Peer Review Stream Lead

Contract

This is a IICA-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as International Individual Contractor Agreements. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's an external contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-2 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC****O****)

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and South 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, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.

Background Information - The Technical Services Unit (TSU)

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design and design review, assessments and advisory work for infrastructure related UNOPS projects. The team currently comprises 19 permanent and 60+ retainer (consultant) personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure practitioners (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians in addition to support personnel.

Current / recent projects are based in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique and Madagascar. These projects comprise a range of types of horizontal and vertical infrastructure

The Unit is based in Nairobi, but works extensively in other locations, via travel and by using the network of retainer (consultant) personnel based elsewhere in Africa and beyond. The team has been increasingly tasked with peer reviewing the designs for infrastructure for implementation by UNOPS

The TSU is a business unit for the Multi-Country office and comes under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMCO).

Functional Responsibilities

The Peer Review Stream Lead will work as part of the Technical Services Unit reviewing infrastructure design packages prepared in French and English. S/he will lead a small group of dedicated reviewers (peer review stream) and have a network of specialist retainer (consultant) personnel at their disposal. S/he will be familiar with UNOPS’s infrastructure review processes, codes typically used in Africa and an excellent communicator in both English and French.

Specific tasks are outlined below

a. Liaison with project managers and centralized function personnel - Respond to requests for peer reviews originating from various sources. - Agreeing the scope, timeline and budget based on resource availability. - Liaising with HQ and regional personnel when required to expedite reviews and responses. - Actively seek opportunities to support projects in other geographies.

b. Team leadership - Manage and coach the peer review stream personnel - Conduct formal performance reviews twice annually - Agree on the effort required from retainer personnel and sign off on their claims - Participate in recruitment of additional personnel where required.

c. Collaboration and knowledge sharing - Work in a collaborative manner with project managers, scoping guidance at appropriate stages during the design process - Consult with the peer review stream personnel, as well as the wider TSU to distribute workload effectively, - Regularly share lessons learned - Actively and regularly participate in TSU and Africa region informal and formal meetings.

d. Technical and quality assurance - Determine the strategy for reviewing each project, - Actively review certain projects, using professional judgement - Assign reviews to individuals and agree delivery parameters - Appoint focal point leads for each review and support teams in delivering to schedule and quality - Seek feedback from designers, project managers and others - Any other duties assigned by the TSU senior manager

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - An advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent), preferably in Civil Engineering or Civil & Infrastructure, or related areas, is required. - A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Professional Registration - Full member status registration with a recognized professional built environment body is an asset.

Experience - Minimum five (5) years of demonstrable relevant experience in design and review of buildings and road infrastructure is required - Experience working in geographical exposure - Africa is desirable - Candidates with experience working on rural infrastructure projects will be preferred. - Proficiency in the use of Google Workspace is desirable.

Language Requirements - Full working knowledge of English is required. - Full working knowledge of French is required. - Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset.

Competencies

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (ICA) Contract level: International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA-2) / ICSC-10 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

Additional Information

• 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.