UN WOMEN Jobs - 44104- Engineering Coordinator SSA National

Engineering Coordinator SSA National

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

27-Feb-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Five months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women’s rights at the center of all its efforts, UN Women leads and coordinates United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It provides strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States’ priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
UN Women started its operations in Afghanistan in 2002 but from 2009 rent office space from UNOPS in the UNOCA compound in order to have all the programmes and administration staff in the same site. During 2009, there was sudden expansion of the programme accompanied by a corresponding increase in the number of international and national staff. This trend remains high as the restructuring of the office is in process that yields high costs of rent and common services, UN Women was faced with the need to have its own MORS compliant office premises. A plot of land had been acquired inside the UNOCA Compound for this purpose. The Engineering Coordinator under the overall guidance and supervision of the Deputy Country Representative will perform technical structural work in the review of the design and development of plans of the building. Control the bidding process and perform the role of project Manager during the implementation of the building project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Operations Manager the Engineering Coordinator will be responsible for the following tasks:
• Act as the project focal point for the ACO office building related matters, provide guidance and technical advices to UN Women on both design and supervision aspects of the project;
• Conduct preliminary site investigations to obtain field data such as site orientation, climatic conditions, soil characteristics, drainage and other data required.
• Oversee technical assessments, designs, Bill of Quantity, Cost estimation, drawings and preparation of technical specifications for the tendering of the ACO office building project in compliance with UN Women procurement rules and regulations.
• Assist in preparation of the bidding documents, evaluation of the quotations and elaboration of the contract document.
• Ensure that the design/layout for infrastructure work are gender sensitive and provide ease of access for the disabled.
• Carries out Infrastructure component assessments, design, planning, management, monitoring and oversight
• Manage the overall infrastructure works component and provide leadership and direction for the project contractor.
• Ensure proper planning and timely application of UN Women general conditions of contracts for civil work to enable compliance of the contractor.
• Collect and document site information in relation to contractor’s work including information on the contractor’s work force, weather, progress of work and any other related information.
• Check contractor’s claims and submittal against its accuracy and reality, and make recommendation to the supervisor
• Be responsible for the preparation and revision of project management documents such as bimonthly and monthly work plans as well as bimonthly project board reports.
• Supervise the planning and preparation of site monitoring schedules, site visit report ensuring that projects are completed within time and budgetary constraints.
• Review and Monitor Contractor performance and ensure that the project is delivered according to time and costs targets, at high quality standards. Take necessary steps to ensure timely completion of contractors’ work and control of project budget.
• Ensure that construction safety is observed by the contractor and alerts the contactor about violations and advises to the Senior Irrigation Engineer accordingly.
• Environmental controls are implemented to prevent pollution of the soil, air, and ground water, and least disturbance is caused to soil and vegetation as per approved project EMP guidelines.
• Ensure Project Health and Safety Plans and Traffic Control plans are strictly implemented.
• Report all errors, omissions, discrepancies and deficiencies to supervisor and record them on the construction site registers.
• Ensure accurate management of planned capital expenditures. Negotiate and manage project costs and changes.
• Monitor and document progress on the construction site through site visits, reports, job meetings with the general contractor/design team.
• Maintain accurate and consistent electronic files and documentation.
• Perform other construction management related duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

• Proven ability to solve contract, security and administration issues within the established design context.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines without compromising design intent or internal relationships.
• Working knowledge of budget preparation and the proven ability to manage projects within budgetary constraints.
• Ability to develop, maintain and supervise accountability systems for materials and services;
• Good knowledge of UN rules and regulations;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present sensitive issues/positions and to write reports and technical decisions quantitatively justified

Required Skills and Experience

Education
• Advanced University/Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. A First Level University Degree with combination of academic qualification plus an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced degree.

Work Experience
• At least 5 years’ experience in direct management of the real estate projects including budget control, estimation, design and construction coordination, security approvals and project scheduling.
• At least one year relevant experience with international organizations preferably with UN.
• Comprehensive knowledge of materials, furnishings and construction methods related to office and accommodation design.
• Working knowledge of building systems and codes.
• Advanced skills using a project management software application, MS Project is preferred.
• AutoCAD skills.

Language:
• Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required.
• Spoken Dari and/or Pashto is essential.