Senior Project Manager (Implementation)

Senior Project Manager (Implementation) | UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Senior Project Manager (Implementation)

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services Oranjestad National ICS 11 level Speaks Dutch, English, French, Papiamento, Spanish

Application deadline: March 24, 2026

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Summary by Impactpool

The Senior Project Manager (Implementation) will lead impactful projects in Aruba, ensuring successful outcomes within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits. This role involves planning, organizing, and overseeing project delivery from initiation to closure, while managing stakeholder expectations and ensuring compliance with UNOPS standards. The incumbent will coordinate with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, to implement the Strengthening the Correctional Sector project. The position requires a deep understanding of project management principles and the ability to navigate complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

Candidate Requirements:

Bachelor's degree with 9 years of experience or Master's degree with 7 years of experience

Experience in implementation of complex projects

Project planning, implementation, and control experience

Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies

Experience managing project risks in multi-stakeholder contexts

Fluent in English

Project management certification desired

Experience in multicultural environments desired

General Information

Position Title

Senior Project Manager (Implementation)

Job Category

Project

Duty Station(s)

Oranjestad, Aruba

Seniority Level

Senior Level

ICS Level

ICS 11

Contract Type

ICA - IICA - Regular

Contract Level

IICA 3

Posting Start Date

06-Mar-2026

Posting End Date

24-Mar-2026

Duration

Open-ended contract, subject to funds availability and good performance.

Job Highlight

Lead impactful projects, delivering diverse services and ensuring successful outcomes within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits.

About the Country/Multi-Country Office

UNOPS has an established operational presence in the Caribbean region, supported through the Barbados Country Office and Sint Maarten Office. Aruba is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, enjoying autonomy over domestic policy areas including governance, justice, public services and immigration, while foreign affairs, defense and Kingdom-level responsibilities remain under the shared remit of the Kingdom ministries of the Netherlands as stipulated in the Kingdom Charter and Aruba’s constitutional framework.

 Aruba is a stable, low-hardship environment with a well-developed legal and institutional framework. It is widely regarded as a tropical tourism destination known for its political stability, relative safety and longstanding appeal to international visitors, including from the United States and Europe. The island’s economy and public services are structured around a service-oriented environment in tourism and hospitality.

 In recent years, Aruba has experienced significant migratory pressures due to its proximity to Venezuela, with tens of thousands of undocumented migrants present compared to its population size, which has implications for social services and administrative processes.

About the Project Office

Phase 1 of Strengthening the Correctional Sector in Aruba will be implemented in Aruba in partnership with the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Aruba, with the objective of translating the Phase 0 strategic analysis into an implementation-ready plan for the development of a new Correctional Institute of Aruba (KIA)., the project will deliver the technical, operational and procurement foundations required to proceed efficiently to Phase 2 (construction and execution). 

The high-level scope covers establishment of a project management and implementation framework and governance arrangements; development of conceptual and detailed, construction-ready designs; preparation and execution of the procurement process for the construction works up to recommendation for award; development of the operating model and workforce planning for the future facility; and completion of Phase 1 reporting and transition documentation. 

Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Justice, KIA management and staff, and wider justice-chain institutions, with indirect benefits expected for detainees and the broader community through improved, humane and sustainable correctional infrastructure aligned with international standards.

Job Specific Context

UNOPS has an established operational presence in the Caribbean region, supported through the Barbados Country Office and Sint Maarten Office. Aruba is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, enjoying autonomy over domestic policy areas including governance, justice, public services and immigration, while foreign affairs, defense and Kingdom-level responsibilities remain under the shared remit of the Kingdom ministries of the Netherlands as stipulated in the Kingdom Charter and Aruba’s constitutional framework.

Aruba is a stable, low-hardship environment with a well-developed legal and institutional framework. It is widely regarded as a tropical tourism destination known for its political stability, relative safety and longstanding appeal to international visitors, including from the United States and Europe. The island’s economy and public services are structured around a service-oriented environment in tourism and hospitality.

In recent years, Aruba has experienced significant migratory pressures due to its proximity to Venezuela, with tens of thousands of undocumented migrants present compared to its population size, which has implications for social services and administrative processes.

Project Information:

Phase 1 of  Strengthening the Correctional Sector in Aruba  will be implemented in Aruba in partnership with the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Aruba, with the objective of translating the Phase 0 strategic analysis into an implementation-ready plan for the development of a new Correctional Institute of Aruba (KIA). ,  the project will deliver the technical, operational and procurement foundations required to proceed efficiently to Phase 2 (construction and execution). 

