UNDP Jobs - 88942- Junior Civil Engineer

Junior Civil Engineer

Location :

Beira, MOZAMBIQUE

Type of Contract :

Service Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jan-2020

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

SB-4

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English Portuguese

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

Mozambique ranks 3rd amongst African countries most affected by weather-related hazards. It is the 7th most vulnerable country, ranked the 19th least prepared country on the Global Adaptation Index and among the top 40 in the World Risk Index.

On 14 March 2019, the country was severely hit by category 4 Cyclone ldai, which caused loss of life, widespread destruction to both infrastructure and shelters, as well as disruption of essential services, markets and livelihoods across the provinces of Sofala, Manica, Zambezia, Tete and lnhambane. About 950,000 persons were directly affected by the cyclone, out of which 53% are women. Death tolls surpassed 600 people according to the government.

In the aftermath of the disaster, UNDP promoted several early recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction actions in the affected areas and a recovery facility is being set up. More importantly, UNOP supported the Government in the organization of the international donor conference that took place at the end of May 2019 and partnered with the World Bank, the European Union and the African Development Bank for the realization of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA).

According to the PDNA, the largest needs appear to be in the housing sector with a total amount of USO 688 million. A total of 240,000 houses were partially or totally destroyed by hurricane ldai only. Fundamental socio-economic infrastructure at the community level was completely wiped out by the disaster with 1372 schools affected; 4,219 classrooms affected; 89 health facilities partially destroyed; 3 health facilities completely destroyed; 2 health training facilities partially destroyed; 116,476 M2 of fish tanks affected; 4,309 ha of irrigated lands needs rehabilitation. The impact of the cyclones on housing, water and sanitation facilities, health and education has increased the vulnerability of women and children, the elderly and people living with disabilities. With the destruction of health facilities, pregnant women have

limited access to safe deliveries. The risk of sexual and gender-based violence has also been elevated. Furthermore, the recovery burden is particularly difficult for female-headed households, including widows, who are both the income providers and the caregivers. They face difficulties in being able to simultaneously rebuild homes, serve as the primary caregivers and recover their livelihoods. The PDNA indicates that without possessions, livelihoods, poor access to services and marginalization there is a significant possibility that the feminization of poverty will increase in the country.

As highlighted by the Government of Mozambique during the international donor conference held in Beira in June 2019 and the PDNA, the rehabilitation of the affected infrastructure (both public and private} is key for the normalization of livelihoods of the affected population and the reestablishment and provision of basic services to the population.

In order to provide an effective response to the needs of affected population and in support of Government and population's efforts to recover back better, UNDP has opened an Office in Beira to respond to the emergency and, given the disproportionate impact caused on private and public infrastructure, UNDP has deployed significant surge capacities in community infrastructure rehabilitation and has been providing technical assistance to the Government of Mozambique to set up a strategy for resilient community infrastructure recovery.

As part of this strategy, the Government of the People's Republic of China has decided to support UNDP's Post-Disaster Restoration Initiative After the Impact of Cyclone ldai with the objective to build back better key damaged infrastructure.

In this scenario, UNDP requires the services of a Junior Civil Engineer to provide technical expertise and support the effective implementation of the program activities in the area of responsibility, in accordance with the corresponding project documents and within the existing budget and time constraints.

Duties and Responsibilities

The selected individual will work under the supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer/Project Manager and will support him/her in the effective implementation of the community infrastructure resilient rehabilitation program with particular reference to the Government of China-funded component. It is expected that he/she will spend at least 60% of his/her time on the field.

Under the supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer, the following general tasks and responsibilities are expected:

Conducts field visits and prepares assessments of rehabilitation/construction interventions, including budget and bills of quantities;
Provides Quality Assurance of project intervention, including activities implemented by contractors and implementing partners;
Reviews and assesses technical design documents for construction interventions, providing substantive technical inputs and quality assurance, as requested;
Provides effective support throughout all stages of the tendering processes; as requested;
Monitors and supervises the progress and adherence to plans, standards, schedule and budget of rehabilitation/construction works, including but not limited to schools, markets and housing;
Participates in meetings, as requested, providing technical inputs;
Provides general office support, as requested;
Contributes to provide training to local contractors for capacity building on Public Building Guidelines and Build Back Better principles.

The following are some of the specific tasks that will be conducted by the selected consultant:

1. Conducts field visits and prepares assessment of rehabilitation/construction interventions, including budget and bills of quantities.

Field visits to several potential locations requiring specific technical assistance and, based on performed assessment, recommend the best solutions for project implementation under guidance from Senior Engineer;
Prepares budget estimates based on the recommended solution for project implementation;
Prepares Terms of References {ToR) for detailed design for reconstruction/ rehabilitation of structures where needed.

2. Provides Quality Assurance of project intervention, including activities implemented by contractors and implementing partners, reviews and assesses technical design documents for rehabilitation/construction interventions.

Oversees the construction work done by partners and contractors, including the quality and quantity of the materials, construction techniques and works finishing;
As a minimum, the engineer should be on-site for the first visit to the site with the selected contractor, for major advances and for the provisional and final reception of contracted works;
Provides field inputs for Senior Engineer to certify that repairs and rebuilding is done in accordance with national Building Codes, Public Building Guidelines and Building Back Better principles to promote resilience;
Reviews and refines technical documentation and specifications (existing and future lay out, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) with estimation of costs, technical description, design and specific drawings;
Provides technical support to procurement processes under the project.

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 a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office;
In-depth knowledge on development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more;
Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.

Management and Leadership

Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Leads teams effectively and shows conflict resolution skills;
Development and application of quality assurance mechanisms for due planning, design and implementation of activities;
Reporting process management including writing, commissioning and reviewing reports and communicating results among relevant partners and stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

BSc in civil engineering from a recognized university;
MSc/MA in civil engineering or related area;
Professional licensure in areas of civil or structural engineering would be an asset.

Experience:

Minimum 3 years of professional experience in design and construction of civil infrastructure, including schools, markets and/or housing;
Experience in development of technical project documentation as well as construction supervision;
Knowledge of and experience in operational modalities and procedures of UNDP and/or UN system would be an asset;
Good knowledge and understanding of the National and Provincial Public work modalities and by-laws regulating the construction of public facilities, technical regulations, general and special technical conditions and professional codes;
Proficiency using AutoCAD.

Language:

Fluency in English and Portuguese.