Associate Construction Management Engineer, Multiple positions

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the 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 organizations.  With over 8,000 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 Information – Project

The upgrade of Zanzibar educational infrastructure is part of Korea International Cooperation Agency
(KOICA) support to the Development Vision 2025 of the Government of Tanzania. As part of the development of a project to enhance the quality of secondary school education in Zanzibar, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) engaged the United Nations Office for Project Services’ (UNOPS), to carry out a scoping mission during November 2019 to review 30 sites (10 teacher training centres and 20 secondary schools) in Unguja and Pemba, with a view to upgrading or building new laboratories, libraries, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities at these sites. Following this coping assessment and submission of the report, KOICA and the Ministry of Education in Zanzibar decided against refurbishments and to prioritize a total of eleven (11) secondary school sites for new construction of lab facilities. In March 2020, UNOPS undertook a follow up assessment mission to review the suitability of these 11 sites to house new laboratories and WASH facilities only.

All the sites for the proposed construction works have been identified except for Wamba Secondary School in which the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of Zanzibar needs to confirm the definitive location. Geotechnical studies and Topographical surveys will need to be undertaken at each site. Given the general instability of the water supply for all the schools, UNOPS recommends the installation of water storage tanks for all new construction sites to improve the reliability of supply and increase resilience. This includes the option of rainwater harvesting.

The Associate Construction Management Engineers will manage the contractor linking technical supervision of the works, quality, and timing with contract management to ensure correct and transparent payment processes linked to the fulfillment of their obligations. 

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the incumbent will be  responsible for the day-to-day monitoring/management of on-site construction as listed below:  

• S/he will support in the planning and coordinating work activities with the Project Manager.

• Contribute to take timely action to prevent potential delays and/or cost overruns that can be avoided.

• Provide guidance for on-time project delivery.

• Monitoring contractor presence on the project site, including Bill of Quantities (BoQ) as per approved contract.

• As tasked by the Project Manager, supervise construction works and administer works execution as per the contractual provisions and the design specifications.

• Verify that works are consistent with the project technical specifications and inform promptly of eventual deviations.

• Contribute to regular supervision of the project work progress and quality for on time delivery.

• Prepare project process reports.

• Provides support and guidance to the contractor and assists in resolving site problems, as necessary.

• Assesses the work activities of contractor/s, measures completed work and makes recommendations to the Project Manager for progress and interim payments to contractors.

• Oversee quality control and health and safety matters on site & ensure that behavioural expectations are met and are in compliance with COVID-19 pandemic guidelines 

• Minimum of six years of relevant working experience in civil engineering and construction is required. Bachelors degree may substitute for some years of experience.

• Fluency in written and oral English and Swahili Language is required.  

• Knowledge of another official UN 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.
• 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.

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.

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 KMCO 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 primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.