The high-level scope covers establishment of a project management and implementation framework and governance arrangements; development of conceptual and detailed, construction-ready designs; preparation and execution of the procurement process for the construction works up to recommendation for award; development of the operating model and workforce planning for the future facility; and completion of Phase 1 reporting and transition documentation. 

Key stakeholders include the Ministry of Justice, KIA management and staff, and wider justice-chain institutions, with indirect benefits expected for detainees and the broader community through improved, humane and sustainable correctional infrastructure aligned with international standards.

Role Purpose

The Senior Project Manager (Implementation) is responsible for planning, organizing, leading the project from Initiation to Closure. The Senior Project Manager ensures effective delivery and oversight of projects, while implementing the services in scope and contributing towards achievement of partners’ goals and objectives. Acting on behalf of the Project Board, the Senior Project Manager ensures that project outputs are delivered within agreed tolerances of time, cost, scope, quality, risk, and benefits. The Senior Project Manager serves as the focal point for coordination with donors, partners and beneficiaries, ensuring alignment with contractual commitments and UNOPS performance standards. The incumbent possesses and applies a deep understanding of Project planning, implementation, monitoring and control, while managing stakeholder expectations. and ensuring delivery is as per the terms of the Legal Agreement. 

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.

Advocate and promote UNOPS service offerings, identify and report potential growth opportunities for UNOPS.

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, ensure regular monitoring and tracking of project results.

Prepare and issue regular project and financial reports in accordance with partner and UNOPS requirements for reporting.

Regularly review project status and evaluate performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule, and quality)

Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard operating procedures.

Provide routine oversight and analysis of delivery data within the dashboard system.

Ensure all project team members track and regularly update milestones and targets for the duration of the project life span.

Stakeholder Engagement

Develop stakeholder engagement strategies and plans. Actively engage stakeholders, take feedback, and adjust as necessary. 

Establish solid working relationships with the project board (executive, senior users and senior suppliers); clients; and key stakeholders.

Enable formulation of project communication plans and monitor effectiveness of project communications.

Coordinate stakeholder engagement and communication, ensuring effective timing and interdependency management of communications. Ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions, and are in a position to accept handover output.

Quality Assurance

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure projects comply with audit requirements.

Work with procurement/ purchasing personnel to ensure effective interface with suppliers’ quality systems.

Coordinate quality reviews of project documents and deliverables. 

Provide quality control for management outputs (e.g. project documents, reports, etc)

Knowledge Management and Innovation

Create a learning environment for the project team, encourage knowledge sharing and training to contribute to longer-term capacity building.

Actively interact with other project managers and the wider project management (PM) community, share case studies, lessons learned and best practices.

Stay abreast with latest updates and good practices of the profession, participate in training and learning activities for self to advance proficiency and competency.

Ensure lessons learned are shared in a timely and appropriate manner. 

Provide feedback to corporate practice groups on policy and systems, when needed.

Provide feedback to functional groups  on policies and related guidance to support the continuous improvement of UNOPS policy framework.

Personnel Management

Organise and structure the project team, ensure clearly defined roles and responsibilities. Provide regular guidance and direction, as needed, and support the team in effectively performing their tasks. 

Lead and motivate the project management team, and manage performance.

Ensure performance reviews are conducted fairly, accurately, and on time.

Select, recruit, and train project teams as required, taking gender parity and diversity objectives into account.

Ensure safety and security for all project personnel in compliance with the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) standard.

Skills

Project Coordination, Project Implementation, Project Planning, Quality Assurance, Reporting, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organisation. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organisation.

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Education Requirements

Required

Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 9 years of relevant experience OR

Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any discipline with 7 years of relevant experience is required.

Desired

Project management certification from a globally recognized institute is desired.

Professional certification from a reputed institute in the technical topic relevant to the job area is desired.

Experience Requirements

Required

Relevant experience is work in the implementation of complex projects/ programmes, or related areas.

Experience in project planning, implementation, and control, including project communication and reporting is required.

Knowledge of quality assurance methodologies is required.

Experience of managing project risks in a multi-stakeholder context is required.

Desired

Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired.

Management consulting experience, involving public-sector advisory, is desired.

Language Requirements

Language Proficiency Level Requirement

English Fluent Required

Spanish Intermediate Desirable

French Intermediate Desirable

Dutch Intermediate Desirable

Papiamento Intermediate Desirable

Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be

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