Civil Engineer (Internal for UNOPS personnel)

Contract

This is a LICA Specialist-9 contract. This kind of contract is known as Local Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally only for nationals. It's an external contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA Specialist-9 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC/East and Southern Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Background Information-Job Specific

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) office is based in Nairobi, and has recently been structured as a standalone ‘project’ within UNOPS. The TSU engages in multidisciplinary design, assessments and advisory work, and manages relationships with other technical stakeholders such as specialist design firms for high risk structures. Recently the team has expanded its offering to include consulting services such as assessments, feasibility studies and advisory services on a wide range of infrastructure types. We want to continue and further expand technical services to our partners and clients at a wider field of operations. The TSU currently has 15 permanent and 40+ retainer personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure advisors (for dams, ICT and biomedical works) and CAD technicians as well as support personnel. Current projects are underway / imminent in Kenya, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, ESwatini, Zambia, Mozambique and Cameroon. During 2020, upwards of 70 requisitions were signed for work on the African continent.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the TSU Manager, the Civil Engineer will give his/her technical expertise as required to develop designs for new and rehabilitation works including the calculation of quantities. Travel will be expected to remote sites.

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following substantive tasks. The tasks would involve but not limited to:

• Review and analyse existing documents
• Review and analyse investigation reports
• Prepare assessments, designs, reports
• Calculate quantities
• Liaise with technical, procurement colleagues and client and funding representatives as required
• Co-ordinate the timely issue of drawings, specifications and quantities and respond to queries as required.

Technical Tasks:

• Prepare design briefs and design reports that address specific clients and stakeholder requirements and specifications as and when necessary.
• Prepare comprehensive design documentation, specifications, bar bending schedules and other project documents to meet the required quality and detailing.
• Work closely with other technical professionals in the planning of projects, scheduling of tasks and developing an integrated design.
• Ensure the documents prepared meet the quality standard requirements.
• Responsible for timely delivery of the expected outputs for review by senior staff.
• Carry out civil and structural design services for projects according to the client’s design requirement and as per applicable international standards and codes of practices.
• Able to produce civils bills of quantities.
• Monitor delivery of services design documents. Highlight possible non or late delivery prior to the event.
• Carry out site inspections and assessments as required.
• Monitor contractor’s progress during Defects Notification Periods and compile reports as required.
• Develop specifications, procedures and QA/QC protocols when required.
• Proactively assist senior staff in managing the design projects, ensuring that they meet the high standards expected by UNOPS, while delivering the program within its time and budget constraints.
• Liaise with clients and address requirements when required.
• Co-ordinate the works and submissions with all other disciplines.
• Carry out research and identify appropriate technologies/techniques/designs that can be incorporated in the project design.
• Carry out technical reviews as appropriate.

The Civil Engineer will be required to travel to any site in or around the countries under KEMC and as UNDSS permits.

Final Product

Assist in ensuring high project design and construction quality, observing all local/international and UN standards applicable; and all relevant health and safety procedures..

Education

• Masters Degree in Civil & Structural Engineering or other relevant discipline is required.
• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) with additional 2 years of relevant professional experience in Civil & Structural Engineering or other relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of the Masters degree.

Experience

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in Civil & Structural Engineering Design implementation and Construction & Civil works is required.

• Minimum of 2 years of UNOPS experience is required.

• Experience working on projects in conflict/disaster prone areas is an asset

• Experience working in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands is an asset

Languages

Fluency in English language is required;

Competencies

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

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type; Individual Contractor Agreement
2. Contract level; Local ICA Specialist -LICA 9
3. Contract duration; Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

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

• ****This is a local post and it is for only Kenyan nationals or individuals with valid residency work permits are eligible to apply.

Additional Considerations

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

**This position is based in a family duty station***

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

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

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.