UNDP Jobs - 45885- International Consultant, Independent Civil Engine

International Consultant, Independent Civil Engineer for Review of Detailed Technical Design

Location :

Home-based and Fushe-Arrez, ALBANIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

04-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 weeks during the period June – September 2014

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

The United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) in concert with the Albanian Ministry of Environment, as part of Environment and Security Initiative (EnvSec), implements the regional environmental programme dealing with remediation of environmental hot spots in the Western Balkans. The programme deals with mitigation of environment and human health risks caused by pollution from mining, i.e. more specifically through addressing acid mine drainage and improvement of the tailing dams at selected priority locations in the Western Balkans.

Based on the priorities identified by the Ministry of Environment in Albania, Fushe-Arrez mine site has been selected as a priority site for development of detailed technical design for remedial activities at the Fushe-Arrez tailings.

The Fushe-Arrez waste disposal enrichment plant started with its operations in 1976. From 1976 to 2001, more than 3 million tons of waste (3.103.361) have been deposited there. From 2001 until the end of 2013 additional 1.590.000 tons have been deposited. Thus, in total there are about 4.7 million (4.693.361) tons.
Wastes disposal is divided into two dams, the old one, No. 1, which belongs to the Albanian government (Ministry of Energy and Industry) and the new one, No. 2, which belongs to the Turkish company “Beralb sh.a”. Both are situated very close to the Big Fani River, only about 120 m far.
Tailings dam No. 2 is in a good condition, while the situation with the tailing dam No. 1 is very bad.

The dams are surrounded by a water diversion structure, which was originally put in place to divert runoff from the surrounding area. This structure (No. 1), however, is currently broken, due to the slope instability, and releases water on the top of the upper dam causing an important erosion of the tailings which are then transported into the Fani River.
Water from the upper tailings dam is discharged into the Big Fani River through the culvert originating from the dam’s decanting tower. At the culver outlet, however, and just before discharging into the river, this water mixes with:
-the runoff water collected by the mentioned diversion structure diverted from upstream of the new dam;
-the culvert water flow originating from the new tailings dam decant tower.

The stability of the tailing dams is reported to be considerably alarming (UNEP 2008) with water seepage taking place.
In addition, the area is affected by a significant wind erosion and transport with potentially significant respiratory problems for the people living and working in the surroundings.

Preparation of the Detailed Technical Design

Recruitment for a company to prepare the detailed technical design (DTD) for remediation activities in Fushe-Arrez Mine site is underway.

It is envisaged that formulation of the DTD and review can be done in co-ordination between the successful company preparing the design and the successful applicant responsible for reviewing and certifying the suitability of the design. To enable this to happen recruitment processes for design and review of the DTD are being run concurrently.

The draft version of the Main Technical Design is required within a maximum period of 5 weeks from the date of signing of the contract with an additional period of 4 weeks planned for incorporation of the relevant comments, suggestions and recommendations made by the reviewing consultant. Engagement of the reviewer will therefore follow a similar time.

Duties and Responsibilities

This position is required to review the Detailed Technical Design for remediation activities in Fushe-Arrez Mine site. Under the overall supervision of the Regional Programme Manager in UNDP Montenegro and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment, Albania, the expert is to provide all measures to ensure the detailed technical design is of a high competency and standard, in accordance with all relevant international and national standard and requirements, and fully costed in line with realistic market prices for the region. Works will include tasks review of the detailed technical design related to the civil works, evaluation of associated risks, assessing the compliance with relevant construction codes, local laws related to civil works and other relevant standard, revision of technical drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates and other relevant documentation. The expert is also expected to prepare reports as required.

Key Results Expected (non-inclusive list):

For review of the detailed technical design the following activities will be required:

To ensure and certify that the Final DTD meets the requirements established within the ToR and associated studies and is fit for purpose;
To familiarize with the laws, rules and regulations regarding civil works in the country where the work is being conducted and ensure the DTD meets these as required;
To review/revise technical drawings, specifications and Bills of Quantities (BoQ) of the necessary works prepared by the design company;
To analyse measures, quantities, and description of each item of the BoQ;
To analyse and review the unit rates/cost estimate in correlation with BoQs, provided by the design company, and to assess if these are realistic and in accordance with local market conditions;
To provide written report/s (certification) whether the BoQ is compliant with the level of services required.

All reports are to be submitted in English. Any tables with functional and statistical analysis of data and diagrams should be prepared in Microsoft Office Excel and the drawings in sophisticated CAD software with high graphical design definition. The reports on the Detailed Technical Design should be submitted, both as hard copies and a copy in an electronic format.

A minimum of one 2-day visit to the site were works are to be executed is envisaged, in accordance with the DTD.

Timing and reporting: This position will cover a total of 21 working days (out of which approximately 2 working days envisaged for the visit to the site, as indicated above). The period over which these man-days will be realised are linked to the development of the DTD. As previously stated a draft version of the Main Technical Design is expected within a period of 5 weeks from the date of signing of the contract with an additional period of 4 weeks planned for incorporation of the relevant comments, suggestions and recommendations made by the reviewing consultant.

Reporting plan:

The reviewer will report to the UNDP Regional Project Manager based in the UNDP Montenegro.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Excellent social, advocacy and presentation skills;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

The international consultants should have the following qualifications and expertise:

Education:

Minimum Bachelor degree in areas relevant for the assignment (i.e. Civil, Structural, Environmental Engineering);
A higher degree shall be considered as an asset.

Experience:

Minimum 10 (ten) years of professional experience in the field of mining/industrial remediation;
Previous and extensive experience as a design reviewer, preferably in environmental related construction works associated with industrial/mining hotspots and contaminated site remediation projects;
International experience shall be a strong asset;
Experience working effectively with people of different social backgrounds;
Previous work experience with UN organizations will be considered as an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement;

Application process:

Interested applicants are requested to submit their applications by May 4th, 2014 by using the Apply now button;
The application should contain a duly completed Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from
http://www.me.undp.org/content/montenegro/en/home/operations/jobs.html.

Only the short-listed applicants will be contacted and requested to submit a letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in EUR) requested for the work and travel envisaged in the section "Duties and Responsibilities".