Lead Civil Engineer (Retainer)

Job Description

Dutystation: Multiple duty stations in Tigray, Ethiopia

Functional responsibilities

The Lead Civil Engineer will be responsible for the below listed responsibilities.


1. Work package Performance, Delivery and Reporting:

• Support the Portfolio Senior Manager to develop and monitor Work Package implementation plans including:

  • Overall Infrastructure Work and plant system delivery plans, stage plans within tolerances set by the project board and in line with overall Project Plan

  • Quality Management Plans

  • Health & Safety and Social & Environment (HSSE) plans

• Support the Portfolio Senior Managerto manage the Project implementation and use of resources, and propose corrective actions as needed

• Actively support the Portfolio Senior Managerto ensure accurate and timely reporting of work package progress as well as conditions on site through daily/weekly site records.

• Prepare and submit to the Portfolio Senior Manager reports (weekly/monthly or as requested) detailing progress of work-package activities, quality control issues, resourcing and scheduling issues, and any other pertinent facts as required.

• Support the Portfolio Senior Manager to ensure stakeholders are aware of work package activities, progress, exceptions as required

• Identify and escalate issues and risks affecting work-package implementation and proactively contribute to mitigation and turn around planning as needed

• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the Portfolio Senior Manager in a professional and accurate manner.

• Contribute to monthly reports and quarterly assurance reports.

• Liaise with any external suppliers or other managers.

2. Feasibility study/needs assessment

Support the Portfolio Senior Manager:

• To Carry out Technical Assessments of infrastructure needs with recommendations for viable interventions

• to prepare presentations and reports on the findings of the conducted Technical Assessments

• To Manage technical studies required to support detailed design development (Geotechnical, Topographical, Hydrological etc.) and manage the performance of the retainers hired to prepare the design packages.

3. Design and Procurement Management

Assist the Portfolio Senior Manager:

• to outline design requirements (e.g. timeline) in full compliance with the Design Management Manual, including but not limited to engaging design services advising on requirements for design briefs, preparing design risk assessments, developing concept, and detailed designs as well as design review stages.

• to monitor and manage the design plan ensuring deliverables are available on time, and to the required quality.

• To review and verify the proposed design changes submitted by the design team

• To coordinate market research to inform the development of BoQ.

• To liaise with Environmental and Social Safeguards specialists to ensure mitigation plans are mainstreamed into detailed designs and tender packages where possible;

• To prepare tender documents, with particular focus on the technical documents (drawings, BoQ, technical specification and standards).

• to develop a procurement strategy for works procurement, and coordinate the implementation of the procurement plan on the PM’s behalf

4. Construction Management and Supervision

• Monitor contractors’ and suppliers set out and works, including compliance with contracts specifications and ensures that contractors and suppliers comply with their work plans to complete work with specified scope of work, time frame, and budget;

• Attend daily the project site(s) in order to monitor and supervise the progress of works in the targeted facilities, identify any existing problems, and provide technical appropriate solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the Portfolio Senior Manager;

• Responsible for preparation of progress reports on rehabilitation and infrastructure activities, according to the agreed timeframe of works and submission of such on a weekly basis to the Portfolio Senior Manager;

• Implement quality controls (QC) procedures, to ensure all infrastructure -activitiesare correctly initiated, managed, monitored, reported and closed in accordance with UNOPS policies and procedures;

• Assess and report on the project closing plans, archiving of cost and progress report and hand over all related reports to the Portfolio Senior Manager;

• Evaluate and assess works schedules and programmes, including the comparison with the schedule baselines and reports to the Portfolio Senior Manager accordingly;

• Where required, assist the Contractors to plan and coordinate monthly, weekly and daily construction activities including monitoring site safety and construction quality.

• Regularly review/ track construction progress, attend to contract breaches, interpret and communicate contract terms

• Review and facilitate processing of payment certificates, claims and or changes submitted by suppliers and contractors.

• Monitor and reinforce contractors compliance with the applicable Codes of Conduct through the construction period.

• Facilitate agreed communication protocols between contractors/suppliers and UNOPS are adhered to by all parties

• Prepare mission reports, technical recommendations and guidance to the PM and contractor to ensure cost effective works.

• Maintain tools for rapid updates and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures.

• Ensure the full implementation of UNOPS Health, Safety Social and Environmental (HSSE) policies during the construction stag, assess the risks and establish appropriate measures

• Review and periodically update quality management plan and associated documents.

Knowledge Management:

• Ensure highest standards of document management practices ensuring quality and complete archiving of project Infrastructure products

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in design of building infrastructure.

• Support the Portfolio Senior Manager in facilitating routine and effective capacity building activities aimed at building long-term and sustainable capacity for technical staff.

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of good practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

The effective and successful achievement of results by the LeadCivil Engineer directly affects the overall efficiency of the individual team’s provision of construction activities, impacting the team’s capacity to efficiently & effectively service the operational needs of the project. Timely and accountable delivery of services, ensures client satisfaction & promotes the image and credibility of the project team & office as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field is required.
• A Bachelor’s degree (first level) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management, or a related field, combined with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience, may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• Project Management certification (e.g., PRINCE2 Foundation and Practitioner) is desirable.

Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience working in infrastructure projects is required.
• Experience working in civil infrastructure and project management is an asset.
• Experience in designing civil infrastructure is an asset.
• Experience in Health and Safety, Social and Environmental management and protection is desired.
• Experience in Social & Environmental assessment and planning is desired.
• Experience in the supervision of construction activities and/or system plants is an asset.
• Work experience in post-conflict/fragile environments and hardship is desirable.
• Competence in the use of all commonly used computer software spreadsheets, scheduling tools, MS Project, Google Suite, AutoCAD, and other computer programs is an added advantage.
• Some experience in UN system organizations and/or in a developing country is desirable.

Language

• Fluency in written, reading, and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

About the Organization

TOGETHER, WE BUILD THE FUTURE

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.

Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

We are proud of our people and embrace diversity and are committed to equal employment opportunities. Our workforce brings together approximately 160 nationalities, represented by over 5,000 UNOPS personnel as well as some 7,800 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners. Spread across 80 countries from a range of backgrounds, and languages and have different gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities.

We encourage women and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS to apply. These include candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.