Quantity Surveyor - Retainer

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 - Job-specific

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)

The KEMC 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 primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Background Information - Job-specific

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) engages in multidisciplinary design, assessments and advisory work, and manages relationships with other technical stakeholders such as specialist design firms for high risk structures.

The Technical Services Unit (TSU) currently provides design services for infrastructure works to Project Managers. Recently the team has expanded its offering to include consulting services such as assessments, feasibility studies and advisory services on a wide range of infrastructure types.

The TSU currently has 17 permanent and 60+ retainer personnel including architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, quantity surveyors, GIS and specialist infrastructure advisors (for dams, ICT, safeguards, biomedical works inter alia) and CAD technicians as well as support personnel. Current projects are underway / imminent in Kenya, Somalia, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique and Cameroon.

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 (KEMC).

Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment Under the overall supervision of the Technical Services Unit Manager in Nairobi, Kenya the Quantity Surveyor will give his/her technical expertise as required to provide input to bills of quantities, estimates, local insights and evaluations for infrastructure works, conduct assessments and or monitor site works, evaluate variations and provide high quality related documentation.

The Quantity Surveyor (retainer) shall be called on an ad-hoc basis to support various projects in assessments by providing a mix of costing, market intelligence and production of bills of quantity.

Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for the following substantive tasks. The tasks would involve the following but not limited to:

Planning:

• Work closely with Architects, Engineers, Draftsmen and other professionals in the Planning of projects, scheduling of tasks and developing integrated design documentation.
• Responsible for developing the unit rates systems for the relevant market geography. He/she shall maintain a register of unit rates of materials and labour for preparation of cost estimates.
• Responsible for the preparation of preliminary costs estimates for project proposals

Project delivery:

• Responsible for the timeous preparation and review of the BoQs, specifications and related documents and ensuring they meet the quality standard requirements.
• Responsible for the preparation of Engineer’s estimates and will be responsible to withhold this from contractors to avoid collusion.
• Responsible for carrying out financial evaluations of tenders.
• Carrying out site inspections and assessments as need arises and preparing subsequent reports.
• Carrying out valuations of works and preparing subsequent reports.

Knowledge sharing:

• Actively engage in knowledge sharing and improving professional skills.

An agreed task order including the scope, deliverables and the maximum time duration will be agreed upon by the Technical Services Unit and the Quantity Surveyor prior to commencement of each and every assignment. He/she is responsible for ensuring timeous delivery of services as defined in the task order.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education

Minimum Qualification - Bachelor's degree in Quantity Surveying from an accredited university is required.

b. Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years experience in Quantity Surveying is required.
• Minimum 4 years experience in Excel and or Google Suite applications is required.
• Previous experience in developing countries and knowledge in the Malawi country context is an asset.

c. Language Requirements - Full working knowledge of English is required. - Knowledge of a second UN or regional working language is an asset.

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.

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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement Contract level: ICS 9/ LICA 9 Contract duration: One year renewable subject to satisfactory performance 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 Information

• 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.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and it is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or disability.
• 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 retainer contracts, you must complete the Mandatory Courses in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, 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 recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits. This is a local post for Malawi Nationals.