Background

UNDP has been carrying out projects in the Cultural Heritage sites for conservation works under the auspices of the Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage (TCCH). These projects are funded by the European Union.  So far, several cultural heritage sites have been completed all over Cyprus from Paphos to Famagusta.

UNDP Cyprus is looking into contracting two Site Architect/Engineer. This assignment is to assist in the supervision of works contract/s for several Cultural Heritage projects located in the northern part of Cyprus.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Senior Programme Manager and the direct supervision of the Engineer/s of the contract/s, he/she shall be the Site Architect/Engineer and assist in the provision of daily supervision of restoration / conservation activities, shall liaise regularly with project staff of UNDP to ensure smooth support for the project/s and shall be accountable for the following tasks and responsibilities:

  • Study each project at the onset and draft an outline of items that may need attention.
  • Supervising the works in accordance with the contract documents and the procedures established by UNDP;
  • Supervising the works in accordance with the technical specifications, bills of quantities and drawings;
  • Ensuring the correct implementation of the works according to technical specifications, drawings, workmanship and quality of materials;
  • Review and advice to the Engineer and the Engineer`s Representative for the materials documentation, method statements, health and safety documentation, etc. submitted by contractors;
  • Assist in providing an assessment of any variation for approval of the Engineer
  • Check and test the completed works before they are covered by the contractor, taking photos and measuring/sketching;
  • Check and ensure that the site is arranged as per the site management plan and that all measures are taken for site safety and the safety of the third parties in the vicinity of the site.
  • Prepare list of materials for which the procedures for acceptance will be done.
  • Prepare list of tests that may be required and following these tests to be carried out and approved.
  • Ensure that the site is kept clean and tidy that all measures are taken for site safety;
  • Ensure that health & safety measures are adopted and followed to the full extent and with no deviation and if needed instruct additional safety measures;
  • Suggest additional safety measures if needed;
  • Take daily pictures and collating these in digital formats for the contract records and duly maintain an electronic library of photos of the progress of the works;
  • Check and verify quantities of works done and provide a report to UNDP for each payment certificate;
  • Report on the quantities of works prepared by the contractor – review each payments certificate of the contractors and assist in the verification of the quantities to the Engineer;
  • Collate all documentations for the payment requests for each statement (interim / final);
  • Monitor the workplans and inform the Engineer for any deviation;
  • Assist in the preparation of inspection for the substantial completion and snag list;
  • Maintain a filing system for all site memos and instructions, measured quantities of work and materials on site, reports and other documents and correspondence pertaining to the construction activities;
  • Collate the quality and operational documents in digital formats for the contract records and maintain an electronic library of the progress of the works;
  • Collate the quality and operational documents in digital formats for the contract records and maintain an electronic library of the progress of the work. The electronic library to be updated weekly basis.
  • Attend weekly and monthly site/office meetings and take minutes of meetings to be given to the Engineer.
  • Assist in the preparation of the completion event and technical site visit,
  • Attend weekly and monthly site/office meetings and take minutes of meetings to be given to the Engineer;
  • Submit daily supervision report, weekly and monthly site technical reports, weekly site meeting reports and the other relevant progress reports.
  • Ad-hoc reports on the findings of specific works or any other request.
  • Assist in reviewing of the designer team site visit reports.
  • Ensure that the daily records are kept on the site workbook; sign on the site workbook;
  • Inform the Engineer and the Engineer’s Representative of any problem which may arise with the Contractor;
  • Carry out any other tasks related to the works and the project given by the Engineer.
  • The site assistant may be assigned to more than one project site concurrently.
  • He/she will be required from time to time to assist the project staff in the UNDP-PMO office

Deliverables:

  • The consultant shall submit daily supervision report, weekly & monthly site reports, digital archive and the relevant progress reports to the Engineer/s of the contract/s; format and content will be provided.  Narrative parts of the reports must be written in good English and must be proof-read before submission.

Competencies

Other than the specific and technical competencies required in order to perform the duties described above, the following personal and general competencies will be needed:

Functional Competencies: 

  • Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing
  • Researches best practices and poses new, more effective ways of doing things;
  • Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

  • Understands the main processes and methods of work regarding to the position;
  • Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
  • Excellent analytical and document drafting skills and ability to gather, analyse and evaluate; data on technical aspects of Cultural Heritage preservation.

Promoting Organizational Development:

  • Demonstrates ability to identify problems and proposes solutions.

Client Orientation:

  • Reports to internal and external clients in a timely and appropriate fashion;
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
  • Establishes, builds and sustains effective relationships within the work unit and with internal and external clients.

Promoting Accountability:

  • Prepares timely inputs to reports;
  • Ability to plan own work and meet tight deadlines and to work efficiently with minimal direction.

