Civil Engineering Specialist

Contract

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

Pakistan has been facing recurring challenges due to natural disasters, particularly floods and earthquakes, which have resulted in significant infrastructure damage and human suffering. UNDP has been providing technical and financial support to the Government and Communities in Pakistan for constructing works of different types (e.g. the rehabilitating health facilities, schools, rural link-roads, etc.). This construction/works related support involves varying degrees of complexity and value.

In the context of 2022 floods in Pakistan, the post-disaster context demands sustainable development and reconstruction efforts to rebuild affected areas and improve the resilience of communities. UNDP is committed to supporting these efforts and requires services of an independent Civil Engineer to contribute her/his expertise in ensuring high quality construction/works interventions are delivered across UNDP projects including those in the flood-affected regions, in compliance with international best practices and standards particularly Social and Environmental Standards as well as applicable policies in UNDP particularly UNDP Enterprise Risk Management Policy, UNDP Construction Works Policy etc..

Many of the construction/works entail activities requiring specialized expertise and pose a variety of financial, legal, social, environmental, reputational, health and safety risks and liabilities disproportionate to the value of the projects. To this end, the Civil Engineer will play a critical role in ensuring UNDP exercises the highest level of care and diligence in managing these risks to ensure performance in accordance with the applicable policies/procedures, international standards, terms of the contract, and also that the works are further to and in accordance with UNDP’s mandate and with the Strategic Plan, and that the works add value to all stakeholders.

The engineer will play a critical role in ensuring the verification of rates, adequacy of designs, assessment of associated risks, and provision of technical advice to UNDP projects. The engineer is expected to carry out all duties with integrity, impartiality, and independence, aligning with UNDP's values and interests.

The Civil Engineering Specialist is expected to perform the following functions: -

• Serves as the Independent Civil Engineer of the Pakistan Country Office performing the following tasks as the technical focal point of the Country Office: o Verification of Rates: a. Conduct a thorough analysis to verify rates of civil works against market rates, previous contracts, and any existing Pakistan Civil Works Index. b. Ensure that rates are reasonable, fair, and in line with prevailing market conditions. c. Identify any discrepancies and provide recommendations for adjustments if necessary. o Verification of Design Adequacy and Suitability: a. Review construction designs to assess their adequacy and suitability for the intended purpose. b. Identify any design flaws, inefficiencies, or potential improvements. c. Provide recommendations for modifications or enhancements to optimize design performance.

• Provide advice, direction, and independent assurance relative to the Construction/works related risk processes/procedures, liaise with Project Engineers, Contractors, and other relevant personnel

• Provide guidance to Project Engineers and programme/M&E experts to ensure risks and relevant responses are not only identified, assessed, owned, and communicated at the design stages of the works components in projects but also tracked/monitored and mitigated during implementation stage of works components

• In close coordination with Management Support Unit, enable and help deliver and improve UNDP’s risk management framework to its required standard, through: a. establishing SOPs, RACI matrices and associated quality checklists for ensuring design and implementation stage documents are in compliance with standards and applicable policies b. performing qualitative and quantitative risk analysis where risks rated Moderate and above in the Construction Risks Mitigation Matrices of the projects are monitored to track exposure and establishing assurance on the relevance, quality and timely completion of their associated risk treatment actions

• Facilitate and enable risk-based decision making, by proactively contributing to various risk management forums including programme delivery meeting, CO Social and Environmental Standards Committee and report findings from the risk analysis of all UNDP projects with construction components and provide risk management recommendations

• In close collaboration and consultation with Management Support Unit, ensure a robust oversight on the timely and effective design and implementation of all the projects which are to develop Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), and also on all the assessments/management actions emanating from Project Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), and Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

• Proactively supports the development of UNDP Pakistan civil engineers community of practice and also provide a catalytic role for an enhanced delivery of risk-based design, implementation and monitoring of construction/works implemented by UNDP through 3rd party contractors.

• Any other duties assigned relevant to the construction and civil works

• Minimum of 15 years of progressive work experience in civil engineering, construction management or related field • Possess a professional engineering license or certification. • Demonstrated experience as a chief engineer (or lead engineer) in verifying rates, assessing designs, and managing construction risks. • Experience in leading and directing project activities and the achievement of project targets and results • Experience in facilitating knowledge building and management and training. • Familiarity with the local or similar context, including risk management areas is an asset. • Excellent communication skills in English (both written and verbal) are required. • Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, relationships management and strategic engagement • Excellent analytical, oral and written communication skills • Drive for results with limited supervision, and ability to work in fast-paced environment • Hands-on, action-oriented and solution-oriented approach, with enthusiasm and commitment to international development.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Engineering (Civil, Water or Environmental) or other closely related engineering field from recognized institution OR • Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from recognized institution or equivalent with additional two years of relevant professional experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree.

Pakistan is situated in South Asia. Located along the Arabian Sea, it is surrounded by Afghanistan to the west and northwest, Iran to the southwest, India to the east, and China to the northeast. Pakistan has an extremely varied geographical outlook, including mountains, deserts, major rivers and the sea. Pakistan experiences frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe, especially in north and west.

Security: Islamabad is a family duty station. For all official travel, UN Security Clearance is required/mandatory. Registration with home embassy is highly recommended. International Staff deployed in Pakistan are required to report to Security Unit for detail briefing.

Guest Houses: The UNV Field Unit will help arrange your initial accommodation, at your expense (Settling-in Grant is foreseen for this). Telecommunications: There is one major fixed line provider (PTCL) and 4 cellular companies (Mobilink, Ufone, Telenor and Zong). 3G service is being provided by almost all cellular companies. Call rates vary but are extremely cheap for some Western countries. All cellular operators in Pakistan use GSM platform. Country code for Pakistan is +92 and City code for Islamabad is (0)51.

Electricity (Voltage): Electricity in Pakistan is 220-240 Volts.

Health: State of the art health facilities are available throughout the country and especially Islamabad. Dental care facilities are also available. There are no mandatory vaccines required to travel to Pakistan. Currently dengue fever is on the rise in Pakistan especially in Punjab. Mosquito repellents are recommended. There are other health facilities in Islamabad which have been recognized by WHO.

Diet, Food and Water: There are many local markets around Islamabad as well as various supermarkets that are stocked with imported goods. Islamabad has a large number of restaurants and cafes. Tap water is not advisable and bottled water is available almost everywhere. Using alcoholic drinks in public is illegal in Pakistan.

Money/banking: Current US dollar exchange rate is 1 USD = PKR 290. To receive payments locally, UNV unit will help you open a bank account with Standard Chartered Bank. This will be a paired account where you can use it both for US dollar as well as Pak Rupee. ATM machines can be found throughout the country.

Climate: The climate is generally characterized by hot summers and cool or cold winters. From June to September, most of the country is lashed by the South West Monsoon, which leads to heavy rainfall and high humidity. Islamabad has a humid subtropical climate, with hot summers accompanied by a monsoon season followed by fairly cold winters. The hottest months are May and June, where average highs routinely exceed 38 °C (100.4 °F).

Respect: Pakistan is a conservative country and it is advisable for women to wear long skirts or trousers in public (Pakistani women wear the traditional shalwar kameez, but in the big cities, women wearing jeans and khakis is not very uncommon sight, especially in casual settings, shopping malls and around picnic spots). Dress codes for men are more lax, though shorts are uncommon. Men should never shake hands with or touch a woman they don't know very well. As with most of South Asia, the right hand is used for eating, shaking hands and giving or receiving everything (including money), while the left hand is reserved for handling shoes and assisting in toilet duties. Discussion about religion and Islam should remain respectful and positive.