UNDP Jobs - 60330- National Civil Engineer

National Civil Engineer

Location :

Mogadishu, SOMALIA

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Dec-2015

Application Deadline :

05-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

SC-10

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One Year

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

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Somalia works with partners to achieve the goal of a peaceful and secure nation in which every Somali has the opportunity to build a better life. It supports Somalis to build peace, reconstruct their infrastructure and rebuild their institutions.

UNDP supports Somalis through Democratic Governance, Rule of law and security, Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection, human development and economics and the fight against HIV/AIDS programmes. In each of areas, UNDP Somalia designs projects, in line with the Somali Compact, that contribute to real, measurable improvements in the lives of the Somali people. UNDP often works with non-governmental organizations, civil society and government partners to develop these projects.

As part of the overall framework of UNDP Country Programme for Somalia, the Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection (PREP) programme responds directly to, and is consistent with, the guiding frameworks, strategies and plans at national and global levels. The programme is designed to have a medium to long-term development approach with capacity development of planning institutions, livelihoods improvement, economic recovery, private sector engagement, sustainable natural resources management, disaster risk reduction, building resilience to climate change and formulation of policies and legal frameworks central to all its interventions.

Over the past years the overall numbers of civil works and rehabilitation assignments completed by UNDP Somalia has increased significantly, not only in volume and scope, but also into more complex site areas in Somalia. On this background the UNDP-Somalia/PREP Programme is enhancing in-house capacity to tackle with the projected civil works and is recruiting a National Civil Engineer, who will provide engineering support to the Chief Engineer and PREP team for ensuring the implementation of timely and high quality civil works and rehabilitation projects in all regions of Somalia.

The National Engineer will provide technical assistance and advisory support services, including the review of existing documentation related to civil works, evaluate associated risks, assess the compliancy with construction codes and local laws related to the civil works and construction, produce, revise technical drawings, prepare, revise Bill of Quantities (BoQ) and Cost estimates and other available documentation.

The National Engineer will be technically supervised by UNDP Chief Engineer and programmatically by the PREP Program Manager or designated Project Manager who maintains the overall responsibility of implementation of Civil Works project. The incumbent will be based in Mogadishu but is expected to make frequent travels to other office locations and to work proactively with other team members who consist of other regional engineers in Somalia and with other partner agencies.

S/he will be working closely with Environment & Energy Project, Local Economic Development for Somalia and Alternative Livelihood to Piracy Projects and other projects assigned on need bases. He will be responsible for the overall civil work related issues for the projects. He/she will also support the PM with oversight, monitoring, assessments, coordination of activities and maintaining a liaison with UNDP Country Office and relevant government and non-government organisations.

The National Civil Engineer must be able to develop and maintain viable working relationships with colleagues across the organization and with stakeholders and be able to work with them in a responsive client orientation and problem solving mode.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Project Manager, Environment and Energy, Poverty Reduction and Environment Protection Programme, and technical guidance from UNDP Chief Engineer, the national engineer will undertake the following duties:

Implementation of civil works activities;
Management of civil works procurement processes;
Implementation of sourcing strategies;
Facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing.

Provides analytical inputs to implementation of civil works activities focusing on achievement of the following results:

Analysis of information for preparation of civil works activities for the office and projects and monitoring of their implementation;
Apply standard engineering practices and precedents in the construction, maintenance, repair and liquidation of structures and facilities;
Apply commonly used engineering calculations, practices and precedents in completing portions of larger projects related to the construction or repair of buildings, roads, bridges, field defenses, and other related structures and activities in the field;
Assure the quality of civil works undertaken by partners and contractors through checking the contractors physical works, quality and quantity of works, based on drawings, specifications, notifying the contractor of any defects found and requesting additional testing as considered necessary;
Conduct preliminary site-investigations to obtain field data such as soil characteristics, drainage and other data required for building site selection;
Assist in developing technical data regarding materials, size dimensions, quantities and costs to be incorporated into formal specifications;
Estimate cost of repairs to damaged buildings, facilities and systems in order to determine whether repairs or replacement are feasible;
Liaise with Chief Engineer and PREP Project and Counterparts responsible for related specialized phases to arrive at mutually satisfactory approaches to problems through exchange and comparison of data;
Conduct investigations to develop improved construction techniques;
Produce cost estimates on engineering-related requirements of current and planned field missions;
Analyze project proposals to ensure technical feasibility and to ensure that project objectives are attainable within prescribed resources; Ensures continuous assurance of quality and quality control during the civil works construction process and independently verifies that all works are executed according to contract specifications and requirements.

Ensures efficient management and implementation of civil works procurement processes:

Prepare and submit weekly reports containing brief description of actual versus planned progress; problems encountered and resolutions; and comments on the quality of work and Contractor performance. The reports shall include physical progress of initial rehabilitation and construction works and data regarding the current financial status of the contract including a comparison of the contract amount and the estimated total cost of completion based on an up-to-date appraisal of actual versus estimated quantities and unit prices as amended;
Full compliance of procurement activities with UN/UNDP rules, regulations, policies and strategies; implementation of the effective internal control;
Review the programme submitted by the Contractor for the execution of the Works to establish whether the methods, arrangements, order and timing of the activities are realistic and coherent in relation to the conditions pertaining on the Site.

Ensures implementation of sourcing strategy focusing on achievement of the following results:

Assists in preparing bid documents and in managing the bid process for infrastructure projects and assessing quotations submitted by the contractors for carrying out variations; collect market rates regularly and prepare market rate analysis of all components of civil woks;
Development and management of the rosters of prequalified suppliers, elaboration of supplier selection and evaluation criteria, quality and performance measurement mechanisms.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Participation in the organization of training for the operations/projects staff on civil works procurement;
Synthesis of lessons learned and best practices in civil works procurement;
Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
Capacity building for Somali Ministry of Public Works Engineers when required.

Impact of Results

The key results will have an impact on the overall success of the specific areas of cooperation under the UNDP country programme. In particular, the key results will have a direct impact on the effectiveness on the design, implementation and outcome of key project activities results.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

Promotes knowledge management in project team and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

Ability to organize and coordinate results-oriented strategic and thematic evaluations;
Knowledge and understanding of evaluation and development evaluation in particular;
Good knowledge of current development issues particularly those pertinent to UNDP climate change practice areas. Ability to conceptualize issues and analyze data;
Good technical skills in measurement and evaluation, including grasp of methodological and operational dimensions and the ability to link corporate and country level issues;
Ability to coordinate the work of the team;
Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.

Management and Leadership:

Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Leads teams effectively and shows mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree in Civil Engineering.

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience including preparation of design, framing BoQs and site supervision;
Knowledge of project cycle management;
In-depth knowledge of UNDP/UN policies and programmes in crisis and post-crisis situations, and/or experience in Somalia is highly desirable;
Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web based management systems;
Excellent knowledge of AutoCAD and Chief Architect;
Ability to draft clear and concise reports;
Ability to establish priorities and to plan and coordinate work;
Good organizational skills and ability to work independently, multi-task and work and well under pressure;
Able to work in a team and also work with the government institutions.

Language:

Fluency in oral and written English and Somali is required.