UNDP | Project Engineer

Project Engineer - Jerusalem

Application Type : External Vacancy
Job ID/Title :     899 - Project Engineer
Category : Infrastucture and Engineering
Brand : UNDP
Application Deadline :     07-Jul-16
Duty Station :     Jerusalem
Type of Contract : Service Contract   
Languages Required :Arabic, English,
Duration of Initial Contract :     12 months

Expected Duration of Assignment :    
Background:
Given the nature and the complexity of the situation in the occupied Palestinian Territory (oPt), resulting from the occupation, and the inability of the Palestinian Government to exercise authority and control over provision of services to Palestinian communities living in an area “C” of the West Bank , Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip, UNDP/PAPP continues to play a significant role in provision of access to essential public services, and helps the Palestinian Government to directly implement development interventions in these areas, including social and public infrastructure.
Provision of civil works activities is a complicated process, that entails huge efforts of issuing construction permits from the Israeli Authorities or providing alternative mechanisms and innovative solutions to address immediate and urging needs of the community. These realities make the Palestinian Government unable to plan and deliver development interventions in these areas, unless, political and technical support is granted by the International community including the UN.
The Infrastructure component of the Programme focuses primarily on provision of secured and affordable access to essential public and community services in Energy, Housing, Transportation, Education and Health, and strengthening resilience for Palestinian communities living in area “C” of the West Bank, Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip
The technical background of the candidate is significant for the achievement of the intended results that will also focus on new aspects of sustainable development in line with post 2015 SDGs, such as green eco-sustainable construction and economy, deployment of renewable energies, community resilience and innovation. Thus focused technical expertise coupled with a programming capacity is necessary to achieve an impact of the Infrastructure interventions and ensure successful delivery.
The candidate needs to be proficient in oral and written Arabic and English communication skills to be able to interact with our partners.
The Project Engineer will work in close coordination with the Programme team to ensure the successful implementation of the Infrastructure activities.
The Project Engineer will be supervised by the Team Leader of Infrastructure and will report directly to the Team Leader on all project related activities. The service Contract extension will be conditioned to satisfactory performance evaluation as well as availability of funding under the project.

Description of Responsibilities:

The key functions that Project Engineer is expected to perform include:

Project Definition and Initiation Stage:
- Conduct necessary field studies and research to assess community needs. Based on these needs, identify priority interventions in coordination with counterparts, and design and formulate cost-effective and feasible development programs in areas of basic needs and community infrastructure, including, but not limited to, energy and renewable energy, IT infrastructure, eco-sustainable green infrastructure, social development for education and health, and public service delivery.
- Participate in project assessment during formulation of projects to determine the technical viability of proposed projects. Define the engineering scope of works and prepare technical data for projects, including the project work plans for design and construction activities.
- Ensure infrastructure programs are in line with the strategic directions of the UNDP corporate thematic areas of development, PAPP’s strategic framework, and national priorities

Project Running Stage:

