Manager Project Management (Remote)

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Senior Project Manager Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
TYPE OF CONTRACT: Admin Dubai UAE (Remote)
During times of crisis rapid damage analysis needs to be conducted to quickly identify the type of assistance required and be able to restore connectivity quickly to enable critical communications in emergency situations.
In response to these challenges WFP is harnessing the technology of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones to improve its disaster preparedness and response operations. Innovative solutions such as Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence allow to conduct large scale assessments in different areas such as disaster damages crop monitoring search and rescue among others.
We are seeking to fill a position of Senior Project Manager for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) based at our Headquarters in Rome Italy and covering UAS projects globally.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of TECF the incumbent will be expected to manage the multi-donor funded program activities as well as new multiple projects with high funds amount as per current plans; Strategy and the execution plan support UAS Framework in collaboration with Aviation and Aviation Safety design solutions for the effective use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology for the broader humanitarian community in both steady-state operations and deployment during emergencies lead a global UAS team oversee the training activities covered in the projects as well as address potential safety and data protection risks associated to the integration of the technology and define risk avoidance and mitigation actions ensure drones advocacy activities. Lead 2024 UAS Strategy development and execution plan by integrating the overall WFP Drones purpose and wanted position as well as relevant Headquarters Divisions and Regional Bureaux/Hubs objectives;
Lead the overall structure and mapping of the UAS donors contributions towards the key pillars of the UAS strategy: Policy & standards-setting Strategy Planning & coordination Pilots & incubation Scale up & deployment Knowledge management. Consequently lead the implementation and planning of all UAS donor funded activities including ensuring timely and transparent negotiation and finalization of contracts for all those services required to implement the activities capacity-building exercises workshops trainings LTAs equipment procurement etc.);
Engage with SMEs in Functional Areas Regional Bureaux and Country Offices to gather insights to create synergies in the development funding proposals implementation technical support and M&E of UAS projects and activities;
Lead new Business Development by engaging internal and external stakeholders to continue being at the forefront of innovative sustainable solutions in the drones humanitarian context;
Expansion of partnerships through WFPs Standby Partnerships led by ALITE team in the Emergency Operations Division Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and joint activities with other humanitarian entities;
Reports (per event mid-term and final) as required from Donors including all other forms of engagement to ensure they are informed on project progress;
Lead and ensure relevant outcomes to WFP Drones from the established working groups: Operations Imagery Connectivity and Ethics with participants from Government Donors Academia and worldwide relevant foundations;
Address safety and data protection risks-associated to the integration of new technology define risk avoidance and mitigation actions ensuring WFP Data Protection guidelines for UAS Data Collection are followed in the different type of drones activities;
Lead and coordinate Drones Advocacy activities including 2024 UAS Strategy launch Drones Website publications public speaking factsheets and written material in collaboration with TEC Communications;

DELIVERABLES AT THE END OF THE CONTRACT

2024 UAS Strategy developed execution plan defined and operationalized along the year;
Comprehensive project plans for all UAS funded activities and related implementation including negotiation and finalization of contracts capacity-building exercises workshops trainings LTAs equipment procurement;
Expansion of partnerships through ALITE team in the Emergency Operations Division Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) and joint activities with other humanitarian entities;
Reports as required from Donors including all other forms of engagement to ensure they are informed on project progress;
Relevant outcomes to WFP Drones from the collaboration with internal and external stakeholders;
WFP Data Protection guidelines for UAS Data Collection followed in the different type of drones activities;
Drones Advocacy activity plan set and executed;
Information Systems Business and/or Project Management or any related discipline.
Experience: 10 years of experience in project management with 6 years in
Languages:
Excellent written and oral English including presentation skills; Excellent leadership and management skills including interpersonal skills to collaborate and influence internally with various stakeholders and subject matter experts across business functions levels and geographic areas;
Ability to plan and organize work programme; Strong creative problem-solving skills; agile flexible and patient; UAS Remote Pilot Certificate desirable;
Flexibility in accepting work assignments outside normal desk description including flexibility to travel from duty station on short notice to serve in remote areas or during emergencies for extended periods.
Fluency in oral and written English is required. An intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic Chinese French Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFPs working languages) is desirab

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