Job: Quality Assurance and Quality Control Engineer

Location: Bamyan 
Deadline: Sunday, 20 October 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 Quality Assurance/Quality Control Engineer, will work closely with the technical and project support team to provide the necessary technical expertise for the project implementation ensuring compliance of quality control plans, materials, test procedures, specifications and work methodologies with the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards as well as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards, Asphalt Institute and Afghanistan National standards. The QA/QC Engineer's responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with the development, and subsequent oversight of project QA/QC plans and protocols for construction, construction equipment and materials
• Ensure the establishment of quality procedures including time limits for inspection, sampling and testing of works, materials and other QA/QC requirements
• Oversee and manage quality assessment of materials through regular and rigid laboratory tests and site visits
• Ensure specific quality standards are constantly met at all levels of construction projects
• Review all standard test forms to be used during laboratory tests, QA/QC testing schedules and procedures and evaluate results as appropriate
• Review contractor practices and conventional methodologies and make recommendations where remedial action is required
• Work with various engineers and design experts for establishing procedures with time limits for the inspection, sampling and testing of works and all other QA/QC requirements
• Conduct initial survey queries on sources of materials, ensuring quality and compliance with the specifications
• Checking accuracy of outputs produced in compliance with established quality standards
• Assisting the Project Engineers with monitoring the work of the contractors
• Providing technical advice and assistance to contractors to ensure that economical and quality materials are purchased
• Keeping record of all documentation regarding QA/QC
• Tracking and reporting all non-conformances to the Project Manager
• Maintaining close relationship with UNOPS QA/QC Office
• Controlling all QA/QC related submissions of contractors to comply with the standard specifications
• Implementation and monitoring of quality assessments
• Preparing regular QA/QC reports on all construction activities
• Recommendation of solutions to quality problems and control of further processing, delivery, installation or use until proper disposition of non-conformance or unsatisfactory works
• Ensuring that Quality Control personnel conducting inspections, including Project Monitoring Engineers, are adequately trained and understand assignment limits, quality and time frames
• Perform other duties as may be assigned

Competencies

• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the works, work on tight deadlines, and handle multiple concurrent activities
• High degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present sensitive issues/positions and to write reports and technical decisions quantitatively justified
• Proficiency in usage of computers, office software packages
• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English is required
• Flexibility in working hours and agreement to undertake night shift duties if required

Education/Experience/Language requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or relevant field is required, Master's Degree in Civil Engineering desired
• Minimum 4 years of progressively responsible experience in road construction activities with emphasis on materials testing, quality control and assurance, laboratory testing and a firm understanding of requirements and specifications of testing and materials
• Working knowledge of MS Office applications required
• Previous work experience in road construction projects implemented by the UN or other international organizations desired
• Fluency in both written and oral English is required
• Previous experience in mentoring and training counterparts is desired

Contract type, level and durationThis is a local position and only Afghan nationals may apply Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: Local ICA, Level 6 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.

More Info and Application