Senior Project Engineer

Job Description

Background Information - Job-specific

The Senior Project Engineer provides technical assistance and expertise with reference to the feasibility/design/construction requirements as well as field coordination, ensuring high quality and consistency of work. The Senior Project Engineer supervising a diverse technical team promotes a collaborative, client focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Project Team. He/She will also provide mentorship to junior team members ensuring knowledge transfer for capacity development.

The Senior Project Engineer will report to the Project Manager

Functional Responsibilities

1. General construction
2. Feasibility/needs assessment
3. Design Management
4. Construction supervision
5. Knowledge management

1. General Construction

• Plan and coordinate work activities with the Project Manager
• Take timely action to prevent potential delays and/or cost overruns that can be avoided.
• Report and recommend remedial actions regarding potential delays and/or cost overruns to the Project Manager.
• Provide supervision of project work progress and quality for on-time project delivery.
• Prepare project related documentations such as periodic progress reports, site monitoring reports, stakeholder meeting minutes, engineer’s instructions and variation orders, contractor’s bills review reports, certifications, client hand-over documents and contracts close-out reports.
• Manage final hand over and acceptance report based on technical specifications against the approved project.
• Provide data and information about project work to Project Manager for reporting purposes.
• Ensure UNOPS FIDIC contracts are administered appropriately.
• Ensure proper liaison, coordination and exchange of information with the Municipal Authority
• Accompany all site visits by any Authority and Donor representatives.
• Provide a monthly report to the Project Manager detailing all project matters including quality, health and safety, environmental and financial, as well as any issues relating to possible delays, cost overruns, variations and any other matter as agreed with the Project Manager.

2. Feasibility /needs assessment

• Complete needs assessment, organize preliminary studies and monitor/supervising consultants.
• Support the review of requests for new construction and rehabilitation works.
• Carry out assessments and prepare reports with recommendations for follow up actions.
• Assist the Project Manager in redacting the tender dossier, with particular focus to the technical documents (drawings, BoQ, technical specification and standards).

3. Design Management

• Outline design requirements (e.g. timeline) to procure design services, including concept, preliminary and final stages where applicable.
• Manage the design plan ensuring deliverables are available on time, and to the required quality.
• Review and approve the BoQ.
• Assist the procurement team with technical assistance in preparation of tender documentation and bid analysis where required.

4. Construction supervision

• Supervise construction works and administer works execution as per the contractual provisions and the design specifications.
• Ensure quantity/quality control and time schedule consistency.
• Verify that works are consistent with the project technical specifications and inform promptly of eventual deviations.
• Ensure constructions works are completed on time, within budget and to quality standards.
• Provide regular supervision of the project work progress and quality for on time delivery.

5. Knowledge management

• Provide training and technology transfer to national personnel and contractor’s personnel and advice on good construction practices, good environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during construction
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

Impact of Results
The effective and successful achievement of results by the Senior Project Engineer directly impacts on achievement of the projects and consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services

Education

• A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field is required.
• A combination of Bachelor’s degree with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.
• AutoCAD certification is desirable.
• Project Management certification (for example PRINCE2® Foundation is desirable)

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years of experience, related to the project requirements, in civil engineering construction management is required.
• Demonstrated International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) contract knowledge is desirable.
• Ability to use MS office is desirable

Skills in the following is required

• Business Buildings & Institutional Buildings Infrastructure ( 3 years)
• Transportation Infrastructure ( 2 years)
• Clean water distribution systems (2 years)

Languages

• Full working knowledge of English is essential.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Competencies

• Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Functional competencies

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and commitment to continuous learning.
• Demonstrates results orientation and focus on solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with clients, donors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan work in a collaborative manner and to manage priorities
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the project and in accordance with UNOPS shared goals
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

The Senior Project Engineer is responsible for keeping abreast of new developments in engineering

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns.
Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: LICA-11
Contract duration:1 year with possibility of extension


For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners’ needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

About the Organization

UNOPS - East Africa Hub

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, UNOPS East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established operations center in South Sudan, an office in Somalia and a portfolio of multiple transactional, procurement and infrastructure projects in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several Atlantic and Indian Ocean island states.

Somalia Office

The UNOPS Somalia Office presently manages a significant portfolio of projects in Somalia and has its direct representational and oversight functions in Somalia, while maintaining a technical and administrative support capacity at the hub level in Nairobi. UNOPS works with multiple partners including the Governments of Somalia, bilateral and multilateral donors, and United Nations Agencies, Funds and Programmes