Quality Engineer

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency.  At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need. 

Project Information

The UNFPA country office in Afghanistan owns office premises and guesthouse accommodation located within the UNOCA Compound in Kabul. As a result of significant growth in the country programme and the staff population, both the office premises and guesthouse accommodation have become inadequate.

UNFPA plans to redevelop both Office and Accommodation through construction of a new 2 storey office annex, with basement, along with remodeling and refurbishment of the existing single storey office building and construction of two new 2 storey accommodation blocks, with basement(s), along with remodeling and refurbishment of the existing 2-storey guesthouse block.  

Reporting directly to the Project Manager, the Quality Engineer is expected to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

Summary of Key Functions  

1. Quality assurance and quality control

2. Monitoring and Sites supervision

3. As-built documentation and control

1. Quality assurance and quality control

• Prepare QA/QC plans for new construction and refurbishment work.

• Ensure the establishment of quality procedures including time limits for inspection, sampling and testing of works and other QA/QC requirements.

• Oversee and manage quality assessment of materials through regular and rigid laboratory tests.

• Ensure specific quality standards are constantly met at all levels of construction projects.

• Review all standard test forms to be used during laboratory tests, QA testing schedules and procedures and evaluate results as appropriate.

• Review contractor practices and conventional methodologies and make recommendations where remedial action is required.

• Conduct initial survey queries on sources to materials, ensuring quality and quantity is of economic value to the project.

• Undertake verification of construction workmanship and materials. Responsible for the quality assessment of materials, by witnessing and/or conducting frequent laboratory tests.

• Review and contribute to the Contractor's Quality Health and Safety, Social and Environment plans and ensure its compliance.

• Arrange, organize and document regular site meetings.

• Provide UNOPS with photographic (before, ongoing, after) and reports including lessons learned

• Assist and subsequent oversight of project QA/QC plans and protocols for construction, construction equipment and materials.

• Keep record of all documentation regarding QA/QC.

• Track and Report all non-conformances to the Project Manager.

• Maintain close relationship with UNOPS QA/QC Office.

2. Monitoring and Sites Supervision

• Provide required technical advice and inputs to internal reports.

• Ensure that works performed on site correspond to the design and technical solutions.

• Assist in organizing and participating in substantial acceptance tests, inspections, proceedings, start-up, etc. and handover proceedings.

• Assist in the start-up of project operation in adjusting, balancing, identifying deficiencies and assisting in obtaining corrections, and performing inspections prior to the end of the project defect notification period.

• Implementation and monitoring of quality assessments.

• Monthly QA/QC report to the Project Manager on project QA/QC activities.

3. Knowledge building and knowledge sharing

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice, actively interact with other Engineers and the Engineering community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.

• Collaborate with technical team members including but not limited to architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors.

4. Impact of Results

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Quality Assurance Engineer directly impacts the successful delivery of the ongoing projects on time, budget and quality according to the expectations of all stakeholders. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.   

a. Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or related field from an accredited university with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience is required. 

• A master's degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or related fields is an added advantage.

• Relevant certificates or training related to civil engineering will be an added advantage.

b. Work experience 

• Minimum of 2 years (With a Bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in construction work with emphasis on materials testing, quality control and assurance, laboratory testing and a firm understanding of requirements and specifications of testing and materials. A Master’s degree will be considered in lieu of the required work experience. 

• Knowledge of procurement practices is an advantage.

• Knowledge of UN/UNOPS rules and regulations is highly advantageous.

c. Languages

• Proficiency in English is required.

• Fluency in Pashto and Dari languages is desired.

• 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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.