Project Engineer

Contract

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

UNDP has been active in Tajikistan since 1994 and has supported the Government and people of Tajikistan through delivery of programmes focused on poverty reduction, economic development, governance, human rights and rule of law, environmental protection, climate change and DRR. UNDP provides upstream policy support and community-based development to marginalized rural populations with the aim of addressing Inequalities of opportunities and promoting more effective, equitable and sustainable development. UNDP delivers on its programme through its presence in Dushanbe and at sub-national level.

In January 2023 UNDP in Tajikistan has launched the ‘“The Project for Promoting Effective Border Management Applying a Human Security Approach for Communities of Border Area with Afghanistan to support the Government of Tajikistan to maintain an ‘open but secure’ approach to the Tajik-Afghan border that defends and extends the human security of border communities. Continuing the capacity development of border agencies achieved under previous UNDP Border Management initiatives, the new project seeks to inform policy making, strengthen coordination, and build capacities of State agencies for border security, facilitation of economic exchange in border areas while strengthening security, building, and/or expanding digital border, customs and trade facilitation systems.
The project will continue to improve border management of the Tajik-Afghan border to ensure that it is open but secure, flexible and prepared for all potential scenarios, including facilitation of humanitarian assistance, emergency refugee response, and maintenance of public health, while able to deliver on its positive potential to promote food security and improved economic livelihoods for the local communities that live on both sides. The project is funded by the Government of Japan through Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) and is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tajik Border Force, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Customs Service and Drug Control Agency. It also ensures close synergies with the Japan funded Livelihoods Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas (LITACA) project of UNDP.
The project is implemented along the Tajik-Afghan border. Main challenges of the project implementation environment are related to security in bordering regions, climate and remoteness.

Furthermore, UNVs are encouraged to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications. They should actively participate in UNV activities, such as events that mark International Volunteer Day (IVD).

• Familiarize themselves with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.

• Engage in reflection on the type and quality of voluntary action they are undertaking. This includes participating in ongoing reflection activities.

• Contribute articles or write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.

• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme, offering support and guidance to newly arrived UNVs.

• Promote or provide advice to local groups on the use of online volunteering. They should also encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Within the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the Team Leader for Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the UN Volunteer Project Engineer will:

Task 1: Planning and design of infrastructure projects.

• Organize and conduct assessment in accordance with the Project Document along the Tajik Afghan border to identify infrastructure needs and priorities of national partners in the field.
• Conducting physical assessment for rehabilitation of existing buildings; prepare fixed schedule of renovation works and procurement of goods according to UNDP procurement guides; Estimate costs, prepare specifications for materials, and prepare Bill of Quantities. Conducting assessment to construct water supply systems at communities.
• Assisting in the review of the quality of the executed work, built-in materials and verify that the quality responds to related regulations and specifications.
• Intervene to resolve civil works related problems and recommend corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work and managing these corrections upon the approval by the Project Manager.
• Provide early warning to the Project Manager of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the civil works, procurement of goods and etc..
• Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports.

Task 2:.Procurement - Review infrastructure design and BOQs to ensure compliance with UNDP procurement requirements, construction/rehabilitation policy, and related formatting. - In close cooperation with project and procurement staff, initiate tendering process for involvement of design and/or construction companies for service delivery. - Provide technical expertise and assistance to the project activities requiring engineering services (preparation of drawings for rehabilitation of building, facilitating tender processes, and contract management of infrastructure projects); - Participate in tender evaluation process to provide engineering inputs in assessing received bids and provide feedback/advice to panel members.

Task 3: Monitoring - Develop detailed field monitoring plans, conducing regular and close monitoring of activities at the project sites, and ensure timely reporting and follow up on the outcomes of field visits.
- Assess potential risks, check, and certify quality of materials and market costs related to the constructions/renovations. - Monitor the work of subcontractors to ensure rehabilitation works are proceeding according to the agreed schedule; oversee rehabilitation/construction works to ensure UNDP organizational standards are being upheld. - Develop and maintain current project databases, maintain proper paper and electronic filing systems, contributing to tracking the project budgets by analyzing all related costs.
- Ensure timely and appropriate hand over of infrastructure objects to the beneficiaries.
- Carrying out other duties as required by management.

