Associate Civil Engineer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

UNHCR in Zambia operates in 4 provinces where the refugees are hosted including Lusaka, Mayukwayukwa (Western province), Maheba (North Western province) and a recently established integrated settlement in Mantampala (Luapula province) where Congolese refugees and their hosts live side by side through a Comprehensive Refugee response Framework (CRRF) approach.

The Associate Civil Engineer to be based in Solwezi will provide technical guidance, liaise and coordinate UNHCR construction related activities in accordance with UNHCR policies and priorities and maintain contact with the local officials and implementing partners to discuss and share information on the assessment of infrastructure conditions. The incumbent will coordinate with other sections/units to ensure harmonized programmatic approaches at all levels and throughout the UNHCR Operations Management Cycle. The Civil Engineer will provide technical input related to infrastructure development; site selection/development, construction project supervision with due consideration to environmental concern to the operation including maintenance of UNHCR compounds.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Field Office, Solwezi, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Technical Unit, the Associate Civil Engineer will perform the following tasks:

• Provide all necessary technical input related to site development, infrastructure and building construction with due regard to environmental concern of the operation; • Assist the UNHCR office in close monitoring of the construction/site development activities and the construction work undertaken by building contractors with the aim of accomplishing the task in the most effective manner on agreed time schedule and in conformity with the set guidelines and principles in accordance with the overall objective; • Prepare bills of quantities (BOQs) for different construction works to be undertaken in operations; • Prepare detailed designs for the works as directed; • Develop detailed rates for items of work based on current market conditions; • Inspect and review the construction projects on a periodic basis to ensure compliance with safety code and building code regulations by maintaining strict quality control procedures- this necessitates regular testing of materials, visual inspections of work, and conducting regular safety checks; • Review the entire project to ensure that the work is being done according to the work plans and technical specifications; • Ensure the project runs on schedule and according to budget, manage schedules of work, and find solutions to problems that may cause delays, such as the late arrival of materials; • Assist with pre-site and on-site meetings to ensure building contracts are successful. • Control all aspects of the site including planning work, arranging delivery of materials and contractors, and ultimately ensure contracts are delivered on time; • Provide technical input in the general supervision, progress of construction activities and control of quality of materials and workmanship; • Revise and update drawings as necessary and prepare documents for final handover and closure of projects; • Maintain and update contract files on each construction project; • Deal with problems that arise with regard to the construction workers and bring it to the attention of the Head of the technical unit; • Attend the necessary training activities scheduled for self-improvement and general improvement of work performance; • Support Tender Opening and Tender Evaluation, including preparation of tender documentation and payment certificates for contractors; • Redesign of the projects as need arises; • Detect any discrepancy in BOQs, drawings and actual work done including obtaining necessary variations; • Conduct technical feasibility studies for identification of adequate sites in close coordination with Local Authorities at Provincial, District, and Divisional levels, as well as with the concerned line Ministries and implementing partners; • Provide technical support to the Zambia country office in Lusaka with the establishment of shelter facilities and infrastructure for refugees from DRC with due consideration to cross cutting issues, including protection, water, health, sanitation & environmental protection and community-based protection; • Ensure that basic technical criteria of land availability/property, accessibility, security, topography, water resources, absorption capacity, and adequate terrain for proper sanitation facilities are taken into consideration while selecting potential sites. Other factors such as national reserves, migration corridor, and flooding, possible conflict with the local population have also to be taken into consideration when identifying potential settlement solutions; • Create a shelter strategy for Maheba Refugee settlement, provide technical guidance and support for infrastructure development, emergency & semi-permanent shelter and durable solutions for an out of a camp settlement; • Assist in the search of alternative energy projects as and when feasible in Maheba refugee settlement; • Design and create new reception and transit center as well as strategies to initiate settlements benefitting both host communities and asylum seekers; • Assess the structural safety of public buildings, measure the absorption capacity within a community for host arrangements while ensuring that humanitarian standards are met to ensure dignified living conditions; • Develop, in close coordination with implementing partners and other concerned parties, settlement plans and their implementation modalities, including construction/rehabilitation of communal infrastructures (latrines, water points, etc.), taking into account the overall needs of target groups, their cultural preferences and the concerns of the local communities; • Carry out any other activities as may be directed by the Head of the Solwezi Sub Office

• Commitment and Motivation • Commitment to Continuous Learning • Communication • Creativity • Ethics and Values • Integrity • Knowledge Sharing • Planning and Organizing • Professionalism • Respect for Diversity • Self-Management • Working in Teams

Civil Engineering, Construction; Prior experience in implementing settlement projects in humanitarian context and emergencies, providing assistance in liaison with operational partner’s and governmental technical departments; Previous involvement in implementation processes (including the development of bills of quantities, analysis of local capacity and local markets, cost estimations etc.); Knowledge of sphere technical guidelines and rules for adequate orientation, ventilation; Ability to communicate well in English and prepare technical reports and knowledge of the regional language is an advantage; Proven experience with in site planning and ability to achieve quality results, on time and within available resources; Ability to coordinate a range of diverse actors and activates to achieve a common objective in the area of site planning; Exposure to UNHCR mandate, its priorities and principles.

Solwezi is the capital of the North-Western Province of Zambia with a population of about 65,000. Kaonde is the largest tribe represented in the District. However, Lunda and Luvale speaking people are also found in the area. Copper Mining is the major industry present in Solwezi. The Provincial capital has many amenities in place. Most shops and offices are concentrated along the central tarred road. There are several large branches of banks and a modern shopping complex. Several health facilities are equally available. For more information please visit: http://www.zambiatourism.com.