UNDP Jobs - 89065- International Consultant: Quality Assurance/Constr

International Consultant: Quality Assurance/Construction Site

Location :

Home-Based and Monorovia, LIBERIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

13-Jan-2020

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

50 Days Spread over four Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

50 Days Spread Over Four 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

The United Nations Development Programme and National Elections Commission (NEC) work in partnership with the European Union, Ireland, Sweden and Canada to support the strengthening of the electoral system in Liberia. Our partnership is based on recognition that credible democratic elections are essential for development. Since 2015 the Support to the 2015-2018 Liberia Elections cycle project, extended till May 2020, has provided important support and assistance to the election commission. A key principle in the project’s approach is based in the idea that the electoral assistance is most effective and sustainable when it works throughout the electoral cycle strengthening national institutions, building national capacity and capabilities in the field of elections. Following consultation in the post-electoral period, one of the project activities in 2019/2020 will be renovation and construction of NEC warehousing facilities at headquarters and in 19 district election offices. The activity is to support the integrity of the electoral process, notably the security of electoral materials stored in the NEC HQ and its magisterial warehouses. Due to budget constraints, the activity will be implemented in phases. In the first phase (contracts to be issued by the end of 2019), UNDP is seeking to construct or renovate 5 lots (12 warehouses), including NEC warehouses in 1) Sanequelle and Tapeta; 2) Kakata, Totota, and Gbarnga; 3) Bopulu, Robertsport, and Tubmanburg; 4) Buchanan and Cestos; and 5) Voinjama and Kolahun. In the second phase, contingent on the availability of funds, the contract will be awarded at the beginning of 2020, to rehabilitate two additional warehouses in Brewerville and Bensonville. The work has to be completed no later than mid-May 2020. The timeline for construction is anticipated for 2.5 – 3.5 months for each warehouse (various lots will be done in parallel).

The UNDP procurement process for the construction companies has been launched and contracts are expected to be awarded by Mid December 2019. In anticipation of the contract awards, UNDP is seeking the quality assurance consultant / construction site inspector to ensure he / she is in place during the key parts of the construction process to ensure that the construction is conducted in compliance with the UNDP contracts to the sufficient quality.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) and Project Management, in close cooperation and consultation with the National Civil Engineer, the Consultant will provide quality assurance for the construction and renovation of 12 to 14 warehouses of the NEC including generator room and fences. The construction work is anticipated to end no later than April 2015.

The consultant is expected to perform the following responsibilities:

Conduct joint assessment of various sites under renovation or construction to get acquainted with the required procedures and materials.
Digitally or manually test materials and approve/reject before use by the contractor.
Together with the local site inspector and contractor, develop a monitoring plan to be approved by UNDP. Indicate the milestones for evaluation and ensure timely reporting to the UNDP.
Conduct three visits to Liberia and to the project sites, as per the approved evaluation and monitoring plan.

Provide quality expertise in the field of engineering, including assessment and evaluation of project, site visits based on the monitoring and evaluation plan agreed by the UNDP.
Monitor ongoing works to ensure quality control and prepare certificate of works by national engineer; prepare monthly reports, including photos of construction sites/ renovation and milestone achievement.
In coordination with the local engineer or site inspector, ensure Contractor’s compliance with Contract Specifications.
Review contractors’ milestones and make appropriate recommendations on the quality of the work at the end of each milestone to the UNDP CTA and the project team, to include recommendation for payment etc.
Prepare a final report on the activities, including lessons learnt, challenges and recommendations.
Maintain effective communication with the Project CTA and designated focal person on warehouse rehabilitation.
Bring to the attention any deviations from the contract and issues requiring attention.
Ensure that the construction is proceeding according to the plan. Seek solutions if the action is not progressing according to the timeline and UNDP contract, constantly discuss with the UNDP CTA and the Project Team.
Perform any other tasks deemed necessary in relation to the construction oversight and quality assessment.

