Deputy Project Manager

Job Highlight

Lead impactful projects delivering essential transactional services, ensuring excellence in HR, procurement, and grants management within a dynamic global framework.

About The Project Office UNOPS supports sustainable development in Sierra Leone through infrastructure, procurement, and project management services that enhance energy access, water and sanitation, health, and food security. In the energy sector, UNOPS implements the World Bank-funded Enhancing Sierra Leone Energy Access Project (ESLEAP), including the Moyamba Solar Power Plant (1MW) and rural electrification, totaling $12.7 million. The UK FCDO-funded Rural Renewable Energy Project (£34.5 million) has expanded solar mini-grids and powered community health centers. In water and sanitation, a Government of Japan-funded initiative has improved access to safe drinking water in Freetown, reducing waterborne diseases. To strengthen food security, UNOPS is constructing a 4,000-metric-tonne grain silo and installing solar-powered irrigation systems through a World Bank-supported Ministry of Agriculture project. In close partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, these efforts aim to improve basic services, enhance resilience, and support inclusive, long-term development.

Role Purpose

The Deputy Project Manager (Transactional) is responsible for the effective delivery and daily oversight of projects which provide transactional services, such as HR services, procurement, grants or services, to UNOPS partners. The Deputy Project Manager serves as the focal point for coordination with donors, partners and beneficiaries, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards. Acting under the guidance of theSenior Project manager and Project Board, the Deputy Project Manager ensures that project outputs are delivered within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits.

Functions / Key Results Expected III. Functions / Key Results Expected

Project Delivery and Performance Develop, complete and update the project implementation plan.

Implement the approved plan (including establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Board.

Embed sustainability dimensions, including social and gender considerations, and environmental and economic aspects, into the project life span.

Manage the production of required outputs, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources while initiating corrective action where necessary.

Ensure that quality of work packages and deliverables comply with the quality requirements defined in the implementation plan.

Liaise with external suppliers or account managers to ensure quality and timely delivery of outputs.

Manage acceptance and delivery of work packages.

Monitor project progress, control project variances (if any), and manage changes.

Identify, anticipate and advise senior management and the project board on mitigating measures against project risks to ensure that benefits to partners and other stakeholders are maximized.

Identify and report potential opportunities for UNOPS to the supervisor.

Procedures Comply with the organization’s policies and standards, and ensure project information is kept updated in project management systems.

Be aware of applicable local laws and regulations, and ensure adherence. This includes international regulations and standards, where applicable, as well as technical standards.

Prepare and adapt all relevant plans for approval by the project board, and manage baselines

Manage the reporting obligations defined in the implementation plan and legal agreements.

Maintain project documentation in an orderly manner for accessibility and audit support when needed.

Understand and apply the UNOPS financial rules and regulations. Be accountable for the use of delegation of authority (where applicable) and ensure compliance with relevant policies and standards of ethics.

Provide a formal handover of the project to the closure manager when applicable.

Support project audit activities, including planning, preparation and coordination during audits and follow-up on audit observations/ recommendations.

Monitoring and Reporting Include a results framework and M&E plan in the project implementation plan with clearly defined indicators and agreed targets, ensur…