Job Description
Drive infrastructure projects to success by providing technical expertise, ensuring quality, and managing site operations effectively.
UNOPS has been selected as the main implementing partner on an ongoing peace project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The bilateral programme “Fund for Peacebuilding - FCP ” (Fond de Consolidation pour la Paix), which has been supported by the German Government through the KfW (German Devoleppement Bank) Development Bank since 2007, is intended to continue to help promote lasting peace, particularly in Kinshasa with PVJ (Prévention contre la Violence Juvénile) activities and in the eastern DR with FCP. The project rationale is centered around supporting the peace efforts and initiatives in Eastern DRC through social infrastructures to: 1. Facilitate access to social services and economic opportunities for the beneficiaries, and 2. Use the infrastructure as a way to build and/or reinforce peace and social cohesion within communities and regions, which will ultimately provide further economic and social opportunities for the targeted regions. For the Prevention of Juvenile Violence component in Kinshasa, the focus is on preventing youth violence and strengthening social cohesion through improved youth infrastructure, vocational training, support for entrepreneurship, and access to social services and community activities.
The Senior Associate Construction Management Engineer supports the implementation and oversight of infrastructure projects through the provision of technical expertise, quality assurance, and effective site management. The incumbent ensures that construction activities are executed according to design specifications, schedule, safety and environmental standards. The role involves close coordination with contractors, design consultants and internal stakeholders to facilitate on-time, on-budget and high-quality delivery of infrastructure works.
Construction Management and Site Supervision
- Assist in overseeing day-to-day site operations, ensuring adherence to project specifications, timelines and quality standards.
- Monitor work progress against approved plans and Bills of Quantity (BoQs), reporting potential risks, delays or cost deviations to the supervisor.
- Verify that works comply with contract documents, technical drawings, and applicable safety and environmental standards.
- Conduct regular site inspections and prepare detailed progress, quality and health, safety, social and environment (HSSE) reports.
- Supervise contractors’ work, assess completed quantities and recommend interim and final payments.
- Review and verify variation orders, ensuring justification, accuracy and compliance with design and budget parameters.
- Support the preparation and implementation of risk assessments, method statements, and HSSE plans, enforcing compliance on-site.
- Lead or participate in site meetings with contractors and relevant stakeholders, maintaining accurate records of discussions, issues and actions.
- Identify and address construction issues proactively, ensuring minimal disruption to project timelines.
Technical Documentation and Quality Assurance
- Assist in coordinating technical documentation, drawings and specifications to meet project and UNOPS standards.
- Contribute to developing and updating work plans and schedules to ensure alignment with time, cost and quality requirements.
- Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including registers for drawings, payments, variations, safety inspections and materials testing.
- Prepare and review technical reports, inspection checklists, site diaries, and contractor correspondence.
- Draft and review Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs) based on verified progress and quality benchmarks.
- Support quality management activities by developing inspection and test plans, conducting material checks, and verifying contractor quality control procedures.
- Review and maintain records related to design modifications, variation justifications, and lessons learned.
Monitoring, Reporting and Risk Management
- Prepare regular (weekly and monthly) project progress reports detailing physical and financial performance, safety compliance and risks.
- Maintain updated risk and issue registers, and propose mitigation measures where applicable.
- Track contractor performance against milestones and assist in preparing management summaries for project reviews.
- Support the project manager and procurement team in bid evaluations and preparation of tender documentation when required.
- Provide input for project close-out reports and lessons-learned documentation.
Stakeholder and Team Coordination
- Maintain effective communication with contractors, suppliers, local authorities, and implementing partners to ensure coordinated project delivery.
- Assist the project manager in guiding and mentoring junior engineers, architects and site personnel.
- Participate in coordination meetings, ensuring timely follow-up on action points.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with community representatives and site visitors, ensuring transparent communication on project activities.
Knowledge Building and Sharing
- Support the organization, facilitation and delivery of training and learning sessions on project management and construction management.
- Participate in knowledge-sharing initiatives and Communities of Practice (CoPs), contributing insights and lessons learned.
- Conduct research on infrastructure- and project management-related topics and contribute to the drafting of reports, summaries and briefing notes.
