Senior Associate Engineer - Construction Management

Background: UNOPS

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.

Background: VIEMCO

The Vienna Multi-Country Office (VIEMCO) was set up in August 2019 as a part of the UNOPS Europe & Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, VIEMCO aims to enable achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on:

• Infrastructure

• Procurement 

• Project Management (full service, back on track)

• HR and Transactional Services

• Grant Management 

• Technical and Advisory Services

Background: Position Specific

UNOPS, through ECR VIEMCO, is partnering with the Government of Albania and European Union, as well as the relevant UN agencies such as the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to facilitate the post-earthquake revitalization and upgrade of economic and tourism infrastructure of a large number of key cultural heritage sites, museums, and cultural hubs. The overall aim of the project will be to assist Albania with economic development and recovery with a focus on tourism development with cultural heritage as its key component. 

On 26 November 2019, Albania was hit by an earthquake by its most deadly earthquake in a century. The earthquake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and caused significant casualties and property damage, resulting in 51 deaths, over 1000 injured, and nearly 14,000 people displaced. To measure and assess the economic damage, a Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was conducted, estimating the total economic losses at nearly EUR 1Billion.  

The PDNA documented the destruction of public and private infrastructure. Of particular concern was the destruction of cultural heritage monuments and property, as 53 cultural heritage properties were significantly damaged by the earthquake. This project seeks to remediate the effect of the earthquake on Albania’s cultural heritage through the rehabilitation of monuments, as well as contribute to Albania’s socio-economic recovery through the construction and upgrade of these sites. It will be important also to support improvements in the  capacity of institutions responsible for the management of these cultural monuments and sites to better accommodate tourism. A final outcome of the project is the effective communication of project results to the wider public and developing and implementing an advocacy platform resulting in better recognition of the important role of culture in the social and economic well being of Albanian citizens.

The incumbent is responsible to support the technical/infrastructure related elements of the project development, planning, design and construction/ rehabilitation management activities, and provides services accordingly to donors, partners and beneficiaries. This will include regular technical meetings with various counterparts, including government officials and UN partners, as well as visits to potential project sites, as well as undertaking virtual and in person assessments to facilitate effective project development, planning and management activities of the sites for revitalization of culture and tourism.

Project & Partner Management Support:

• Assist VIEMCO’s management and supervisor with the relevant technical activities, and assist the project and support personnel with their tasks and activities. Carry out relevant tasks and activities assigned by the supervisor.

• Under the supervision of the VIEMCO HoSS and in coordination with the ECR regional infrastructure advisor and technical experts, support project planning, development and implementation within the portfolio as a focal point for the project(s) in Albania, including but not limited to preparation of agreements and related amendments, information and knowledge management, and provision of implementation support, including inputs for human resources, procurement, and financial activities.

• Acting as UNOPS focal point, and in collaboration with VIEMCO management, help provide policy advice on UNOPS policies and procedures, and assists office/projects to meet their delivery targets; maintaining fiduciary standards and oversight and compliance with the internal control standards.

• Collaborate in the initiation of projects, and processing of engagement requirements under the supervision of the VIEMCO management.

• Work with clients on successful project development and implementation, including execution of plans, cost analysis and modifications, identification of milestones and other performance indicators to ensure success.

• As required, help actively explore new business opportunities to extend the VIEMCO client-base.

• Contribute to business development activities and advise the supervisor accordingly.

• Help with analysis and research of information on donors and funding agencies, and provide support in the preparation of substantive briefs on possible areas of cooperation, identification of opportunities for new projects.

• Collaborate in the process innovations and improvements for UNOPS/VIEMCO service lines to provide tailored solutions for its partners and stakeholders.

• Support management in liaison and negotiation functions with current and potential donors and funding agencies.

• Engage with and keep clients informed on the status of projects and activities, together with the management, and help prepare oral and written reports.

• Liaise with clients, including government agencies, and design and contractor offices, as required. Interact with clients/stakeholders to solicit feedback and gauge client satisfaction.

• Interact with internal stakeholders and VIEMCO personnel to integrate and harmonize approaches.

• In coordination with IPAS and Practice Group provide advisory services on assigned practice area together with supervisor.

• Assist in planning and documentation for future phases of the project(s) as directed by the management, including activities such as: (i) Estimations, (ii) Producing Bills of Quantities/Specifications/Drawings.

• Help maintain project documentation, including: Payment registers, variation registers, site safety inspection registers, site diaries, instructions to contractor registers, drawing registers, visitor registers, sample approval registers, concrete test registers, progress photos, etc.

• Responsible for formal documents, and issue/risk registers, including drawings, bill of quantities, specifications, contractor instructions, engineering standards, etc.

• Provide technical support to project, procurement and finance specialists, where needed. Assist in preparing project and bid documentation.

• Help oversee technical aspects of the project, contracts, and provide guidance to contractors, where required.

• Help ensure that works are planned and carried out in accordance with contracts, specifications, drawings, etc.

• Prepare and/or aggregate donor reports on activities, outputs and outcomes for review by management and/or client. Provide assistance in preparing monthly project reports.

• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes, etc., as required, in English and Albanian, and provide translations, as required.

• Provide support in the planning and implementation of operational strategies with regards to financial, human resources, and procurement.

• Provide support in the design and formulation of new process initiatives including risk management, quality assurance and quality control.

• Collaborate with VIEMCO and HQ on monitoring missions to evaluate progress where required, identify problems and take appropriate and timely decisions to meet client needs under the guidance of the supervisor.

Knowledge Management

• Contribute in the identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt on project management. Help follow up on the relevant audit recommendations to ensure timely reporting.

• Contribution to organization and client capacity-building of high-quality delivery through coaching and mentoring of internal clients and partners.

• Participation in the periodic review and strengthening of standard procedures based on lessons learnt and adaptation of programme/donor requirements. Help establish and executive SOPs, benchmarks, delivery targets, performance standards, etc.

• Collaboration in development of tools and platform for data and content management, ensuring information and knowledge-sharing with clients and partners.

• Contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice both within VIEMCO and UNOPS.

• Demonstrate professional and personal ethics, transparency and openness to encourage respect and similar behavior from colleagues.

• Foster a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensure that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

Education

• Secondary diploma in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or another relevant technical discipline is required.

• A relevant university degree/advanced degree, either master’s level or above/bachelor’s degree / first level in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or another relevant technical discipline is highly desirable. 

• Prince2, IPMA, or PMP-PMI project management certification would be considered an asset. 

Work Experience 

• In case of secondary diploma, minimum 7 years (or more based on academic credentials) of progressive experience in infrastructure management (a combination of design management, procurement, site management, inspections, supervision, and monitoring) is required. Preferably, this should include rehabilitation/reconstruction of public buildings, facilities, and monuments of culture and heritage.

• In case of university or advanced university degree, some years of experience can be discounted.

• Work experience in Albania and/or a good understanding of the country context is required.

• Experience in project development and management of construction projects in a public or private sector organization is desirable.

• Expertise in projects involving renovation/ revitalization of public, heritage buildings, places, and monuments highly desired.

• Experience in working with local governments and Ministries is an asset.

• Familiarity with EU funded projects (and their management and reporting requirements) is highly desirable.

• Past work experience with the UN/UNOPS and/or similar international/multicultural organization will be considered an asset.

Language Skills

• Excellent (written and oral) English and Albanian language skills are required.

• 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.
• 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 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 checks.