PWA, CMWU, service providers, municipalities, private sector, contractors, UN agencies, development partners, CSOs, and community representatives
Organize and facilitate coordination meetings, technical working groups, field missions, and donor visits, including preparing agendas, minutes, and follow-up action plans
Share in sectoral coordination and inter-agency meetings, ensuring strong visibility and effective communication of project achievements and needs
Ensure meaningful community engagement, conflict sensitivity, and participatory decision-making in all interventions
Coordinate the preparation of work plans, HR plans, procurement plans, and contribute to Project Board and Steering Committee meetings, ensuring timely follow-up on decisions and recommendations
Facilitate Knowledge Management, Capacity Building, And Institutional Strengthening
Develop and disseminate knowledge products, technical notes, SOPs, case studies, and lessons learned to support institutional learning and future programming
Provide coaching, mentoring, and on-the-job training to UNDP staff, partners engineers, contractors, and partner institutions
Support capacity strengthening of CMWU, PWA, and implementing partners to improve operational efficiency and sustainability of water and wastewater services
Contribute to UNDP knowledge networks and communities of practice, ensuring cross-fertilization of best practices across the region and globally
Compliance, Safeguards, Gender, And Social Inclusion
Ensure all project activities comply with UNDP environmental and social safeguards, national regulations, and donor requirements
Integrate gender equality, social inclusion, and disability-responsive approaches throughout project planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting
Ensure accessibility considerations are embedded in all infrastructure works and community-based interventions
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization
Qualification
Required
Master's Degree or 2 additional years of experience with a bachelor degree
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required
Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Water Engineering, Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field is required
A first-level university degree (bachelor's degree) in the areas stated above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree
Applicants with a master's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience
Applicants with a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience in implementing and supervising water and wastewater infrastructure projects
Preferred
Demonstrated experience in project planning, management and execution including results-based management, finance and procurement, as well as monitoring and evaluation of projects
Strong technical and engineering expertise in water supply, wastewater, stormwater systems, and environmental sanitation with ability to develop new, practical, and innovative solutions
Advanced proficiency in engineering and project management software, including AutoCAD, GIS, MS Project, and relevant engineering calculation tools
Proven track record of excellent technical writing and reporting skills, with the ability to prepare high-quality analyses, reports, briefs, and documentation
High level of computer literacy, including MS Office applications, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based management systems
Proven experience in preparing proposals, designs and tender documents including drawings, BOQs, TORs, RFPs, construction supervision and quality assurance manuals
Excellent stakeholder management and engagement, partnership-building, and coordination skills
Experience with design and implementation of ground water wells, desalination units, pumping stations, treatment plants, wastewater networks, stormwater, and related fields
Demonstrated experience and exposure in the UN system
Previous experience with international (public or private sector) organizations
Demonstrated ability to establish, build, and sustain effective relationships, partnerships, and alliances, advocate effectively and communicate sensitively
Experience working in post-conflict, emergency, or fragile contexts
Familiarity with Palestinian water sector institutions (PWA, CMWU)
Project management certification will be an asset
Company
UNDP in the Arab States region
The United Nations Development Programme works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion.
Founded in 1965
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Kentaro Yamashita
Partnerships Specialist
Muni Ahlawat
Regional Partnership Advisor
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