Accountability Adaptability and flexibility Client Orientation Commitment and motivation Communication Integrity Creativity Judgement and decision-making Planning and organizing Professionalism Self-management Working in Teams

progressively responsible functions in construction management, site planning or a related field. • Proven experience with site planning and ability to achieve quality results, on time and within available resources. • Proven ability to deal with multiple tasks in a courteous and service-oriented manner in demanding working conditions that other have short deadlines. • Ability towards analytical and creative thinking for rapid solutions. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners and authorities at different levels. • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in AutoCAD, various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. • Sound security awareness.

Entitlements for International UN Volunteer Specialists in Tajikistan as of January 2024:

1. Pre-assignment Entry lump sum - USD 4000 Relocation costs -Lump sum provided based on route for travel to the duty station and repatriation

2. During assignment Volunteer living allowance - USD 2404.36/month Learning - Access to UNV's learning and career development resources Annual leave - 2.5 days per month Insurance - Comprehensive coverage for health, life and malicious acts for the UN Volunteer and health insurance coverage for up to 3 eligible dependents . See the Conditions of Service for more details on eligibility criteria. Home visit - May apply depending on duty station and length of service. See the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service for more information Family allowance -$250 per month for one dependent. $450 per month for two or more dependents Travel for dependents -Subject to approval. See conditions of service for full details.

3. End of assignment Exit allowance (paid on successful completion of the assignment) - $225 for each month served, paid on completion of contract

The above summary is provided as information only and is subject to change. For further information on the full range of entitlements and eligibility criteria, please read the UN Volunteer Conditions of Service

The Republic of Tajikistan is a landlocked, mountainous, lower-middle-income country in Central Asia. The country is vulnerable to internal and external shocks due to low economic development, frequent natural disasters, and socioeconomic disparities.

More than 10 million people belonging to over 80 nationalities and ethnic groups reside in Tajikistan. Tajiks (one of the most ancient peoples in the world, belonging to the Iranian group of the Indo-European family) make up 80 percent; Uzbeks – 15.3 percent; Russians – about 1.1 percent; there are also Tatars, Kyrgyz and other ethnic groups. The density of population is 48 persons per square kilometer.

Tajikistan has a youthful population, 61 per cent of its total population of 9.5 million is under the age of 30. The annual population growth rate is 2.2 per cent. Despite progress in poverty reduction, 26 per cent of the population still lives below the poverty line, mostly in rural areas, where almost 73 per cent of the population live. Seasonal labour migration is high. Around 500,000 working-age people, mostly men, leave the country every year as temporary labour migrants, mainly to the Russian Federation. Despite regional instability and global inflation, Tajikistan had strong economic growth and record-low inflation in 2022. Economic activity was bolstered by remittances flows and expanded services and industrial production. Real GDP expanded by 8% in 2022, following the recovery of 2021. The length of the state border of the Republic of Tajikistan with Uzbekistan in the western and northern directions is 1161 kilometers; with Kyrgyz Republic – 987 kilometers; with Afghanistan in the south – 1332 kilometers; and with China in the east – 495 kilometers.

Climate in Tajikistan is moderate, sharply continental and dry. In January, temperatures in lowland areas fluctuate from 0 С to -10 С; in mountainous areas down to -30 C. In June temperatures in valleys fluctuate from +23 С to +40 C; in the mountains – from +4 С to +15 С.

Dushanbe is a clean, European-style city. The city is located in Gisar valley at 2,700 ft above sea level and has wide tree-lined streets with plenty of cafés to enjoy coffee or tea with local sweets. Dushanbe is the financial, political, administrative, and cultural capital of Tajikistan. All Government offices and Embassies are in Dushanbe.

Gallup's Law and Order Index 2023 - a report by global analytic firm Gallup -- has positioned Tajikistan as one of the world's most secure country.