Background

NOTE: The type of contracts is Individual Contract under Framework Agreement - The contract does not form a financial obligation or commitment from UNDP at the time the IC is signed, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive (i.e., it does not prohibit UNDP from entering into another such framework agreement with another individual or entity). Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of IC, through the agreed triggering document that signals commencement of a given engagement. UNDP may sign IC agreement with more Consultants.

As part of its three key areas of work (Environment, Governance and Social Inclusion), UNDP is constantly expanding activities that involve construction interventions. A wide range of construction projects are either under implementation or are anticipated to start in the upcoming period. The most common types of construction works UNDP is currently implementing include: hydraulic structures (e.g., dams, river regulations, irrigation and drainage canals, water supply systems, sewerage networks and wastewater treatment plants), transport infrastructure (e.g., roads, streets, bridges, culverts), (re)construction of public buildings (schools, kindergartens), one landfill and number of other structures.

For each of the construction projects, UNDP, in line with the pertaining national regulations, hires the key contractors for design, review, construction and supervision. However, aiming to further expand the internal capacity for management of construction projects, UNDP wishes to hire a long-term Hydroengineering experts with extensive previous experience in planning, tendering, contracting, executing and supervising infrastructure projects.

Her/his main role will be to provide technical assistance in: a) drafting Terms of References for hiring design, review and supervision companies; b) preparing the tenders (independent review of technical specifications, Bill of Quantities and drawings produced by designers and their adjustment for tendering purposes; defining qualification requirements, licensing needs and other); c) evaluation of the bids as required (participate in evaluation committee as an observer with an aim to provide expert advice to the members of the evaluation committee on issues related to his/her domain of expertise); d) setting up ground for execution of works (e.g., provide support to review of work-plans, keeping records of the construction works, as required, in addition to the functions performed by the respective supervising engineers); e) communication with the selected contractors on technical issues as mandated by the respective Project/Programme Managers; f) additional review of interim and final payment certificate prior to processing of payments.

S/he will be expected to provide additional control over the produced documentation and compliance of completed works with the highest quality standards. S/he will work under direct supervision of the Project/Programme Managers of the respective units of UNDP, and in cooperation with the project team and the stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

The Hydroengineering experts will provide expert support to different UNDP projects/programmes that include construction /hydro works. S/he will provide high quality expertise in the Drafting Terms of reference for selection of the companies for engineering designs, supervision or review of designs in Macedonian and in English, assist in planning, tendering, evaluation, monitoring and execution of the construction works. S/he will also assist the communication with the key actors in the construction projects (e.g. contractors, supervising engineers, authorities and others), reviewing the information of the completed works (interim and final payment certificates) and controlling the quality and timeliness of the executed works as required, in addition to the functions performed by the respective supervising engineers.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the respective Project/Programme Managers, and in close cooperation with the project team and the relevant authorities, the Hydroengineering expert will undertake the following specific tasks:

Provide support in drafting TORs, SoWs and qualification requirements for tender documents

• Familiarize with the existing and planned construction projects based on review of technical documentation, site visits and meetings with relevant stakeholders;
• Advise on the national legal requirements and procedures, international standards applicable to construction works;
• Advise on qualification requirements for selection of the Bidders (relevant qualification requirements, educational background, relevant authorizations and licenses applicable to national low, and knowledge of the local market and its research before recommending criteria for evaluation
• Independent review of the BoQ and Internal price estimates upon request and confirmation of their relevance

Provide support in improving the quality of different technical documents (e.g., conceptual and basic designs, feasibility studies, guidance documents for construction works), by review, editing (as needed), and communication with the contractors and authorities.

• Support the preparation of the tendering documentation, including TORs for design, review and supervision contractors, as well as technical specifications and BoQs for construction works (e.g., by review/adjusting existing designs prior to tendering procedures);
• Visits to selected locations and desk review of technical documentation/inputs provided by the beneficiaries. The existing technical documentation should be reviewed and, if necessary, the existing documentation should be supplemented.
• It is important to emphasize that the solutions should be in accordance with applicable regulations.

Provision of technical support to Evaluation team during the tendering procedure

Consultant is expected to undertake the following:

- Review the technical documentation provided by the bidders through the tendering procedure.

- Review and analyze received financial offers and compare them with the cost estimates and current market prices for equivalent materials and type of works.

- Analyze budget feasibility for the proposed works.

- Review technical feasibility of proposed project (is the project in line with common construction standards and/or regulations).

Undertake quality assessment and monitoring of the works

- Conduct field visits to the locations during the period of works in order to actively oversee execution of the works by the chosen company.

- When and if needed, provide technical advisory and/or hold site meetings with the contractors, UNDP engineer and provide written feedback to the Project Team.

- In coordination with the Project Manager and UNDP engineer, review and arbiter on eventual requests concerning increase of quantities of the works or additional works.

- Coordinate and manage final inspection of the completed works.

- Provide status reports to the Project Manager upon each visit to the sites.

- Provide final report for each location.

- Monitor the execution of construction works and report on all technical issues including but not limited to timeliness, quality, compliance with technical specifications and contract conditions with an aim to alert UNDP on any irregularities and potential problems, etc.;

- Additional review (in coordination with the respective supervising engineers) of the interim/final payment certificates before payments are authorized;

- Provide on-demand support on any relevant issue related to the construction works raised by the project management.

- When and if needed, provide technical advisory and/or hold site meetings with the contractors, UNDP engineer and provide written feedback to the Project Team.