Reporting

The reporting will be conducted on the basis of the evaluation plan and identified milestones, to be developed at the beginning of the consultancy. The reporting will focus on the regular progress report, spot reports in cases requiring immediate recommendation or action, provision of early warning on potential problems critical to the work.

Final comprehensive report is to be submitted to the UNDP at the end of the action

Key deliverables

Monitoring and evaluation plan, with milestones to be met during the construction work [Home-based; UNDP will provide relevant contracts and context] with 14 days from the contract award
Joint assessment of construction and renovation sites (in collaboration with a team of site inspectors including the NEC Engineer and the local site inspector at the end of the first milestone) Certificate of works by national engineer. First quality assurance report, including photos of construction sites/ renovation and milestone achievement [in Liberia] 1st-2nd month (based on identified milestones)
Joint assessment of construction and renovation sites (in collaboration with a team of site inspectors including the NEC Engineer and the local site inspector at the end of the second milestone) Certificate of works by national engineer Second quality assurance report, including photos of construction sites/ renovation and milestone achievement [in Liberia] 3rd month (based on identified milestones)
Joint assessment of construction and renovation sites (in collaboration with a team of site inspectors including the NEC Engineer and the local site inspector at the end of the second milestone) Certificate of works by national engineer. Third quality assurance report, including photos of construction sites/ renovation and milestone achievement [in Liberia] 4th month
Final comprehensive report on all activities, outlining lesson learnt, accomplishments and recommendations, to be submitted to UNDP [Home-based] within two weeks from the completion of the assignment

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

Good knowledge of UNDP procurement policies to effectively assess compliance with the contracts;
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;
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills;
Capable of working under tight deadlines and delivering on time.
Sound civil engineering judgment, impartiality, diplomacy and discretion.
Proven ability to establish priorities and to plan, organize, coordinate and monitor own work plan and provide advice to others, resourcefulness, sound judgment and decision-making skills;
Demonstrated judgment in resolving issues/problems; ability to proactively seek and recommend sound technical/engineering advice;
Ability to actively seek to improve programmed/services, offer new and different options to solve problems/meet client needs;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Ability to work with others to reach mutually benefiting and lasting understandings;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Ability and acceptance to work in rural communities with basic infrastructure and possibly difficult living conditions

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree (or its equivalent) preferably in civil engineering/construction or architecture.

Experience

Minimum of 5 years’ experience in engineering/construction design and monitoring/supervisory responsibility within the infrastructure and engineering field;
Knowledge of International and local standards related to Structural and Civil Engineering and Architecture;
Experience working in rural communities
Detailed knowledge of construction process in Liberia;
Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of construction projects.
Experience in development work, partnerships and team building is an asset.
Experience with construction projects in Liberia and other post-conflict settings is an asset.
Previous relevant working experience with UN or other international organization is an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Conditions of the contract

The consultant is required to conduct quality assessment of the construction project including three travels to Liberia and to the relevant sites.

Travel and DSA for overnight stay will be paid in accordance with UNDP standards and rules and on the basis of location.

The consultant should have own laptop and other relevant equipment needed to deliver the required task and prepare reports.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments shall be done upon verification and completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

(Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Personal CV or P11 including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
(blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);
Cover Letter, outlining the main methodological approaches planned for the assignment
Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the assignment
Two (2) samples of previous work (in English) similar to the assignment (links can be shared as well)

Technical proposal:

Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

Award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial * Technical Criteria; [70 points]

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points

Criteria

Technical skills, given by qualifications and training record (Master’s degree (or its equivalent) preferably in civil engineering/construction or architecture 15 points
Overall experience in the provision with the services given above 35 points
- ( 5years experience in engineering/construction, design with in infrastructure and engineering field) 10 points
- Knowledge of International and local standards related to Structural and Civil Engineering and Architecture; 10 Points
- Detailed knowledge of construction process in Liberia, and working in rural communities 10 Points
- Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of construction projects and experience with construction projects in Liberia and other post-conflict settings is an asset. 5 points
Adequacy of competencies & skills responding to the Terms of Reference, (TOR) 20 points
Methodology relevance to the TOR 30 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.