Job: Construction Engineer

Location: Bamyan, Afghanistan
Deadline: Monday, 02 September 2013 

Description

UNOPS mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peacebuilding, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need. Working in some of the world's most challenging environments, our vision is to always satisfy partners with management services that meet world-class standards of quality, speed and cost effectiveness.

UNOPS provides services in sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement and sustainable project management, with projects ranging from building schools, roads, bridges and hospitals to procuring goods and services and training local personnel.

By assisting UN organizations, international financial institutions, governments and other development partners, UNOPS makes significant, tangible contributions to results on the ground.

We employ more than 6,000 personnel annually and on behalf of our partners create thousands more work opportunities in local communities. Through our headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark and a network of regional and country offices, we oversee activities in more than 80 countries.

UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 10 years of experience in the country, the UNOPS Afghanistan office supports national reconstruction and development efforts by providing projects with goods and services - from stand-alone, one-off solutions to long-term management and capacity development support. Based in Kabul, UNOPS in Afghanistan has sub-offices in every region of the country. The team implements projects in support of the Afghanistan National Development Strategy, in a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, education, environment and agriculture, and governance and rule of law.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Construction Engineer, whom will be assigned as the Deputy Project Manager, will work closely with the technical and project support team to provide the necessary technical expertise for the project implementation ensuring complience of designs, drawings, specifications and work methodologies with the American Association of design standards as well as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards and Afghanistan national standards.The Construction Engineer responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Supporting the Project Manager in ensuring the overall and timely delivery of UNOPS – the Improvement Improvement of Existing Bamyan Airport
• Serving as Project Manager when the Project Manager is absent from the site.
• Working with the GYROS (technical consultants) for the timely preparation of required reports related to field activities and construction works.
• Taking responsibility for timely completion of various construction activities according to the approved work plan, the budget and specified quality standard.
• Providing on-site monitoring of construction activities to ensure the on-going works conform to approved designs, drawings, specifications and scope of work.
• Participation in meetings and attending to correspondence with the stake holders and other relevant authorities to ensure the necessary coordination for the smooth implementation of construction works and resolution of any issues that arise during construction activities.
• Undertaking the responsibility for preparing change orders and making recommendations to Project Manager for revision approval.
• In consultation with the Project Manager, providing oversight and appraising the progress of the works and making recommendations for the suspension of works or extensions of time for the completion of the works.
• Ensuring that all of the construction works are performed and completed according to AASHTO and National Standards.
• Checking accuracy of outputs produced in compliance with established quality standards.
• Providing advice and direction to ensure good environmental practices and controls during construction and mitigation of the environmental impacts of the works.
• Assisting in establishing and ensuring adherence to regular communication protocols between project engineers and contractors.
• Assisting in ensuring the timely submission of progress reports and inputs to the Project Manager, and facilitating the compilation of inputs for monitoring and evaluation.
• Monitoring the timely submission of payment requests by the contractors and evaluation of interim payment invoices.
• Providing advice and coordination of the road construction works in conjunction with the Contract Management Section and the contractors.
• Assisting the QA/QC and Project Engineers with monitoring the work of the contractors.
• Reviewing the existing practices of local contractors and the conventional methodology of pavement and other constructions; making recommendations that will increase safety on the constructions sites and taking into account any budget constraints.
• Reviewing QA/QC site visit and materials testing reports to ensure that sampling, testing and inspection of materials are carried out regularly and works are implemented in compliance with design specifications.
• Providing technical input and assisting the Procurement Management Section with all contractual matters for the completion of the respective contracts.
• Assisting with building the capacity of engineers and contractor in construction techniques including good practices and troubleshooting methods.
• Providing technical advice and assistance to contractors to ensure that economical and quality materials are purchased.
• Monitoring the implementation of the works by conducting site visits and providing guidance for improvement and good results.
• Providing regular progress reports to the Project Manager and other stakeholders as required.
• Performing any other duties requested by the Project Manager.

Competencies

• Be efficient and successful in handling time bound projects. Identifing critical factors and focusing energy to achieve overall project objectives.
• Flexibility in working hours and agreement to undertake night shift duties if required.
• Ability to work under pressure and deliver towards tight work deadlines through organizing and prioritizing tasks.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Able to lead and manage the UNOPS team in the management of the work.
• Able to operate as a team player and contribute effectively to team goals and team proceedings.
• Able to predict problems/constraints with current processes and propose feasible alternatives and devise innovative ways to solve issues arised during construction works.
• Able to assist the Project manager in managing and directing the necessary UNOPS Project Support Functions.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize and adjust work schedules.
• Ability to quickly identify and communicate to the Project Manager any project related issues, risks and/or opportunities that could have an impact on the successful implementation of the project.
• Demonstrated ability to train and build the capacity of counterparts and contractors.

• Good understanding of UNOPS business, the operational environment and clients as well as the UN mandate.
• Ability to lead, build and sustain effective work relationships with clients, subordinates and peers to achieve common goal.
• Demonstrates attention to detail and patience.
• Able and willing to travel to visit project sites if required.
• Proficiency in usage of computers and office software packages.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering relevant field is required, Master's Degree in Civil Engineering relevant field desired.
• Minimum 7 years of a progressively responsible experience in large scale pavement construction /Airport runway construction projects required
• Airport construction including Runway and Buildings will be an added value.
• Use of total station and other survey equipment required.
• Knowledge of different testing requirements for material and executed work is essential.
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Project software desired.
• Previous work experience in construction projects implemented by the UN or other international organizations desired.
• Knowledge of government construction regulations and procedures desired.
• Fluency in both written and oral English is required.
• Previous experience in mentoring and training counterparts is desired.

Contract type, level and duration

This is a local position and only Afghan nationals may apply

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA)

Contract level: Local ICA, level 7 Contract duration: 12 months, with possibility of extension For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link: http://www.unops.org/ENGLISH/WHOWENEED/CONTRACT-TYPES/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements-ICAs.aspx

Additional Considerations

• This is a local position and only Afghan nationals may apply
• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time (CET)
• 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 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.

More Info and Application