Senior Environmental Engineer (Coastal Engineering)

Contract

This is a IICA-3 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 7 years of experience, depending on education. More about IICA-3 contracts.

Background Information - Job-specific

East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia - 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2022, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 95.7 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

Functional Responsibilities

UNOPS is seeking to engage a Senior Environmental Engineer with extensive knowledge of suitable coastal protection infrastructure and nature based solutions, ideally in the Pacific, to assist in the design and implementation of new coastal protection projects in the Pacific.

The scope of work comprises the following activities:

Rapid assessments

• Site Assessment, literature review and establishing the design context
• Collect and collate baseline information sourced from Partners Government and other organisations;
• Undertake a desktop review of the available information and prepare a plan for the field visit,
• Conduct scoping missions to assess needs and status of existing coastal protection measures;
• Condition assessment of coastal structures
• Metocean and coastal monitoring and data collection
• Coastal processes assessments
• Development of sand budgets
• Numerical modelling of waves, currents, sediment transport and morphology
• Analysis and modelling of tropical cyclones and other storms
• Development of constraints and opportunities to inform coastal protection options
• Technical advice and support for community engagement (when applicable)
• Carry out an assessment of the sites requiring coastal protection.
• Investigate the capacity of local physical works contractors and the availability and cost of construction materials.
• Prepare a scoping mission presentation and reports.
• Develop concept coastal protection options for identified pilot site.
• Support the preparation of budgets for the proposed interventions
• Prepare a timeline for the proposed interventions;.

Design:

• TOR for concept design services
• Development of basis of designs for coastal protection works

Stakeholder Management

• Support the dialogue with Governments, Funding Partners and community representatives.
• Cooperate with other coastal protection engineers selected by the PM/Portfolio Manager to carry out the assessment, if and when required.

Quality Assurance

• Review project documentation and budgets on coastal protection infrastructures and advise the PM and the Portfolio manager on the next steps during project implementation.

• Review project outputs and provide advice to the PE on the compliance with intended results and support the justification of deviations

• Support the planning of each stage to assure the project is implemented within the expected quality

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.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education - A postgraduate (Advanced) university degree (master or equivalent) in coastal engineering or related field is required - A first university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degrees.

Professional Licence - Professional licence and or registration with a recognised professional body or institution is an asset

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years' of relevant professional, practical engineering experience in relevant field, in combination with advanced degree is required.
• At least five (5) years of specific experience in the investigation, planning, design and construction monitoring of coastal engineering and protection measures or related field is required.

The following experience is desirable:

• Working in remote Pacific Island environments, especially cyclone exposed coastlines;
• Coastal process assessments;
• Coastal vulnerability assessments;
• Climate change adaptation planning;
• Implementation of nature based solutions;
• Development of hydrodynamic models;
• Working with government departments and community stakeholders;
• Labour based construction.

Language

• Fluency in English required.

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: International Individual Contractual Agreement (IICA)
2. Contract level: ICS 11/ IICA-3
3. Contract duration: 1 year (retainer) with possibility of extension 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

****Disclaimer: In duty stations where the NPO category has been established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), a Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) will be issued for a home-based contract

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.