ACBAR

Background Information - UNOPS

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.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

Job Specific Context

The Project for Community-led Climate Change Adaptation in Afghanistan aims to strengthen the resilience of communities by implementing community-led adaptation measures. Its overall objective is to empower people in target communities to have strengthened climate change and disaster resilience through two main components: constructing and rehabilitating small-scale infrastructure for climate change adaptation (e.g., check dams, river bank protection walls, irrigation canals), and strengthening community-based systems to mitigate the impacts of climate change and adverse climate events through training and capacity building. 

The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) is a member of the project team. Under the direct supervision and overall leadership of the Senior Project Manager, the Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will lead site identification and site assessment, and oversee a team of design and construction management engineers in undertaking market research, survey, digital terrain modelling, hydrological, hydraulic and structural design, specification, preparing BoQs, market research, contributing information for development of tender documents, engineering analysis, construction monitoring,  coordination of the day-to-day construction activities across all projects under the engagement, and related engineering activities. The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will oversee external contractors contributing to the technical functions, including survey, geotechnical, hydrological and design contractors (as applicable). The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) applies practices and techniques of key engineering design, technical and construction management and project management work areas, ensures practical solutions appropriate to Afghanistan rural conditions, and ensures technical planning, design, construction oversight activities/ supervision of works and project management in compliance with UNOPS systems, quality assurance and quality control requirements. The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will be based in Kabul and is expected to travel frequently across all project sites in the province, as required.

Role Purpose

The Civil Engineer (Team Lead) will lead site identification and site assessment, and oversee a team of design and construction management engineers in undertaking market research, survey, digital terrain modelling, hydrological, hydraulic and structural design, specification, preparing BoQs, market research, contributing information for development of tender documents, engineering analysis, construction monitoring,  coordination of the day-to-day construction activities across all projects under the engagement, and related engineering activities.

Functions / Key Results Expected

1. Coordination, delivery and performance

• Lead and supervise the engineering team of the project.
• Determine, review and establish the local and international policies, standards and specifications required for the construction and refurbishment of the identified works in Afghanistan.
• Liaise with the stakeholders to identify their needs so that the design will incorporate their requirements to the extent it is feasible and practicable.
• Provide input and review technical work and designs carried out by external consultants/contractors for the works to be constructed under AFCO program.
• Oversee the inspections of the works constructed, in consultation with all stakeholders.
• Lead and contribute to the preparation of detailed engineering design documentation including drawings, specifications and scope of work reports to be included in construction tender documents.
• Lead the development of quality control and quality assurance documentation related to proposed works.
• Preparation specifications and BoQs and support the Senior Project Manager and Procurement Officer in the preparation of bidding documents for new projects.
• Supervise on-site work carried out by contractors closely to ensure quality of the work is monitored and controlled as per specification requirements.
• Provide expert advice to AFCO staff, project staff, contractors, clients and donor agencies on project engineering works related works where required.
• Work with the Design Review team to revise and finalize the design package, specifications, BoQ and construction drawings.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned.

2. Monitoring and reporting

• Plan and coordinate monthly, weekly and daily construction activities, including monitoring site safety and construction quality.
• Oversee the monitoring of the contractor work schedule and provide the best technical advice to speed up the project progress and meet the project deadline, while the contractor is behind the schedule.
• Check drawings, specifications, and other construction design documents to ensure accuracy and soundness of design.
• Monitor all project activities in relation to the respective project work plans and take corrective action, when necessary, to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of project outputs.
• Oversee the monitoring of contractors’ onsite work to ensure delivery is maintained at the required level to meet project quality, time and cost targets.
• Ensure regular site meetings with staff and contractors and review progress reports for all sub-projects and works.
• Ensure the collection and documentation of site information in relation to contractor’s work including information on the contractor’s workforce, labor, weather, Risk register, issues register and progress of work and any other related information.
• Ensure Quality Assurance and Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) measures are implemented within construction activities.
• Ensure timely delivery of the project activities are within the project schedule.
• Ensure all materials delivered to the project site meet the specification requirements and oversee corrective action where the quality of materials delivered does not meet the project technical specification requirements; prepare detailed reports on deliveries made to sites.
• Ensure contractors maintain and implement HSSE protocols and measures and that standards are met.
• Verify the contractor payment.
• Prepare project progress reports and project briefs.
• Ensure the preparation and manage project documentation systematically, especially assuring the tidiness of the contractors’ site registers.
• Assist the Senior Project Manager in the handover and closing of the project.
• Hold ownership to UNOPS’ Asset at the construction site.

3. Knowledge Building and Sharing

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice, actively interact with other Engineers and the Engineering community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices on the Knowledge System.
• Collaborate with technical team members, including but not limited to architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors.
• Conducting on-site training for the contractors' technical staff to improve the technical knowledge of the engineers.
   

Skills

AutoCAD, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Quality Assurance

Competencies

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organisational 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.

Education Requirements

Required

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Water Engineering or equivalent professional qualification with 4 years of relevant experience.

Desired

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.

Experience Requirements

Required

• Minimum of 4 years relevant experience in water engineering works, with a focus on water retention structures. 

• A minimum of 2 years of experience in water infrastructure design, with a focus on small dams, canals, and water retention structures. Ability to produce engineering construction drawings and design documentation using AutoCAD or similar software.

Desired

• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations.

Language Requirements

Language                    Proficiency Level                   Requirement

  English                           Fluent                                 Required

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/3129 

https://careers.unops.org/careersmarketplace/JobDetail/3129