Lead Water Engineer

This opening expired 2 years ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services

Open positions at UNOPS
Logo of UNOPS

Application deadline 2 years ago: Sunday 12 Dec 2021 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

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 - 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.

Background Information - Pakistan

UNOPS Pakistan (Project Office) is part of the Bangladesh Multi Country Office in the Asia Region. UNOPS commenced operations in Pakistan in 1999 and significantly up-scaled activities from 2005 onwards to support populations affected by and vulnerable to earthquakes. In 2010, UNOPS opened a permanent office in Islamabad to support the Government of Pakistan and other partners to undertake humanitarian and reconstruction services, following the most devastating flood in the nation’s history.

UNOPS Pakistan has been implementing projects in the areas of early recovery and reconstruction of community infrastructure, project management, monitoring and evaluation, community development, fund management, human resources management, procurement and infrastructure design and implementation.

Supported strategically by a regional operational hub and UNOPS headquarters in Copenhagen and within the overarching framework of the ONE UN Programme, UNOPS Pakistan continues to deliver projects across the country under its core delivery practices of sustainable infrastructure, sustainable procurement, and sustainable project management.

With a steady growth of the project portfolio in recent years and a new strategic direction, UUNOPS in Pakistan is currently implementing projects in the following thematic areas: Green and Clean energy; Rule of Law; Health Procurement; and HR services.

Background Information - Job-specific

The WASH KP and Sindh project Funded by USAID, the project “Improved Access to Water and Sanitation Services in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh” was initiated in September 2021. The project aims at improving access to clean and safe water, hygiene and sanitation and increasing the resilience of communities affected by floods in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces. It is expected to last 5 years, until December 2026.

The project is articulated around three main components:

  • Improve quality and reach of water supply services and increase access to community and household sanitation (Infrastructure);
  • Provide more effective, gender-responsive and transparent WASH services through enhanced capacity of government and communities (Capacity Building);
  • Reduce waterborne diseases and improve resilience of communities through improved community and household hygiene practices (Behavioral Change).

The project will start with a participatory needs assessment phase in coordination with all its stakeholders in view of identifying priorities and precising the specific outputs under each of the three components of the project.

Among the first positions to be hired, a Lead Water Engineer, based in Peshawar with frequent travels to Karachi, will be part of the backbone of the new project team.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected Under the supervision of the Project Manager or her/his Deputy, the Lead Water Engineer will perform the following tasks: 1. Technical assessments of WASH infrastructures; 2. Design of WASH infrastructure works; 3. Costing of WASH infrastructure works, services or equipment; 4. Planning of WASH infrastructure works; 5. Procurement of WASH infrastructure works, services or equipment; 6. Supervision of WASH infrastructure works; 7. Contract management of WASH infrastructure works; 8. Reporting on project’s infrastructure components; 9. Handover of WASH infrastructure works and DNP management; 10. Personnel management.

1.Technical assessment of WASH infrastructures - Conduct technical assessment of existing water supply, sanitation and solid waste management infrastructures. - Prepare concise and structured reports on the current state of the infrastructures assessed and on the works required to upgrade them to acceptable (inter)national standards and best practices.

2. Design of WASH infrastructure works - Identify and summarize all national legal prescriptions applicable to water supply, sanitation and solid waste management renovation/construction works (building code, electrical code, environmental laws, labor laws, etc.). Record, organize and disseminate those documents to the concerned stakeholders (e.g. design firms, international retainers, etc.). - Prepare/review detailed design packages (specifications, BOQs and drawings) and documentation, in compliance with all relevant national and international design codes and standards, UNOPS Design Manual, project requirements and in line with available budgets. - If the detailed design is outsourced, coordinate and follow up with the design firm(s) and all stakeholders involved in the design (internal and external) to complete the preparation of the design packages (specifications, BOQs and drawings). - Submit the design packages to the IPMG Design Review Unit, coordinate the responses to the queries raised by all stakeholders during the design review, and conduct all necessary due diligence in view of obtaining the Design Review Certificate in the best possible timeframe.

3.Costing of WASH infrastructure works, services or equipment - Conduct researches, costs analyses and market surveys to estimate the costs of water supply, sanitation and solid waste management works, services or equipment. - Develop, maintain and disseminate cost databases related to those works, services or equipment, based on thorough research and cost analysis. - Prepare/review budgets for water supply, sanitation and solid waste management renovation/construction works at different levels (from preliminary estimates to detailed budgets) based on the stage of the project, the time available and the level of accuracy required. - In collaboration with the HSSE Associate, include the cost of the Health, Safety, Environmental and Social (HSSE) requirements in the cost estimates for the works.

4. Planning of WASH infrastructure works - In collaboration with the PM/DPM, the Procurement Associate and the HSSE Associate, prepare the implementation plans and schedules for the works (including all HSSE requirements and considerations). - Obtain all permits, licenses and approvals necessary to execute the planned works. - Advise the PM/DPM on all the resources necessary to implement the works (in case of direct implementation) or the resources necessary to supervise and monitor the works (human resources, site premises, fleet, material, equipment, etc.).

5. Procurement of WASH infrastructure works, services or equipment - Participate in the preparation of tender documents for water supply, sanitation and solid waste management works, services or equipment; advising the PM and other team members on the best selection criteria (including HSSE criteria), and drafting documents in UNOPS e-sourcing procurement system. - Participate in the related tender processes (conduct pre-bid meetings, provide clarifications to bidders, coordinate site visits, participate in bids opening, etc.), always acting in compliance with the provisions of the Procurement Manual. - Participate in the evaluation of the related bids (conduct detailed and substantiated technical evaluations, verify and assess the references submitted by the bidders, etc.), always acting in full compliance with the provision of the Procurement Manual.

