Project Engineer Entry Level

UNOPS
Nepal
Salary: Negotiable
1405 Views 2015-05-29 00:00:00
  • Nos. of Opening :
  • Working Position : Entry Level
  • Qualification Degree :
  • Salary : Negotiable
  • Job Category : NGO / INGO / Social work
Job Description
 
Background Information - Job-specific

 

UNOPS’ South Asia Operational Hub provides technical, operational and administrative support to 5 countries: Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. UNOPS’ work in this region focuses on the construction and operation of high quality sustainable infrastructure and sustainable procurement, project management, timely provision of services, and the use of most relevant technologies. Such projects provide social and economic benefits to vulnerable populations across the country, and contribute to poverty eradication. This includes construction of schools, hospitals, water networks, urban sewerage and drainage facilities, harbors and anchorages, waste management facilities, climate change mitigation, as well as a range of “soft” support in Capacity Building, operations and maintenance of public assets, local governance, etc.

About the DFID funded Integrated Programme for Strengthening Security and Justice in Nepal (IP-SSJ)

The Department for International Development (DFID) through its Operational Plan is committed to support Nepal in its efforts to ensure communities can live in safety and security. Nepal’s own commitments in this area are particularly enhanced by the National Human Rights Action Plan (2011-2014), and, of special interest to the UK, the National Plan of Action Against Gender-Based Violence.

DFID’s proposed IP aims to improve security and access to justice for poor and traditionally excluded people, especially women and girls. It has been designed on the basis of extensive analysis that is set out in the DFID ‘Security and Justice for the Poor’ (SJ4P) Business Case.

The IP is a major initiative coordinated by a Board convened by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) of the Government of Nepal (GoN) that aims to ensure inter-related initiatives are mutually reinforcing, notably on the Government and UK priority of tackling Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

The overall programme approach involves interlocking elements of:

1)      Community-level awareness-raising about laws and services, and the facilitation of dialogue with state institutions;

2)      Modernized and context-specific facilities and equipment for better public service delivery by state institutions; and

3)      Improved institutional systems of resource utilization, performance management and oversight.

The overall programme will be holistic across hard (facilities and equipment – F&E) and soft (capacity and skills development, police-public partnerships, community awareness-raising and social development etc.) elements. Institutional beneficiaries (Nepal Police and targeted state/non state organizations) will be able to better service communities who will have a greater access to, and awareness of, the services proposed. Long term results will center on the security and access to justice experienced, and perceived, by the poor and traditionally excluded, through improved delivery of service to the communities, increased level of awareness of services offered and thereby improved access. Disaster resilience and climate change considerations will also be cross-cutting priorities across the project investments.

About the Modernization and Improvement of Policing Project

Under this programme, UNOPS is to implement support to the component: Modernization and Improvement of Policing Project (MIPP). The MIPP is primarily focused on the Nepal Police (NP), but will likely also encompass some related security and justice services in the targeted districts[1].The MIPP will modernize, tailor and help sustain high quality service delivery through improved infrastructures and systems of resource utilization, performance management and oversight. The elements would be to:

i)              Identify and priorities F&E required for improved public service delivery for access to justice in approximately 25 districts determined by GoN in collaboration with DFID;

ii)             Procure building refurbishment, civil works, specialized and non-specialized equipment and supplies;

iii)            Procure forensic equipment for the central laboratory;

iv)           Implement the construction, O&M plans;

v)            Provide technical advisory services related to performance management, improvement and oversight.

The project will be implemented over a 4 year period, through three operational segments, in up to 25-28 districts. It is envisaged that, in the latter part of the project, implementation will be handed over to the GoN with UNOPS taking on a technical advisory role.

Segment 1 of the project will begin with an assessment process of facilities and equipment to ensure optimal targeting and tailoring, as well as the elaboration of work on police performance management systems (such as Monitoring and Evaluation). It will then proceed with F&E procurement and implementation, as well as the delivery of the O&M and performance-related assistance. Segment 1 will target a set of priority districts, testing approaches before further coverage and actions are agreed between DFID and UNOPS, with the guidance of the Programme Board convened by GoN and the MIPP partners.

[1]The primary focus will be units of the Nepal Police, but complementary work would deliver public-facing improvements to justice-related services provided by Chief District Officer (CDO) and Women and Children Development Offices (WCDOs) and, conceivably prisons.

Functional Responsibilities

 

The Project Engineer (National) will function in the role of an Assistant Team Manager and will report to the International Project Engineer (Team Manager). S/He will be responsible for the following but not limited to:

  1. Conduct Rapid Infrastructure Assessment (RIA) to identify Facilities and Equipment of the prioritized districts, Desk reviews, field surveys, coordinate with GoN, NP and DFID and prepare necessary reports.
  2. In coordination with the International Project Engineer determine the final selection of the sites using agreed weighting of priorities as per site selection for the initial RIA, such as population served by individual units, intensity of crime and insecurity, high proportions of disadvantaged, etc. The criteria and weighting, as well as the final list for each district, would need to be endorsed in writing (such as by email) by the MIPP SC and DFID.
  3. Prepare technical documents, support to conduct procurement process together with procurement/technical teams in Nepal and Sri Lanka, and evaluate bids and contract awards.
  4. Assist in coordinating with GoN, DFID and Design Consultant and finalize technical designs. Supervise/review Architectural, Structural & Services drawings, BoQ’s and Specifications and process building approvals.
  5. Construction Management, day to day supervision of works and contracts management.
  6. Monitor contractors’ work plan, Quality Assurance and compliance to the contract and specifications.
  7. Support the quantity survey and field progress measurement, prepare reports as required.