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrate cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Demonstrates integrity by behaving according to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
  • Good communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills;
  • Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive attitude;
  • Good problem-solving skills; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; ability to plan own work and meet tight deadlines; attention to detail;
  • Self-disciplined with strong work ethic;
  • Partner in a team effectively and work as team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • BSc. degree in architecture or structural/civil engineering.
  • Master’s degree in conservation, architecture or structural engineering will be considered as an asset.

Experience and language requirements:

  • Minimum 5 years of post-university experience in construction field;
  • Minimum 2 years of site supervision experience in any capacity in any type of project;
  • Minimum 1 site supervision experience in restoration/conservation projects of stone buildings.
  • Previous working experience with the bi-communal / multi-cultural working environment is an asset.
  • Previous working experience with UNDP is considered as an asset

Language:

  • Fluency in spoken and written English and Turkish. Knowledge of Greek is an asset.

Other:

  • Valid registration/membership with the relevant technical/professional association.
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and experience in handling of web-based management systems.
  • Ability to travel to the project sites.
  • Individuals with valid local work permit. 

Evaluation / Selection Process:

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below.

Technical Criteria (CV review and interviews) – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points:

CV review: 30 points 

  • Educational qualifications and certifications as defined in the ToR (10 points);
  • Experience as defined in the ToR (20 points);

Only applicants who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV review (who will score at least 21 points) will be invited for an interview.

Desk Review/Interview: 40 points 

  • Relevant experience in site supervision experience of restoration/conservation projects of stone buildings (20 points)
  • Relevant practical experience in site supervision experiences in any type of project (10 points)
  • Knowledge of the construction context in Cyprus (5 points)
  • Relevant practical experience in the bi-communal / multi-cultural working environment (5 points)

Only those applicants who obtained at least 70% of points from the desk review/interview (28 out of 40) will be considered for financial proposal evaluation.

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

  • Financial scores will be calculated using the formula [lowest offer / financial offer of the candidate x 30].

UNDP applies the “Best value for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.
 

Application Process:

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

1. Motivation Letter: Explaining why the candidate thinks they are the most suitable for the work. A clear statement outlining their experience undertaking similar work. 

2. Personal CV including experience in similar projects. The interested candidates must submit their applications online. Correspondence (either in hard or soft format) will not be considered. 

3. Financial Proposal

4.References: Contact details of 3 references.

 

How to Submit Application

  • Merge your Personal CV, Proposals and other relevant documents into a single file 
  • Click on the Job Title 
  • Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, and click “Submit Application” 
  • Upload your application 
  • You will receive an automatic response to your email confirming receipt of your application by the system.

 

Financial Proposal:

Applicants requested to submit a daily financial proposal up to 108 working days (Up to 18 days per month) in Euro.  Financial proposal will specify the daily fee in EUR per working day on site and/or at the office (a day will be calculated as 7.5 hours of work and half an hour lunch break, total 8 hours). Regular working hours is from 8:00 to 16:00 if worked on site and from 9:00 to 17:00 if worked in the office.

The daily financial proposal should be given considering that the consultant will be working from site(s) within 80km distance from Nicosia, Cyprus. A day could be prorated with the hours worked. Traveling to and from the site will not be calculated as working hour.

Financial proposal shall cover all expenditures including fees, health insurance, vaccination, international (all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel) or local travel (place of residence to office and office to place of residence), cost of living and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services. Leave benefits (annual, sick, paternity, maternity) are not applicable to Individual Contractor and absent days including weekends and office holidays are not payable.

Interested candidates must submit daily fee considering the below criteria:

  • Up to 108 working days (up to 18 working days per month) will be required during the contract period/assignment; these working days should be arranged with the progress of the works and in consultation with the Engineer/s of the contract/s; The number of days that the consultant will be working will be determined with her/his supervisor and may not be the same number of working days for each month.
  • Time-sheets will be kept for the time worked on site and/or at the UNDP office.
  • The consultant(s) will work at the designated project sites and periodically at UNDP office upon request of the Engineer of the contract.
  • The consultant/s will be responsible to provide her/his own technical equipment (laptop, mobile phone, camera etc.

Other Information:

This is a non-staff contract under the Individual Contract (IC) modality of hiring of the UNDP. Individuals engaged under an IC serve in their individual capacity and not as representative of a government institution, corporate body or other authority external to UNDP. The incumbent shall not be considered as staff of UNDP, the UN common system or the government and are therefore not entitled to any diplomatic privileges or any other special status or conditions. The General Conditions of Contracts for IC is available on UNDP website at http://www.undp.org/procurement/documents/UNDP_GCC_IC_Final_English.pdf

Payment Terms: 

Payments will be completion after the submission of the monthly time-sheet, progress reports, weekly and monthly site progress reports, monthly activity report upon the approval of the UNDP.