Principal Engineer

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

Located in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo the UNOPS Multi-Country office covers eleven countries: Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda, and has an active portfolio of over $300 million, with many infrastructure projects. The office has developed strong working relations with international partners, UN agencies including UN Missions and Governments across Central Africa over the years. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas including infrastructure rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management and sectoral advisory services; peace and security, environmental preservation and protection among others.

Functional Responsibilities

The Principal Engineer provides technical assistance and expertise with reference to the construction works as well as field coordination, ensuring high quality and consistency of work, for the a/m construction works . The Principal Engineer promotes a collaborative, client focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Project Team.

The Principal Engineer will report to the Senior Project Manager

1.General construction

• Plan and coordinate work activities with the Senior Project Engineer.
• Take timely action to prevent potential delays and/or cost overruns that can be avoided.
• Report and recommend remedial actions regarding potential delays and/or cost overruns to the Project Manager.
• Provide supervision of project work progress and quality for on-time project delivery.
• Monitor contractor presence on the project site, including Bill of Quantities (BoQ) as per approved contract.
• Provide data and information about project work to the Project Manager for reporting purposes.

• Provide monthly report to the Project Manager detailing all project matters including quality, health and safety, environmental and financial, as well as any issues relating to possible delays, cost overruns, variations and any other matter as agreed with the Project manager

  2.Feasibility study/needs assessment

The Principal Engineer will complete the below activities whenever requested on area covered by his/her duty station:

• Complete needs assessment, organize preliminary studies and monitor/supervising consultants.
• Support the review of requests for new construction and rehabilitation works .
• Carry out assessments and prepare reports with recommendations for follow up actions.

• Assist the Project Manager in redacting the tender dossier, with particular focus to the technical documents (drawings, BoQ, technical specification and standards).

  3.Design Management

• Assist the Project Manager to outline design requirements (e.g. timeline) to procure design services, including concept, preliminary and final stages where applicable.

• Assist the Project Manager to manage the design plan ensuring deliverables are available on time, and to the required quality.
• Prepare the BoQ for comment and approval by the Project Manager.

• Assist the procurement team with technical assistance in preparation of tender documentation and bid analysis where required.

  4.Construction supervision

• As tasked by the Project Manager, supervise construction works and administer works execution as per the contractual provisions and the design specifications.

• Ensure quantity/quality control and time schedule consistency.
• Verify that works are consistent with the project technical specifications and inform promptly of eventual deviations.
• Support the overall management of works implementation to ensure constructions works are completed on time, within budget and to quality standards.
• Provide regular supervision of the project work progress and quality for on time delivery.
• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of project/contracts related documentations such as periodic progress reports, site monitoring reports, stake holder meeting minutes, engineer’s instructions and variation orders, contractor’s bills review reports, certifications, client hand-over documents and contracts close-out reports.

• Oversee surveying works, engineering control of the works etc.

  5.Knowledge management

• Assist in providing training and technology transfer to national personnel and contractor’s personnel and advice on good construction practices, good 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.

  6.Functional competencies

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge and commitment to continuous learning.

• Demonstrates results orientation and focus on solutions.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with clients, donors and other stakeholders.
• Ability to plan work in a collaborative manner and to manage priorities
• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the goals of the project and in accordance with UNOPS shared goals
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

  7.Technical competencies

• Must have a strong background in construction management,

• Practical experience of conducting non paved road work in remote environments,
• Practical experience of conducting labor based maintenance road project in the remote environments.
• Practical experience on metal decking bridges and large concrete box culvert construction.
• Practical experience of conducting a team for various infrastructure assessment
• Understanding of the humanitarian operations in post conflict context,

The Principal Engineer is responsible for keeping abreast of new developments in engineering.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field is required. - A combination of a Bachelor’s degree with an additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Experience: - A minimum of five (5) years of experience, related to the project requirements, in civil engineering construction management, non-paved road construction is required. - Work experience in post-conflict/ fragile environments is desirable. - Some experience in the UN system organizations and/or a developing country is desirable. - It is expected that the Principal Engineer is an active member in a professional engineering body

Language: - Fluency in French is required - Intermediate english is essential

Certification: - Certification in Project Management (PRINCE2 Practitioner, PMI, etc. is an asset - Professional certification from an accredited institution ( PEng., CEng. , etc) is an asset - AutoCAD certification 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

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level : I-ICA 2(ISC10)
3. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

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

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)

3. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

4. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)

5. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)

6. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

7. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)

8. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)

9. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

10. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)

11. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)
12. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

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

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)
3. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

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

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)
3. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

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

1. Contract type : International Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level : I-ICA 1(ISC8)
3. Contract duration : Ongoing ICA

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.
• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC IS A NON DUTY FAMILY MISSION
• CANDIDATES WITH NO UN OR UNOPS EXPERIENCE ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

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.

Background information - DR Congo

Based in Kinshasa, DRC, the UNOPS Multi country Office (CDOH) in Central Africa covers eleven countries including DRC, RC, CAR, Angola, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Rwanda, Burundi, and Madagascar. The office has developed strong working relations with international partners, UN agencies including UN Missions and Governments across Central Africa over the years. It provides technical support and capacity building in strategic development areas including infrastructure construction and rehabilitation and development across health, education, public works, governance/public administration sectors; procurement, project management, amongst others..