Background

Project Description

Canada’s Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development has provided UNDP with a contribution to manage the design and construction of a courthouse facility in Hebron. The Hebron courthouse facility will house a First Instance Court, Magistrate Court and Court of Appeals in a total building space of approximately 17,000 square meters. This initiative is part of a larger Government of Canada justice sector infrastructure development project that includes the design and construction of a courthouse facility in Tulkarem by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).
 
Governance

The Courthouse Construction Project is governed by a Project Steering Committee (PSC) Co-Chaired by the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Canada. The PSC includes the High Judicial Council, the Office of the Attorney General, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Planning for the PA. UNDP participates in the meetings and provides technical inputs for their preparation. PSC is responsible for providing oversight and strategic direction.
Technical committees have been established for each courthouse. Membership includes the respective implementation agencies, corresponding design firms, the High Judicial Council (HJC) and Canada. The technical committees are responsible for the approval of designs at key design completion stages as well as the review of progress reports, schedules and major design changes.
UNDP in-house technical expertise will ensure quality assurance and overall technical accountability for the design and construction of the Hebron courthouse.

Technical support includes:
  • (a) Contracts Associate;
  • (b) Engineering Associate;
  • (c) Engineering Analyst;
  • (d) Central Area Engineer;
  • (e) Senior Mechanical Engineer;
  • (f) Senior Electrical Engineer; and
  • (g) Office Engineer.
UNDP/PAPP Project Management

The Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project, including liaising with project stakeholders, such as the HJC and Canada at technical levels. The Project Manager will manage day to day operations of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU), set up by the UNDP/PAPP to ensure proper implementation of the project. As part of the project setup, the project manager will directly supervise 3 contracted technicians including one Resident Civil Engineer, the Electrical Engineer, and the Mechanical Engineer, as well as additional technical expertise, as required.
The Project Manager will work under direct supervision and guidance of the Team Leader of the Infrastructure & Engineering Unit and in collaboration with the Programme Analyst of the Infrastructure and Engineering unit of UNDP/PAPP who will provide operational and programme oversight.

The overall technical accountability rests with the Engineer Analysts who provides quality assurance over the technical components of the project. As far as Project Management responsibility the day-to-day project management lies with the Project Manager, while the overall programme management and quality assurance lies with the Programme Analyst.

Duties and Responsibilities

High Level Technical Support and Project Management
  • Oversee day to day organization of the technical work in line with international good practice, as well as suitability to the local context;
  • Establish effective communication and coordination mechanisms and procedures amongst the various stakeholders, as well as ensuring, and in consultation with the national counterparts, technical soundness of project activities and achievement of project results;
  • Identify opportunities to enhance teamwork within the project and liaise with other UNDP-implemented projects to capitalize on the specific advantages of multi-disciplinary support;
  • Provide recommendations to the Senior Programme Analyst and Team Leader on project management and oversight;
  • Conduct budget planning for the Project Operations as well as ensuring the achievement of results in line with the approved project work plan through the day-to-day planning, management coordination and implementation of activities, including, but not excluded to, preparation of internal annual work plans and results frameworks,  schedules and timetables monitoring, and updating plans in cooperation with the Senior Programme Analyst and Engineering Analyst, as well as requesting data for timely reporting;
  • Ensure the effective application of Results-Based Management tools, thereby ensuring the effective achievement of results and providing input to the Strategic Results Framework and the Results Oriented Annual Report. 
  • Coordinate with other implementing agencies involved in similar infrastructure development initiatives;
  • Undertake regular field visits and lead in the organization of the Technical Committee, as guided by the duly-signed agreements and arrangements with the local partners;
  • Over see the establishment of effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure project success, manage and monitor project risks and to provide updates on mitigation measures, as well as reflecting those using UNDP-based electronic systems;
  • Ensure the promotion and application of the UNDP drivers of development effectiveness (e.g., promotes national ownership and the development of national capacities; fosters policies and partnerships and promotes gender equality) for enhanced programme results, and other development standards as per UNDP’s corporate multi-year strategy.
Human Resources Management:
Oversee project-related recruitment  in accordance with UNDP rules and regulations including:
  • Prepare supporting documents, including request forms, Terms of Reference (TOR), and inter-office memoranda.
  • Arrange for the renewal of current Human Resources contracts for project staff under Service  Contracts and preparation of documents needed for Contracts, Assets and Procurement Committee (CAP) and Advisory Committee for Procurement (ACP), if required, which will fall under the responsibility of the Programme Analyst
Procurement Coordination:
  • Coordinate in consultation with the Programme Analyst, between Canada, other partners and UNDP procurement focal points for required goods/services, including electronic requisitions, preparation of supporting documents and follow up with suppliers, when required;
  • Present cases in front of the CAP Committee, if needed.
Others, as needed:
  • Provide project administration and management support to the Quality Assurance team, including preparation of correspondence in English;
  • Follow up on the day-to-day requests and activities with the different UNDP departments – Finance, HR, Administration, Procurement and Senior Management, and counterparts.

On day-to-day activities,  including: 

  • Arrange for renewal of contracts;
  • Explanation of UNDP and donor requirements;
  • Timely reporting;
  • Assist in any other required programme-related support activities.
Reporting:
  • Prepare quarterly, semi-annual and annual narrative and financial Progress Reports;
  • Prepare financial statements of commitment and disbursement;
  • Prepare Technical Committee meeting minutes;
  • Prepare Project Steering Committee- PSC- Progress Reports;
  • Prepare End of Project Lessons Learned Report;
  • Other reports, as required.
Impact of Results

The key development results have an impact on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Canada-funded initiative as it relates to the proper use of corporate resources in the following areas:

  • Financial Services;
  • Human Resources;
  • Procurement and Logistical Services;
  • Common Services and the implementation of the UN agenda in common services and joint procurement.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness of UN values and ethical standards;
  • Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly and without favoritism;
  • Shows strong corporate commitment.

Functional Competencies:

  • Development and Operational Effectiveness;
  • Ability to lead strategic planning and facilitate crucial decision making at the highest levels;
  • Ability to lead the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programmes;
  • Ability to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenges;
  • Demonstrates strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to management, coordination and effectiveness;
  • Familiarity with UN system and role of key stakeholders in the area of national development plans, local-level planning, aid management, coordination and effectiveness, is an asset;
  • Experience in capacity development and facilitating positive transformational change.

Management and Leadership:

  • Builds strong relationships with clients;
  • Focuses on impact and responds positively to constructive feedback;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates good computer skills and project management planning;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity;
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment.

Other Competencies:

  • Leadership and motivation of project team;
  • Cultural, gender, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Knowledge sharing and capacity development;
  • Continuous personal learning and application of newly acquired skills;
  • Confidentiality, discretion and good judgment;
  • Positive and constructive attitude;
  • Ability to remain calm, controlled and good-humored under pressure;
  • Open to change and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Masters degree from a recognized university in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Building or Construction Management;
  • Undergraduate degree in combination with 2 additional years(i.e., 9 years) of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the Master’s Degree requirement;
  • Member in good standing of a national professional architectural or engineering association, or body.
Experience: 
  • A minimum of 7 years’ experience in construction for medium to large-scale buildings;
  • Construction management, including financial, budget, risk, staff, as well as quality and safety management;
  • Results-based management, including narrative performance reporting;
  • Use of project management-related software (e.g., MS Project and Excel) and systems (e.g., Atlas);
  • Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNDP procedures would be an asset;
  • Proven experience in managing courthouse projects is an asset.
Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English;
  • Arabic would be an asset.