Architect

Job Description

Provide technical assurance and architectural design expertise to ensure high-quality delivery, rigorous adherence to international standards and codes, and optimal spatial sustainability across all project components.

The UNOPS Myanmar 3PI Team is dedicated to building essential infrastructure, including WASH facilities, shelters, and health facilities in remote and hard-to-reach areas. Our interventions also encompass renewable energy solutions aimed at addressing gender and protection issues for marginalised populations in IDP camps. Additionally, the 3PI Team has procured and distributed medical supplies, essential non-food items (NFIs), and hygiene kits to remote hard-to-reach regions and areas in Myanmar. The 3PI Team is also implementing a program designed to assist displaced populations. The program focuses on fostering resilience and self-reliance among internally displaced persons (IDPs) and host communities.

** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **

This Vacancy Announcement is to establish a roster of qualified retainers available for potential short-term assignments within the UNOPS Myanmar Multi-Country Office (MMCO). Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract under which the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable on short notice within a specified period. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad hoc requests from UNOPS project teams, and the number of requests will vary depending on current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.

While the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an ICA retainer contract on project or assignment basis, UNOPS may offer on a need basis a full-time employment for a specified consecutive period of time (up to one year maximum) - with the possibility to go back and forth between the two contract modalities, pending acceptance of the incumbent of the assignments proposed to him/her.

This is a local position. Only nationals of Myanmar or persons in Myanmar with a residence and work permit are eligible.

The retainer will operate under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager or his/her assignees, providing technical expertise to support the design, implementation, supervision, and documentation of 3PI projects.

Responsibilities include providing essential architectural design, quality assurance, and technical coordination for specialised infrastructure projects within the Programme/3PI Unit, ensuring compliance with international best practices and local Myanmar building codes. 

The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all assignments under this job title. The specific tasks and deliverables for each retainer assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment. 

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees, the Architect will support the design, development and implementation of infrastructure components under the portfolio, in full accordance with UNOPS guidelines and procedures and other applicable national and international standards. 

This includes but is not limited to supporting the development and review of infrastructure designs, liaising with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the quality of designs, monitoring and assuring infrastructure quality during the construction phase, providing independent technical evaluation and recommendations to uphold the integrity of infrastructure implementation and participating in business development efforts as necessary. More specifically, the Architect will be accountable for the following: 

1. Technical Responsibilities

• Support the Senior Programme Manager and his/her assignees in ensuring the compliance of both the design development and implementation/construction phase with UNOPS regulations, as well as Myanmar national codes and standards, as necessary and oversee this process.
• Contribute to producing the requisite project deliverables, including comprehensive risk assessments on design documents, identify potential issues, and collaborate closely with project teams to formulate mitigation strategies that ensure project success.
• Foster effective communication and collaboration among diverse design disciplines, including architecture, structural engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, to ensure a harmonious, integrated design approach.
• Play a pivotal role in coordinating with design consultants and their performance during the design development phase, particularly in the domains of architectural, spatial sustainability, energy building efficiency disciplines, operations and maintenance, and Health and Safety considerations.
• Assist the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees, in providing technical expertise to the team in monitoring quality assurance design implementation/construction phase.
• Review equipment and material technical specifications to ensure adherence to quality standards.
• Explore and assess cost-effective design alternatives and opportunities for value engineering, aiming to optimise project outcomes in terms of cost, performance, and sustainability.
• Support the Senior Programme Manager and their assignees in coordinating technical design review approvals and in continuously evaluating and enhancing the design review process, streamlining workflows, and identifying potential areas for efficiency improvements to improve the overall efficacy of the design review function.
• Provide impartial technical evaluations and recommendations, devoid of any conflicts of interest, and uphold the integrity of technical opinions in the face of project pressures.
• Actively participating in progress reviews and project coordination meetings, and subsequently creating meeting minutes.
• When necessary, collaborate with the procurement team to assess bids and contribute to evaluation reports.
• Support business development efforts as necessary, including liaison with potential clients, preparation of preliminary cost estimates, preliminary design documentation, and other tasks as necessary.
• Undertake travels outside Yangon to other Duty Stations and projects sites in Myanmar, as required
• Execute any other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor.

2. Technical Documentation and Reporting

• Developing technical documentation and guiding projects in creating their designs.
• Generating comprehensive and accurate bills of quantity while keeping estimating rates up to date.
• Assist the Supervisor in preparing monthly and quarterly progress reports.
• Cooperating with fellow Infrastructure practitioners to collect and maintain construction data.

3. Knowledge sharing and management

• Engage in the project evaluation process by identifying and highlighting project-related challenges and actively participating in a continuous improvement cycle.
• Support in delivering training and knowledge transfer to national/contractor personnel, offering guidance on sound design, construction, and engineering practices, as well as promoting environmental management practices, sustainability and resilience measures and appropriate health and safety standards.
• Contribute to the dissemination and exchange of best practices and lessons learned to enhance development planning and knowledge development.
• Participate in relevant Communities of Practice, fostering interaction with fellow Infrastructure practitioners and the broader community to share case studies, lessons learned, and best practices through the Knowledge System.
• Provide constructive feedback to Practice Leads on policies and supporting guidelines to enhance UNOPS policies continuously.

The incumbent may be assigned additional relevant tasks as necessary to support project objectives and organisational goals.

Final Product

Deliver tasks delegated by the supervisor on time and as per the required cost and quality parameters. Ensure that the assigned project(s) are designed and implemented with high quality, adhering to applicable local, international, and organisational standards. Ensure adherence to relevant Health, Safety, Security, and Environmental procedures, as well as Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) measures throughout the project implementation, in line with the country’s PSEAH action plan.

About the Organization

United Nations Office for Project Services