6.Supervision of WASH infrastructure works - Supervise directly water supply, sanitation and solid waste management works (guide the contractor to ensure proper execution, troubleshoot issues, verify quantities, assess quality, conduct tests, accept/reject works, order rework, etc.), escalating issues to the Project Manager or WASH Specialist as appropriate. - Set up remote supervision systems to delegate the supervision of the works to Junior Site Engineers (set up the project in the “UNOPS Sites” application, contribute to the design of implementation dashboards, etc.). - Manage the remote works supervision systems (provide guidance to Junior Engineers, troubleshoot issues, verify quantities, assess quality, review tests results, accept/reject works, order rework, etc.). - When supervision is delegated, conduct frequent spot checks on site (assess the quality of the works, conduct tests, order rework, etc.). - Implement the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) plans on all sites. Enforce contractors’ HSSE obligations, using all necessary means to guarantee the health and safety of all on the worksites (including seeking approval to suspend the works or applying financial penalties if necessary). - Prepare/review site memos, instructions and reports to be issued to the contractor. - Ensure that complete organized construction records (memos, instructions, reports, pictures, test results, etc.) are kept for all sites. - Monitor and track the progress of the works and address all implementation issues (technical, quality, supply chain and logistics, changes, variations, human resources, financial, health and safety, environment, etc.).

7.Contract management of WASH infrastructure works - Conduct water supply, sanitation and solid waste management contracts initiation (lead start-up meetings, obtain right of access to the sites, inspect the sites’ setup and the contractor’s equipment, review and approve contractors’ key personnel and subcontractors, etc.). - Conduct frequent progress review meetings with the contractors, prepare, circulate and record the minutes of meetings and follow up on the completion of the action points. - Review, approve/reject and certify the interim payment certificates (IPCs) submitted by the contractors. - In close collaboration with the PM/DPM and the Procurement Associate, ensure the formal management of the works contracts in line with UNOPS contracts modalities and procedures (prepare contractual notices and directions, prepare taking over certificates and final completion certificates, determine claims, prepare variation orders, prepare contract amendments, enforce delay damages and other financial penalties, manage disputes, terminations, arbitration processes, etc.). - Seek guidance and support from the experts of UNOPS HQ IPAS PMI and IPAS Legal whenever required, and implement the action plans jointly defined with them.

8. Reporting on project’s infrastructure components - Report timely and accurately on the progress of all the infrastructure components of the project, with a focus on impact, quality, risks & issues, and lessons learned.

9. Handover of WASH infrastructure works and DNP management - Draft procedures for testing, commissioning, training users and handing over water supply, sanitation and solid waste management infrastructure works. - Ensure that all testing, commissioning, training and handover procedures are implemented and documented at all times. - Manage the one-year Defect Notification Period following the "end of the infrastructure works (respond to complaints from users, visit sites handed over, assess complaints and identify possible defects, liaise with the contractors to enforce the rectification of defects through the use of all applicable contractual instruments, monitor the rectification of those defects, manage issues in coordination with the PMO Manager and IPAS PMI whenever required, liaise with the authorities when necessary, build the capacity of the relevant government entities to ensure the long term maintenance of the works delivered, issue Taking Over Certificates and Final Completion Certificates and close the contracts in accordance with UNOPS policies and procedures, contribute to the operational and financial closure of the project).

10. Personnel management - Lead and motivate supervisees (Engineers, Procurement Associate, Project Management Support Associate) and act as a role-model. - Ensure that behavioral expectations of supervisees are established. - Set performance objectives with supervisees and conduct performance reviews fairly, accurately and timely. - Guide, mentor and coach supervisees through frequent exchanges, identify and nurture talents. - Monitor safety and security of supervisees (in particular those based in the field) and comply with UNDSS standards at all times.

Impact of Results - The Lead Water Engineer directly impacts the success of the project’s infrastructure components of the project by ensuring the quality of the technical assessments and the designs, the accuracy of the costing, the soundness of the planning, best value for money in procurement, vigilance in the supervision of the works, rigor in contract management, accuracy in reporting, systematism in handover, proactivity in the DNP management and leadership and motivation of all the infrastructure team.

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.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:

  • Master Degree in Water Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
  • Bachelor Degree in Water Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent plus 2 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a master's degree.

Experience: - A minimum of 2 years of relevant and progressive professional experience in the fields of water supply and water sanitation. - Experience with solid waste management is an asset. - Experience with UN agencies, NGOs or governmental agencies active in the WASH sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Sindh province is an asset.

Language Requirements: - Full professional knowledge of English is essential. - Fluency in Urdu and one or more Pakistan regional languages (in particular Pashto or Sindhi) is an advantage.

Contract type, level and duration

  • Contract type: Individual Contract Agreement Agreement (ICA)
  • Contract level: Local ICA Specialist (L-ICA 9)
  • Contract duration: Ongoing subject to satisfactory performance, continued relevance of the role to the project and funding availability

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 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.

Mobility: The position will be based in Peshawar with frequent travels to Karachi and occasional travels to Islamabad. Candidate is also expected to travel regularly across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces for extended field trips.

Cover Letter:

Applicants are required to submit a Cover Letter with their applications. Applications without Cover Letter shall be discarded.

Gender mainstreaming:

In line with UNOPS’ global gender parity strategy, female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.*

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