Senior Measurement, Cost and Contracts Engineer, HQA

Contract

This is a RLG-18 contract. This kind of contract is known as Relocation Grant. More about RLG-18 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting Senior Measurement, Cost and Contracts Engineer is responsible to the Chief, Construction Management Division (CCMD). He/she advises the CCMD on the construction management policy, standards and criteria Agency wide and is responsible for initiating major activities in new areas. The work involves developing solutions to significant problems that impact life and cost to the Agency as well as image and relationships with donors, governments, and refugees, which requires considerable knowledge and in-depth treatment of encountered problems. The incumbent represents the organization to develop solutions on the basis of broad guidelines received from supervisor and may commit the organization on issues of limited significance. He/she represents the Agency with external counterparts at working level.

Responsibilities- Is responsible for preparing bills of quantities, non-standard specifications, particular conditions and other tender documentation utilizing specialized software in accordance with the Agency's needs, policies and standards and local and international codes of practice; reviews the architectural, structural, mechanical and electrical drawings produced at HQ (A) and prepares a list of required items with a description and quantity of each; reviews and identifies discrepancies and coordinates with design team to solve irregularities.

- Reviews and develops Infrastructure and Camp Improvement Instructions and Procedures as related to general specifications and tender/documentation, including forms of contract, revises and updates, as necessary, the Agency’s methods of measurement for construction and maintenance works.

- Establishes and supervises the maintenance of Agency-wide cost database for design, construction and maintenance works and monitors such costs accordingly.

- Advises on the development of Agency-wide specifications of materials, contract forms and tender documents and provides assistance and support to the Fields in his/her area of expertise as well as in relation to claims analysis and response.

- Briefs consultants on quantity surveying issues and checks their final product to ensure adherence to established Agency standards, procedures and practices; serves as a project manager or a project team member as assigned by the Department, this will include managing time schedules, quality of plans, cost control, risk and communication management and revision of consultants' submittals, as applicable.

- Carries out monitoring of ongoing construction projects; checks construction works in the areas of measurement, cost and contractual issues; provides technical support to the Fields and carries out random technical audits of final accounts and Agency supplied materials for construction and maintenance projects; provides technical support in quantity surveying Agency-wide; checks relevant work of the Agency design both at HQ/Amman and in the Fields to ensure adherence to the Agency’s standards, procedures and practices; reviews bills of quantities and tender documents received from the Fields;

- Maintains communication with and coordinates with Field engineering staff responsible for cost planning and estimation, specifications, tendering and contract administrations; evaluates and recommends to the CCMD the current and used costing, specifications and all quantity surveying practices through desk reviews and field visits.

- Leads preparation and finalization of tender documents for designs preparation at HQ (Amman); coordinates with Consultants of Architects, Structural Engineers and Electro Mechanical Engineers in this respect;

- Advises the Advisory Committee for Procurement (ACP) on technical issues of tender documents and contract proposals submitted for approval; analyses and prepares reports on data related to engineering part of awarded contracts for the Fields and HQ (A).

- Assesses training requirements of engineering staff Agency-wide involved in measurement and cost related work as required; conducts training in his/her area of expertise; participates in value engineering studies at HQ (A) and Fields levels.

Competencies Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results. Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.

Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately. Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Judgement/decision making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) from an accredited educational institution in Quantity Surveying, Civil Engineering or Architecture.

Work Experience At least eight years of progressively responsible and relevant professional experience in quantity surveying.

At least three years of relevant experience at supervisory and senior level.

Experience in conducting training courses

Experience in similar low cost construction (desirable).

Languages Excellent command of spoken and written English and Arabic.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice Type of Contract: Fixed Term Appointment

Duration of Contract: 3 years including 1 year probation period, with the possibility of further extension, subject to the availability of funds, satisfactory performance and continuing need.

This vacancy notice is open to internal and external candidates. Only candidates residing in Jordan with authorization to work in the duty station at the time of application are eligible to apply. The Agency will not assume responsibility or accountability to support or facilitate the issuance of work permit in Jordan, and without a valid work permit, the appointment may be rescinded.

A roster may be created from the selection exercise, and successful candidates may become eligible for appointment to the same post or a similar post.

Applicants have to complete the Personal History Profile (PHP) in inspira in order to be considered. The PHP should be completed with full relevant work experience as per the requirements in the Job Opening, in order to be considered.

Competencies: - Advanced knowledge of construction methods in the Near East; - Excellent technical English writing skills; - Demonstrated ability to work independently on multiple tasks, establish priorities and meet multiple deadlines; - Computer literacy and information technology skills such as Microsoft Project, MS-Office applications and Quantity Surveying specialised software; - Knowledge of appropriate specialized engineering related computer applications; - Ability to work under pressure.

Equivalency: A first-level university degree in combination with three additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

UNRWA is funded almost entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states, regional bodies, business foundations and individual contributions. The mission of UNRWA is to help Palestine refugees achieve their full potential in human development under the difficult circumstances in which they live.

For more details on UNRWA, please visit: https://www.unrwa.org/

United Nations Considerations Staff members are subject to the authority of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA and to assignment by him or her.

UNRWA is committed to achieving gender parity at all levels of staffing under the current UN-wide gender agenda and strongly encourages applications from qualified applicants from under-represented groups.

At UNRWA, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. UNRWA is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

UNRWA Considerations UNRWA staff are expected to uphold the highest standards of efficiency, competence, neutrality, impartiality and integrity. This includes respect for and commitment to human rights, diversity and non-violent means of dealing with all kinds of conflict. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for UNRWA jobs. Candidates will not be considered for employment with UNRWA if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. The Agency may disqualify applicants who have separated for reason of misconduct, who left a UN Agency while misconduct processes were pending, or who appear on the UN Sanctions List. UNRWA is a non-smoking work environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.