Details:

a.       Stakeholder Management:

  1. In coordination with International Project Engineer, establish a strong and regular working relationship with key local government counterparts/ project stakeholders notably from the MoHA, Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare, within NP (incl. the Research and Planning Department -R&PD)and across IP-SSJ partners at national, regional and district levels as required;
  2. Establish solid working relationship with the International Project Engineer and support him/her as required;
  3. Consult key stakeholders including NP, technical service providers and communities in order to inform them on implementation of Infrastructures and facilities;
  4. Collaborate with UNOPS technical experts and Communities of Practice (COPs) with regard to implementation of physical infrastructures;
  5. Manage communications and ensure key stakeholders are aware of activities under his/her purview, following the guidance from Team Manager;
  6. Advise the Team Manager on issues that may impact the smooth flow of the project.

b.      Delivery and Performance:

  1. Implement approved work packages (including the establishment of milestones) within tolerances set by the Project Manager;
  2. Manage the production of the required products, taking responsibility for overall progress and use of resources and initiating corrective action where necessary;
  3. Insure proper construction management, monitor progress of construction activities, quality, Materials, and construction schedule -- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems and report the activities;
  4. Inspect and review projects implementation plan to monitor compliance with Specifications, Contracts, and other regulations;
  5. Interpret and explain plans, contract terms, work plans to construction field staff, contractors, government entities and other stakeholders in case of need;
  6. Advise the International Project Engineer  of any deviations from the plan;
  7. Regular site visits at all stages of the construction work in order to verify and confirm the quality of the construction works. Quality control will be verified using proven instruments particularly on but not limited to setting out, reinforced concrete, finishes, wiring, plumbing, framing and joinery;
  8. Provide guidance for the UNOPS site Engineers/overseers in construction, supervision and contract administration in accordance with relevant conditions of contract and to comply with specifications;
  9. Identify and manage risks so that maximum benefit to clients and stakeholders is achieved;
  10. Manage and review product quality and ensure products are accepted;
  11. Supervising contractors on site ensuring that they meet the high standards expected by UNOPS;
  12. Review material used by contractors for compliance with BoQ specifications and refer to UNOPS architect for approval where required;
  13. Maintain diaries and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures;
  14. Review existing practice by contractors and make recommendations, where remedial action is required, that will increase safety and quality of work (taking budget constraints into account) in all new and reconstruction programs undertaken by UNOPS;
  15. Cordinate with Team Manager, reporte and update as per the reporting modalities, inform on  procurement/ logistics to be arranged, required materials etc for uninterupted work schedule;
  16. Perform any other duties deemed necessary by the PM/ Team Manager(TM);
  17. Monitor and evaluate performance of service providers;
  18. Identify and report threats to UNOPS internal business case to supervisor (TM).

c.       Procedures:
 

  1. Follow the Project Management Cycle Instructions and ensure that all organizational policy is complied with (Organizational Directives and Administrative Instructions);
  2. Prepare Checkpoint Reports and keep records;
  3. Maintain proper project documentations;
  4. Ensure that all expenditure comply with UNOPS Financial Rules and Regulations (FRR);
  5. Manage work package budgets, cash flow and obligations to ensure that deliverables are met and payments to contractors and personnel are received on time;
  6. Manage and remain accountable for expenditures against the work package budget.

d.      Personnel Management:

  1. Perform the Technical input roles as an Engineer as and when required;
  2. Support the Supervisor in managing the support staff
     
Competencies

 

  1. Excellent interpersonal, co-ordination and negotiation skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people at a strategic level;
  2. Meets with UN Managerial competency requirements (leadership, vision, empowering others, building trust, managing performance, judgment/decision making);
  3. Extensive experience in organizational development particularly systems to define, monitor and assess performance. Knowledge and capabilities in relation to professionalization and modernization of state agencies would be a significant advantage;
  4. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, in particular Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project and structural engineering software as stated above;
  5. Knowledge of relevant UN contracting and procurement modalities and procedures and/or knowledge of UNOPS rules and policies is an asset;
  6. Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is an advantage.
Education/Experience/Language requirements

 

      Education

  1. University Degree in Civil Engineering or other relevant discipline.
  2. Postgraduate qualifications or an advanced university degree will be an advantage.

      Work Experience

  1. A minimum of three years of progressive experience in construction management, site supervision with focus on monitoring, reporting, development and coordination in either public or private sector organizations.
  2. Candidates with experience working on International /local projects in conflict/disaster prone areas will be preferred.
  3. Experience in contracting and/or consulting environment is also an advantage.

      Language Requirements

  •  Excellent command of English and Nepali languages are required.

Certifications


PRINCE2 Foundation Certification is desired.

Contract type, level and duration



Contract type: ICA
Contract level: Local ICA Support 7
Contract duration: One year - renewable

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 

Additional Considerations
  1. Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
  2. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  3. Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  4. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  5. For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  6. The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  
  7. This post is open to nationals of Nepal only.

 

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.