Lead Construction Management Engineer , Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

Local Context: With presence and experience in Ukraine since 2016, UNOPS has provided, on behalf of the Government and people of Ukraine, project management and procurement services to support the national reform and sustainable development agenda, take environmental and climate action, strengthen the rule of law, improve energy and healthcare solutions, as well as address economic and governance institutional weaknesses.

The invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has led to a severe and highly complex humanitarian emergency with a global impact not witnessed in Europe for over 70 years. The international response to the Ukraine crisis has been significant, with exceptional support being provided by many donor countries and organizations. UNOPS, with its ability to add considerable value in its core mandated areas of infrastructure, procurement, and project management services, is part of the response to the ongoing emergency and is augmenting its capacity to be able to provide robust and timely support over the long term, through the recovery and eventual reconstruction phases. Recognising the enormity and complexity of the challenges ahead, UNOPS is establishing a dedicated Ukraine Country Office (based in Kyiv), from where UNOPS’ operations will, with the support of the UNOPS ECR Regional Office (based in Geneva) and UNOPS’ HQ (Copenhagen), be planned, resourced, implemented, managed and controlled in the months and years ahead. 

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Senior Project Managers, reporting to the Head of Programme, the incumbent performs and may supervise personnel in delivering technical and administrative support services, covering specialized and non-specialized processes and transactions for discrete work areas in construction management, ensuring efficient, client oriented and effective service delivery. The Lead Construction Management Engineer promotes a quality and results-oriented approach, ensuring utilization of office resources in a most cost-effective manner.

1. Construction Management

2. Contract Management

3. Team Management

4. Reporting

5. Knowledge Building and Knowledge Sharing

1. Construction Management

• Works closely with the Sr. Project Managers and supports monitoring UNOPS implementation plans including Quality, Health & Safety and Environment. 

• Provide technical leadership, oversight, advice and guidance on all infrastructure activities and work undertaken through the project. 

• Implement latest project management principles in order that assigned projects are successfully delivered on time. 

• Close monitoring and supervision of all the sub-engineers and their assigned projects to be undertaken ensuring engineering accuracy of construction activities

• Advise on good environmental practices and controls during construction and mitigate environmental impacts of the works.

• Participates in field assessments as needed and when required; mission reports, technical recommendations, guidance and construction for cost effective works.

• Where required, assist the Contractor to manage, plan and coordinate monthly, weekly and daily construction activities including monitoring site safety and construction quality.

• Participate in construction approval and inspection activities.

• Identify and solve construction issues in a timely fashion, keeping project manager and engineering staff informed

• Liaise with, and provide support to construction sites within the country, as required.

• Promote a collaborative, client focused, quality and results-oriented approach in the Project Team.

• Assist in generating regular project reports in accordance to the contractual agreements; maintain updates and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures.

• Attends coordination meetings, when required.

2. Contract Management

• Reviews and is familiar with all ongoing Construction Contracts related to the implementation of Infrastructure Works under the project.

• Monitors progress of Works against the Programme (schedule) and proactively identifies risks and slippages in the schedule.

• Acts as Employers Representatives Assistant to issue Notices, Instructions and perform general contract management according to the Conditions of Contract.

3. Team Management

• Facilitate the engagement and provision of high-quality results and services of the team supervised through effective work planning, performance management, coaching, and promotion of learning and development.

• Provide oversight, ensuring compliance by team members with existing policies and best practices.

4. Reporting

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of progress and conditions on site through daily site record.

• Prepare and submit to the Sr. Project Managers a monthly (or as requested) report within 5 days of month-end, summarizing progress of contractor activities, quality control issues, resourcing and scheduling issues, and any other pertinent facts as required.

• Produce any appropriate documentation identified by the Sr. Project Managers in a professional and accurate manner.

5. Knowledge building and Knowledge Sharing

• Organize, facilitate and/or deliver training and learning initiatives for personnel on design related topics if and when required.

• Provide sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice by synthesizing lessons learnt and dissemination of best practices in design of building infrastructure.

• Collect feedback, ideas, and internal knowledge about processes and best practices and utilize productively.

IMPACT ON RESULT

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Lead Construction Management Engineer directly affects the overall efficiency of the individual team’s provision of construction activities, impacting the team’s capacity to efficiently and effectively service the operational needs of the project. Timely and accountable delivery of services, ensures client satisfaction and promotes the image and credibility of the project team and office as an effective service provider in project services and management. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

This is a local position, therefore only candidates with Ukrainian nationality or valid resident permit are eligible to apply.

Contract type: Local ICA

• 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.