Material (QA/QC) Engineer

Job Description

Background

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in Afghanistan is responsible for implementing a number of projects on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan and the aid donor community. The Afghanistan Operation Centre (AGOC) has been set up as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the Implementing Agency/Consultant.

The National Rural Access Program (NRAP) is one of the most important National Priority Programs (NPP) of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is donor funded. The primary focus of the program is the rehabilitation, (re-) construction and maintenance of District and Rural Roads network in all 34 provinces of the country. From 2003 to present UNOPS has been providing assistant to the Ministry of Public Works and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in the rehabilitation of rural transportation infrastructure through the provision of quality engineering services and accountable management for the program, and to build the capacity of MPW and MRRD counterparts to plan and manage similar projects in the future.

The current component under NRAP is the National Emergency Rural Access Project (NERAP) for which UNOPS has been selected as the Implementation Consultant (IC). The targets under NERAP are (a) to accelerate the capacity building initiatives within the MPW and MRRD, (b) the rehabilitation and reconstruction of around 2000 Km of selected District and Rural Roads, (c) the implementation of the Ministries maintenance strategy, including emergency repair works, (d) provision for environmental and social management plans, monitoring and maintenance, and (e) project implementation support for both works and non-works.

UNOPS’ responsibility as the IC for NERAP is to provide technical assistance to the Programme Implementation Units (PIUs) of the two executing Ministries (MRRD & MPW) through quality assurance, overall project governance services and capacity building to national consultants and civil servant counterparts. For the NERAP project, UNOPS will recruit a Material Engineer to support the MPW PIU with implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities
The Material (QA/QC) Engineer will have sound knowledge in the variation of materials and material testing and will have general responsibility for the following:

•The incumbent will support QA Unit within the MPW-PIU in implementing programs that supports the rehabilitation of roads and infrastructure in Afghanistan;
•The incumbent will be responsible for the quality assessment of materials, by conducting frequent laboratory tests;
•The incumbent will have a high focus on strengthening the institutional knowledge of implementing ministries through capacity building in the project;
•The incumbent will be responsible for quality awareness training of national capacity;
•The incumbent will be responsible for quality assurance training and development of national capacity, ensuring specific quality standards are constantly met at all levels of the project;

Specific responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

Managerial
•Review Technical Specifications and recommend Standard construction specification for all items of works for their effective use in the Project works.
•Drafting the guidelines for Sub-Project Quality Assurance in the field;
•Prepare all ‘Standard Test forms’ to be used in laboratory for test.
•Prepare QA testing schedules and procedures;
•Take budget constraints into account, in all new and reconstruction programs undertaken by UNOPS.
•Develop Plan and Systematic action necessary for the projects.

Construction and Materials Supervision
•Set up and management of regional Laboratories facilities; including procurement of Laboratory equipment and registration and dissemination of assets throughout the country;
•Carry out the necessary supervision required for field work, emphasis on standardization works‘DBST’ works and Bituminous Pavement;
•High focus on the supervision of the ‘Asphalt Plant’ during construction work;
•Material sources – Scheduling of tests and evaluation of results;
•Review the existing practice by Contractor and conventional methodology and make recommendation, where remedial action is required
•Conduct initial Survey Queries on sources of material, ensure quality and quantity is of economical value to the project
•Carry out testing on all types of construction materials Aggregates, Cement, Bitumen, Reinforcement etc.
•Inform Engineers and Contractors of any material or equipment that fails to meet the necessary requirements

Training and Capacity Building
•Prepare the “Training Manual” for construction of different types of pavement surfacing
•Developing and coordinating the delivery of training to national staff, and national consultants working in the filed of Material Testing, Quality Assurance and Quality Control;
•Training and design of concrete mix components related to different classes of concrete, for the different types of structural requirement;
•Training in asphalt mix design and Construction practice.
•Liaise with the Regional Engineers and engineers on a testing program to avoid delays on the execution of work;
•Develop National capacity through the recruitment of engineering students; provide guidance and training on international quality standards an testing procedure.

Required Selection Criteria

Competencies

•Ability to review and re-schedule according to construction methodology, as per field condition requirements and in accordance with quality assurance & quality control.
•Be a good mentor, capable of working with others in a participatory and capacity building manner.
•A thorough understanding of the relationship between manuals and field practices.
•Competent in mastering technical testing equipment and supply feedback in detailed report format
•Knowledge of MS Office including MS Word, Excel, Access and as well engineering programs/software

Language

•Fluent English both written and spoken. Knowledge of Dari, Pashtu or other regional languages is an advantage.
•Excellent writing skills

Education

•Masters degree in Civil Engineering or related fields. A Combination of first level University degree plus 5 years of relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of advanced University Degree.

Experience

•5 to 10 years of related experience with road and bridge construction work, particularly for material testing;
•Minimum 5 years progressively responsible experience in QA/QC management, Laboratory testing, and a firm understanding of the requirements and specification of testing and materials.
•Demonstrated experience in construction using different types of pavement surface;
•Demonstrated experience in pre-stressing grouting works & quality control.
•Experienced in different classes of concrete mix-design, under different condition of construction procedures.
•A combination of experience in developed and post-conflict countries;

Submission of Applications

Qualified candidates may submit their application, including a letter of interest, complete Curriculum Vitae and an updated United Nations Personal History Form () English Version or French Version, via e-mail to
Kindly indicate the vacancy number and the post title in the subject line when applying by email.

Additional Considerations

- Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
- Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
-Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
-UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a level below the advertised level of the post.

For more information on UNOPS, including its core values and competencies, please visit the UNOPS website at .