Assistant Quantity Surveyor

The Technical Services Unit(TSU), is a business unit for the East and Southern Africa Multi-Country office and comes under the direction of the Director for East and Southern Africa office (KEMC). 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 Unit is based in Nairobi and personnel may be required to travel extensively to other UNOPS locations.  It currently provides design services, assessments, feasibility studies and advisory services on a wide range of infrastructure works internally to UNOPS project and partnership personnel. The Assistant Quantity Surveyor shall  be responsible for assisting the Quantity Surveying team  to ensure timely, cost effective and quality delivery of the projects. 

• Responsible for taking-off and calculation of quantities from architectural, structural, electrical and mechanical drawings and details

• Assist in the preparation of detailed BOQs and specifications for construction works

• Assist in preparation of  schedule of materials for construction

• Assist in the preparation of preliminary cost estimates

• Assist field assessment and the subsequent processing of data and report writing

• Assist in preparation of valuations for contractors’ payments 

• Assist with the valuation of variations for ongoing construction works

• Assist in collecting and maintaining construction cost data

• Responsible for keeping an updated filing system for TSU construction design documentation

Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Knowledge and capacity to prepare Bills of Quantities to professional and accurate standards

• Prepare appropriate reports as required

• Secondary education is required. 
• A Bachelor's Degree or Technical Qualification in Quantity Surveying will be an asset.

• At least 5 years experience in Quantity Surveying is required;
• Experience working in a busy Quantity Surveying office or a busy construction firm will be an added advantage.
• At least 2 years experience in Construction and Engineering is required.
• At least 2 years experience working in Infrastructure and Project Management is required.

•  Knowledge and capacity to prepare Bills of Quantities in Google Sheets and or Microsoft excel to professional and accurate standards.
• Good team player attitude. 
• Ability to follow instructions precisely and work in a team to support the delivery of successful projects. Ability to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. 
• Familiarity with WinQs, Qs Cad and other relevant Quantity Surveying software. 

• Full working knowledge of English is required. 
• Knowledge of a second UN or regional working language is an asset.

• 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 a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• 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.

Background Information – Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMC)
Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. 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 transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and island states.