- In coordination with the Project Manager and UNDP engineer, review and arbiter on eventual requests concerning increase of quantities of the works or additional works.

Main Outputs/Deliverables

The Hydroengineering experts will be responsible for producing the following outputs (deliverables):

• Reports from the review of the technical documentation
• Interim Reports on the main findings/recommendations upon finalization of each substantial phase/part of the works under Contract
• Draft Terms of References (for design, supervision, review) for hiring different contractors as required
• Other technical reports as required (e.g., input to the Lessons Learnt log)

Competencies

Core competences

• Communications and networking skills;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team;
• Strong interpersonal and negotiating skills;
• Sound judgment and discretion
• Presents information in a clear and articulate manner

Technical/Functional Competencies

• Experience from similar assignments (as supervising engineer, site engineer, resident engineer, construction projects superintendent, construction engineering consultant, construction contract manager)
• Knowledge of national regulations regarding management of construction projects
• Knowledge of international standards for construction projects (e.g., FIDIC), as well as experience from EU and other donor funded construction projects
• Knowledge of UN, EU, WB, procedures for tendering and  managing construction contracts is considered a strong asset
• Communication skills in a complex multi-stakeholder environment in construction projects
• Ability to work under time pressures and considerable work-load
• Ability to successfully perform field/site supervision duties and desk reviews and analyses
• Report writing abilities
• Knowledge of UNDP’s procedures for tendering and  managing construction contracts
• Computer software knowledge – MS Office, MS Project, AutoCAD
• Knowledge of EU standards: Urban Waste Water Directive and Water Framework Directive as well as Environmental Impact Assessment rules

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• University degree in Civil Engineering- Hydrology. Advanced degree shall be considered an asset;
• Relevant Authorization issued by the Chamber of Architects and Engineers

Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience in various hydro engineering projects
• Record of participation in at least 7 relevant assignments/projects (e.g., as supervising engineer, site engineer, resident engineer, construction projects superintendent, construction engineering consultant, construction contract manager). The relevant construction projects would include: construction/reconstruction of water infrastructure, transport infrastructure, hydrological works, geotechnical works and similar.
• Minimum Authorizatioan B for construction, supervision and/or review of civil engineering projects according to the national regulations.
• Previous experience with EU, UN, WB etc implemented construction/hydro projects is considered an asset.
• Excellent communications, report writing and analytical skills.

Language

• Macedonian and English language proficiency.

Terms and Conditions

• Contract modality and duration

The The Hydroengineering experts will be hired under IC (Individual Contract) modality as per UNDP procedures for a period until 31 December 2021. A maximum of 100 expert-days are anticipated for the entire period of the assignment. Possible contract extension will be considered depending on funds availability and presence of construction projects. The contract does not form a financial obligation or commitment from UNDP at the time the IC is signed, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive (i.e., it does not prohibit UNDP from entering into another such framework agreement with another individual or entity). Financial commitments will only be established each time the services are requested within the scope of IC, through the agreed triggering document that signals commencement of a given engagement.

• Reporting

The expert will report to the respective UNDP Project/Programme Managers in charge of different construction projects. The produced documentation needs to be submitted in English and/or Macedonian language (case specific).

• Travel and other associated costs

The The Hydroengineering experts is expected to travel to the project sites as required. Cost for use of private vehicle for official authorized travel shall be reimbursed in accordance with UNDP rules and procedures. Authorized overnight stay will be paid in accordance with UNDP’s applicable rules and procedures if/when pre-approved by UNDP

• Payments schedule

The payment for the services will be in flexible time intervals, based on the accumulated number of used expert-days in line with previously assigned working packages and approved time sheets (to be certified by the respective Project/Programme Managers prior to the payments of the installments).

• Rendering of service within the period of contract

If there is a need for Consultancy services, UNDP Project Manager will send a request to the consultant using the standard form (Annex 1). The form should clearly indicate the deliverables expected, duration in days and eventual travel. The standard working day is considered 8 hours, if necessary daily fee will be pro-rated (in cases where less than 8h are spent).

Documents to submit

The Consultant is expected to provide the following:

• Offeror’s letter, as per the following form LINK
• Most updated CV with focus on required qualification as well as the contact details of at least three (3) professional references
• Reference list of relevant assignments/projects, position held and contact details of the clients (minimum 7 required)
• Copy of the license B for supervision and/or execution according to national regulations
• Financial offer in MKD expressed as daily fee for the services excluding travel related costs (part of Offeror’s letter )
• Application instructions:

Step 1:

• Click on the "Apply now" button
• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;
• Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload other required documents listed in the step 2;

Step 2:

Interested individual consultants must submit the documents/information listed in the “Documents to submit section” above.

The system will allow only one attachment. Therefore, please upload all required documents as one file.

Failing to submit any of these documents may result in disqualification of application.

• Evaluation procedure

The cumulative method will be applied in the evaluation of the applications. The contract will be awarded to the candidate achieving the highest cumulative score from the technical and financial parts of the proposal. The technical part accounts 70% of the total score and the financial proposal will account for 30% of the total evaluation score.

FINANCIAL EVALUATION

Upon completion of the technical evaluation, the panel members evaluated the financial offer of the candidate that met the minimum threshold.

Price assessment:

• The offer with the lowest price receives the total of 30 points
• The other offer with higher prices receives the respective score according the following formula:                                                                                             

                                                              Lowest Bid

                                                30    x       ----------------

                                                              Proposed Bid

Individual contract is awarded to the candidate with the highest cumulative score based on the technical and financial evaluation.