Deputy Project Manager, Freetown, Sierra Leone

## Deputy Project Manager, Freetown, Sierra Leone - Organization:UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services - Office:UNOPS Freetown, Sierra Leone Position Title:Deputy Project Manager Duty Station(s):Freetown Seniority Level:Mid Level Contract Type:ICA - LICA - Specialist - Regular Contract Level:LICA 10 Posting Start Date:30-Sep-2026 Posting End Date:16-Oct-2026 Lead impactful projects delivering essential transactional services, ensuring excellence in HR, procurement, and grants management within a dynamic global framework. The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent. About the Country/Multi-Country Office Based in Dakar, Senegal, the West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO) delivers high-quality project management, infrastructure, and procurement services across 16 countries in West Africa and the Sahel, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Togo. Aligned with UNOPS' mission, WAMCO supports partners in peacebuilding, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development. WAMCO's portfolio spans key sectors such as health, climate change, renewable energy, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, infrastructure, justice, and peace and security. Notable projects include the construction of pre-preschools for early childhood development in Senegal (in partnership with KOICA and UNICEF), capacity-building for national agencies on disaster risk reduction and resource management, and the development of rural mini-grid electrification systems in Sierra Leone. Through these initiatives, WAMCO contributes to inclusive growth and the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the region. 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. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments. The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of projects across more than 40 countries, supporting partners in fragile and conflict-affected contexts. Through its regional and multi-country offices, UNOPS delivers infrastructure, procurement, and project management services to governments and development partners. The West Africa Multi-Country Office (WAMCO), headquartered in Dakar, Senegal, manages a diverse portfolio across West Africa and the Sahel, supporting initiatives in climate action, renewable energy, infrastructure, agriculture, water and sanitation, environment, and governance. Sierra Leone faces one of the lowest electricity access rates globally, particularly in rural areas. Expanding renewable energy solutions such as solar mini-grids and standalone systems is a national priority to accelerate electrification and support sustainable development. The Salone Off-Grid Renewable Energy Acceleration (SOGREA) project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), aims to accelerate off-grid electrification, mobilize private investment, pilot innovative renewable energy solutions, and strengthen institutional capacity in the energy sector. The project contributes to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy SDG 13: Climate Action SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Within this context, and under the direction of the Senior Project Manager, the Deputy Project Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational execution and delivery of project support functions within the SOGREA programme. The incumbent oversees cross-cutting activities encompassing HR processing, procurement interface, financial tracking, M&E, communications, GIS and technical retainers, ensuring outputs meet UNOPS performance standards, donor agreements and audit compliance. of the project(s) and provide services to the different donors, partners and beneficiaries. The incumbent is also expected to meet the organization's performance and delivery goals. 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 q