UNDP Jobs - 49030- Expert in Civil Engineering

Expert in Civil Engineering

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Other

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Aug-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Other

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

4 Months

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

In the framework of the “Support to General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), to oversee the strategic planning priorities of the state of Kuwait’’ project, UNDP and GSSCPD are working jointly to ensure an enabling and conducive environment for the implementation of the national development plan.

Within this context, the State Minister of Planning and Development is seeking the support of a civil engineering expert to enforce the capacity of the office of H.E the State Minister of Planning and Development, and to support and oversee engineering project on a country wide scale.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant shall be entrusted with tasks related to enforcing the capacity of the Office of H.E. the Minister of Planning and Development. The main duties of the consultant shall include the following:

To assess and develop the strategic framework for the office of H.E the State Minister of Planning and Development in terms of technical and administrative requirements.

The Administrative requirements include:

Setting up general administrative policies and engineering criteria in addition to following up progress and achievement of targets;
Assessment of prolonged completion of current projects and preparing a functional plan for resolving current problems and bottlenecks;
Develop interim strategies and practices to suit future managerial requirements.

Set up guidelines and criteria for prequalification of engineering consulting firms to be invited for carrying out the required assignment, and evaluation of tenders submitted by consulting firms. This process is conducted based on the national and international accepted norms adopted by prominent international funding and development agencies in line with the general legislative and administrative policies and practices, including safety and transparency, adopted in Kuwait.

Review of projects engineering designs and financial condition.

Assist with setting up a data base structure for categorizing, monitoring, evaluation and qualification of local engineering consulting firms. Develop procedures for prequalification, criteria and contracting.

The Technical requirements include:

Develop a technically sound framework for drafting the terms of reference (ToR) in connection with respective implementing agencies for the execution of government projects, including improving and setting up the structural plan for consulting firms;
Draft and review tender documents including letter of invitation and specific conditions, and following up the tendering process including initiation and launching tenders;
Review and approve special and general conditions of contract for consultancy services;
Follow up project progress along with the implementing agency;
Review and approve variation orders issued by contractors and consultants.

Deliverables:

The consultant shall produce relevant documents pertaining to the tasks stated above. These shall include the following:

Correspondences with respective government agencies including preparing supplementary technical documents;
Formulate the general framework for drafting the Terms of Reference;
Qualitative input in developing and improving project engineering designs;
Frequent and ad hoc development of tender documents for consultancy services and conditions of contract;
Reporting problems and corrective actions and procedures related to project implementation and progress;
Prepare memos revealing legal and technical opinion for projects variation orders;
Prepare a guideline and criteria for prequalification of engineering consulting firms and periodic evaluation and updating.

Submit periodic reports to the Office of H.E. the State Minister of Planning and Development.

Competencies

Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of GSSCPD;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
Remains calm and in control even under pressure;
Demonstrate openness and ability to deal with change.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Kuwaiti national with a bachelor degree in civil engineering;
A higher degree is an advantage.

Experience

A minimum of 25 years of experience in a relevant field;
Experience in developing project economic feasibility studies;
Experience in developing project visions and strategies (particularly large scales);
Experience in project arbitration and mitigation;
Some experience in BOT, BOO, PPP projects;
Analysis of variation orders, particularly for large projects;
Expertise in structural design, contracting and supervision areas for governmental projects.

Additional favorable expertise:

Document and information management and analysis;
Value engineering;
Technical writing;
Quality control and quality assurance for construction projects;
Legal expertise in the fields of local and international construction contracts;
Some knowledge in urban and master planning.

Language

English and Arabic.

Work Arrangement:

The consultant will be based in the Office of H.E the State Minister of Planning and Development at GSSCPD, and will be working under the direct supervision of the Office of H.E the State Minister of Planning and Development, guided by UNDP and GSSCPD.