Construction Engineering Technician - Senior Assistant

Mid Senior Engineering

Overview

Support construction supervision and management efforts for sustainable projects.

You have:

• Completion of secondary school, or National certificate level qualification in Civil Engineering, or a relevant field, is required.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting the building construction field is required.
• Multi-tasking, flexibility, and attention to details while maintaining a high service level is preferable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 2010, and internet is necessary.
• Ability to draft various types of documentation in English is desirable.
• Knowledge and use of drafting skills with AutoCAD software is desirable.
• Work Experience with UNOPS or any other UN Agencies is an asset.
• Proficiency with computers, and other software/platforms related to the position of expertise including good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is desired.
• Working knowledge of a local language either Sinhala or Tamil is required.
• Working knowledge of English is essential.

Contract

This is a LICA-5 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 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about LICA-5 contracts.

Background Information - Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka

UNOPS in Sri Lanka is based in Colombo and is responsible for helping the Government of Sri Lanka and partner organizations deliver social and economic rehabilitation in areas affected by the 2004 tsunami and decades of armed conflict. UNOPS in Sri Lanka helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including physical infrastructure, the environment and poverty mitigation. UNOPS has supported Sri Lanka’s development since 1998, expanding operations in 2005 to support the post-tsunami response and reconstruction process. Within the organization’s mandate in project management, infrastructure, and procurement, UNOPS Sri Lanka implements customized socio-economic development projects that benefit vulnerable people and develop national capacities. Achievements in Sri Lanka include the development of sustainable and climate-resilient infrastructure, procurement services & capacity building, and project management in education, fisheries, roads, health, water supply systems; flood control and sanitation, and integrated solid waste management sectors. UNOPS works closely with Government counterparts and communities to ensure increased ownership, sustainability, and accountability of Projects.

UNOPS Sri Lanka facilitated over $22 million worth of procurement of COVID-19 protection equipment and services in partnership with the World Bank, the Government of Japan, and the United Nations Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Currently, UNOPS is conducting about $5 million pharmaceutical procurement to strengthen the Sri Lanka health system and support the people in need.

Project Information:

UNOPS has signed an MOU with an intergovernmental organization called SACEP (South Asia Cooperative Environment Program). SACEP is implementing the World Bank (WB)-funded Plastic Free Rivers & Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project in South Asia. In accordance with the Agreement, UNOPS should provide implementation support and advice to SACEP in implementing the (PLEASE). In particular, UNOPS is expected to assist the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) in implementing a Regional Competitive Block Grant (RBG) under Component 1 of PLEASE. Under Component 3, UNOPS was entrusted with the construction of the SACEP headquarters building in Colombo.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Construction Engineering Technician - Senior Assistant, operating within the implementation team, holds a direct reporting line to the Infrastructure Project Manager and collaborates extensively with the Project Engineer and other team members. This role is primarily dedicated to General construction Supervision and Management, Reporting & Administrative Support and Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing, focusing efforts on elevating health and safety at construction sites in strict compliance with prevailing regulations. The Senior Assistant supports the process of a comprehensive approach to health, safety, social, and environmental considerations within the project's operational landscape.

Functional Responsibilities

The Construction Engineering Technician - Senior Assistant will report directly to the Project Manager and work in full coordination with the Project Engineer and other Project team members. The incumbent is responsible for assisting with all construction management tasks required to ensure timely, cost effective, safe and quality delivery of the project. He/she may be required to assist in the following tasks:

1. General construction supervision and management: - Support the supervision of the Contractor’s construction activities. - Support for the maintenance of QA/QC reports throughout the implementation, including stage testing and verification of activities completion sign-offs and the preparation and collection of data as input for completing of handover documentation and O&M plan. - Support the project team in monitoring the performance of quality, quantity, and timeliness of construction works. - Assist the project team in checking the quality of work done and the contents of all necessary documentation. - Support in verifying contractor compliance, managing activities and approvals, and assessing work for progress payments. - Perform other tasks as assigned by the Project Manager.

2. Reporting and Administrative Support: - Ensure thorough organization and filing of all progress reports, QC reports, and contractor work approvals. - Participate in site coordination meetings with the contractor and project team as necessary and prepare the meeting minutes. - Check all laboratory reports, operation and maintenance manuals, and keep and file the records and report to the Project Manager accordingly. - Support the assessment of work activities of contractor/s, measurements of completed work and make recommendations to the Project Engineer for progress payments to contractors. - Carrying out other reporting and administrative tasks as assigned by the Project Manager.

3. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing:

• Assist with the project's evaluation process; highlight challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.
• Contribute to training and knowledge transfer to national/contractor personnel including sending reminders about UNOPS good construction and engineering practices, environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during construction.
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.
• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice, actively interact with other Engineers and the Engineering community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.
• Setting Operational Health & Safety examples on site through exemplary behavior and identifying deficiencies.
• Carrying out other tasks as assigned by the Project Manager.

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls - Regular monitoring of Program/Schedule monitoring. - Provide support with the daily site supervision and controlling. - Participate in meetings with project stakeholders. - Proactively highlighting the risks, issues with quality, timeliness and safety. - Keeping site records relating to materials, labor and plants and equipment at sites.

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - Completion of secondary school, or National certificate level qualification in Civil Engineering, or a relevant field, is required.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in supporting the building construction field is required.
• Multi-tasking, flexibility and attention to details while maintaining a high service level is preferable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 2010, and internet.
• Ability to draft various types of documentation in English is desirable.
• Knowledge and use of drafting skills with AutoCAD software is desirable.
• Work Experience with UNOPS or any other UN Agencies is an asset.
• Proficiency with computers, and other software/ platforms related to the position of expertise and good experience in working with the G-Suite platform including, Google Drive, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides is desired.

Language

• Working knowledge of a local language either Sinhala or Tamil is required.
• Working knowledge of English is essential.

Contract type, level and duration

• Contract type: ICA - Individual Contractor Agreement
• Contract level: Local ICA Support 5
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA - 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

Additional Information

• This vacancy is open for SRI LANKAN Nationals ONLY.
• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• 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 (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.unops.org