Assistant Project Engineer (Civil Engineering), Multiple positions

Organizational Context  

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peace building, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner.

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations.  With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it.  A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale.

Background information - Sierra Leone

UNOPS has been established in Sierra Leone since 2000 and currently has 35 personnel in country, operating out of 3 main locations – in Freetown (with frequent visit to sites and other district) and home based.

During the last 15 years, UNOPS has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of health and security infrastructure, and has procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items and medical equipment.

Current projects include:

• Infrastructure Programme for Isolation Units; Construction of screening and isolation units for government hospitals under the Ebola Emergency Response Project (EERP) (with funding from the World Bank) and medical waste management and WASH (with funding from DFID) in support of the Ministry of Health.
• Procurement of non-health items and services to contribute to the Global Fund Programme in Sierra Leone, for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM)
• Construction of the new Administrative Headquarters of the Transnational Organised Crime Unit (TOCU) in Freetown, Sierra Leone for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

In order to respond to the Ministry of Energy’s challenge of providing off-grid rural electrification solutions in Sierra Leone, UNOPS has been engaged to deliver the Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP) with the objective of increasing accessibility to public services and enhancing economic growth in under-served rural communities.

The present four-year project has been developed with the target outcome to increase rural renewable energy access through private sector involvement, and support institutional development/reforms on regulatory frameworks and business model approaches. The RREP will implement sustainable technical and financial solutions to establish electrification of villages through mini-grids, along with the technical assistance required to support the sustainable development of this off-grid renewable energy initiative.

The RREP is developed around technical solutions designed under three work packages (WP):

Work package 1 and 1+: Installing stand-alone 6kWp solar photovoltaic (sPV) systems in a minimum of 50 communities by July 2017 (with the ambition to scale up to 80 communities subject to availability of funds).  The stand-alone 6kWp solar photovoltaic systems will provide electricity to the Community Health Centres, and subsequently be expanded into small mini-grids in the 50 villages by the end of 2017, to connect all other public institutions and households in the village.  The 50 small mini-grids (< ~36kW) will be operated by private operators with commercial interests or local communities associations, both ensuring long term sustainability by December 2017.

Work package 2: The project will support a range of public-private sector business models for providing rural communities electrification through installation of environmentally and economically sustainable mini-grids (> ~36kW). A minimum of 40 mini-grids will be completed by October 2020, adding up to 5 MW to the country’s power generation capacity

Work package 3: Technical Assistance (TA) and institutional development (capacity building) to both government authorities and private sector, as part of the holistic approach to facilitate mini-grids development and long term sustainable operations.

Under the direct management of the Construction Manager and/or the Technical Team Lead (Supervisors) the Assistant Project Engineer (Civil Engineering) is required to support the implementation of the assessment and construction work at the assigned project sites in Sierra Leone. Provide engineering support and construction supervision to the assigned project works and ensure efficient and effective planning, design and implementation of rural renewable energy project, infrastructure and construction and development activities associated with the overall country action.

The  Assistant Project Engineer (Civil Engineering) is responsible for the day to day support of the operations of the designated infrastructure health facilities.  The  Assistant Project Engineer (Civil Engineering) shall also be required to support the provision of technical input, focusing on achievement of the following result:

• Support the implementation of works at a number of project sites, assigned to UNOPS, and provide committed monitoring for the progress of works according to contract schedules, specifications and project plans.
• Act as the focal support for specific project (s), he/she provides support and guidance to the contractors and assists in resolving site problems, as necessary.
• Responsible for supporting the supervision of construction of quality delivery.
• Attends daily the project site as required in order to monitor progress of works, and identify the existing problems, provide support solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the Supervisor(s).
• Support the preparation of progress reports on construction activities and submission of such on a daily or weekly basis.
• Perform any other duties as may be requested by the Supervisor(s).

4. Technical Specific Support

• Support the Supervisor/s in the supervision of Contractor’s civil related construction activities  
• Support the approval of construction activities and inspection of relevant testing procedures conducted by the Contractor.
• Provide support for the maintenance of QA/QC reports throughout the implementation, including stage testing and verification of activities completion sign offs. 
• Support the preparation and collection of data as input for completing As-built drawings
• Support the review where necessary civil designs and provide recommendation

5. Monitoring and Progress Controls

• Inform and provide constant feedback to UNOPS Supervisor(s) regarding the progress issues and delivery timelines, cost- effectiveness and quality of work completed.
• Act proactively to identify key areas of concerns that relates to quality, health, safety, social and environmental issues at site and where necessary take the necessary resolution supported by relevant available tools and templates
• Preparation of a database for the available materials and suppliers of the construction industry in the local market
• Support the preparation of progress reports on construction activities and submission of such on a weekly basis to the UNOPS Supervisor(s).
• Support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing including appropriate archiving of documents in UNOPS ERP system and documenting of lessons learned
• Perform any other duties as may be requested by the Supervisor(s).

Language requirements
Fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of second UN official language desirable.

Functional competencies:

• Integrity
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Creativity and innovation
• Commitment to continuous learning
• Planning and Organizing
• Result orientation
• Communication skills
• Teamwork skills
• Client Orientation
• Technological

            Key competencies

• Demonstrated drive for continuous improvement and incorporation of lessons learned and best practices into construction process routines
• Demonstration of professional behaviour and personal ethics, transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behaviour from colleagues in the workplace
• Ability to translate and apply good business decision and technical expertise into UNOPS operations and good understanding of UNOPS operations procedure
• Ability to read basic construction drawings   
• Organized, attention to detail, able to prioritize construction activities
• Effective communication skills (oral and written) in English
• Computer Skills including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel
• AutoCAD skills are a plus
• Site management capabilities
• Ability to work under pressure and tight schedule.

• This is a local position, therefore only Nationals of the duty station or applicants who are legally entitled to be employed in the duty station will be considered.
• 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.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• 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 staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

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 check

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.