- Draft terms of reference for acquiring engineering consulting services.
- Follow up and review designs, technical specifications and tender documents for construction activities prepared by consulting firms; introduce modifications where necessary.
- Where required, undertake preparation of designs and tender documents of small to medium scale projects, including preparation of technical specifications, bills of quantities and relevant cost estimates.
- Review and check the design documents prepared by other entities, such as project counterparts/beneficiaries, and introduce modifications where necessary, including reproduction of the drawings and tender documents.
- Upon request of the Team Leader, provide technical support and advice to the procurement unit in the technical evaluation of bids related to infrastructure projects.
- Perform construction management tasks and technical supervision of infrastructure project activities.
- Provide technical supervision of the project site engineers engaged in the daily supervision of project activities, including coaching and technical backstopping.
- Provide oversight to contractor’s performance in all matters related to workmanship quality, safety, and care of the works.
- Review planning and scheduling of project construction activities, check and approve construction schedules submitted by contractors and introduce modifications where necessary to meet the projects implementation plans in line with programme/project deadlines, as defined in coordination with the Programme Analyst.
- Review and verify interim payment requests submitted by the contractors for completed works, including checking and verifying the accuracy of the measured works
- Verify and approve material and equipment incorporated in the works against original design, as submitted by contractors and suppliers. Perform equipment testing and commissioning.
- Conduct regular site meetings with all technical project personnel, counterpart engineers and technicians, contractors, and suppliers to discuss project matters, resolve pending issues, and review work progress in comparison with construction schedules and project implementation plans. Document and report all relevant outcomes of such meetings.
- Prepare periodic technical progress and financial reports, for the project construction activities, as defined by the projects planning, reporting and monitoring guidelines.
- Draft correspondence and internal memos for issues related to construction works.
- Ensure proper filing system, related to construction activities is maintained both in the office and on site, for all correspondence, minutes of sites meetings, product and material submissions, reproductions of the original contract documents including all addenda, variation orders, site instructions, information and drawings issued subsequent to the start of the contract, as well as clarifications and interpretations of the contract documents, progress reports and other related documents.
- Study and assess all suggestions made by contractors for modifications in drawings or specifications and ensure that any major changes which affect the original scope of works or project budget should be reported to the Team Leader with recommendations.
-  In coordination with procurement, the Project Engineer will evaluate, verify and recommend on Contractors / Consultants claims in variation to contracts, and assist in preparing counter-claim arguments and reports as required.
- In coordination with the programme teams, participate in technical coordination meetings with counterparts and other stakeholders.
- Participate in the preparation of the Engineering unit work plans and the Office programme strategies.

Project Closing Stage:
- Participate in the final inspection and handover committee for the construction works at the project. Certify the satisfactory completion of the construction works and issue a handover note.
- Check the As-Built Drawings for the completed works.
- Evaluate the performance of the technical project personnel, consultants and contractors engaged in the construction works.
- Upon project completion prepare final technical reports in line with Project Document and donor requirements for the construction works as well as PAPP’s project planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation guidelines. The final report should highlight all major points of interest that arose during the implementation of the contract including problems encountered and solutions employed, major changes made during construction to the design and specifications and the reasons thereof.
- Follow-up on the maintenance and operation of the construction works during the defects liability period, and give necessary instructions to contractors to remedy any defects that may emerge during the said period.

Other Duties
Perform any other additional duties as requested by the Team Leader of Infrastructure & Engineering.
 

Impact of Results
Proper management, quality assurance, and supervision of the project activities has an impact on the quality of works and implementation of the project. A client-oriented and efficient approach will reflect on the impact of the project and on the image of the UNDP. The key results have an impact on the success of projects within specific areas of cooperation. In particular, on achieving the successful implementation of the project sub-component to reach all project goals and objectives.
 
Competencies :
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning
- Shares knowledge and experience
- In-depth knowledge of development issues
- Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside UNDP
- Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more practice areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Development and Operational Effectiveness
- Demonstrates excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to extract, interpret, analyze data and resolve problems
- Demonstrates excellent presentation skill
- Uses Information Technology effectively as a tool and resource
- Good writing skills in both Arabic and English
Leadership and Self-Management
- Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
- Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure
Learning Expectations:
- Function and operate in a multicultural setting
- Promote the achievements of UNDP Development work
- Partner and network for better results on development cooperation
Technical Competencies:
- Experience in Civil Engineering building construction; good understanding of engineering technical specifications
- Competency in general conditions of contract for civil works
- Good Command of MS Office applications (Words, Excel, MS Project, etc.) and other engineering software tools (i.e. Autocad or similar).
 
 
Qualifications :
 
Education
- MSc. Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university.
- First level university degree in the above and 2 years of related experience in civil works construction may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience
- Minimum 4 (Four) years practical experience in the supervision and management of construction projects.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in Arabic and English Languages.

Driving License
Valid driving license is an asset

Membership
Valid Membership with  Engineers Association
 
“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”
 
UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
 
Important message to all applicants!

-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application.

-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.

 
 

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