Site Engineer, Multiple positions

Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO):

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the Kenya Multi Country Office (KEMCO) manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMCO sub-region currently consists of a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies, UN-Habitat and UNEP, and a portfolio of  infrastructure and development projects in Mozambique, Somalia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania and several island states.

Project Background:

The Zantchito Skills for Jobs Programme supports the strengthening and practical implementation of Malawi’s Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET) policy towards economic improvement through human capital development. The Malawi Ministry of Labour (MoL) has set an overall vision for a modern TEVET system led by the government but working closely with productive sectors and industries and responding directly to the changing competence needs and qualification requirements in the labour market. Utilizing existing colleges, up to four Colleges of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) will be identified and supported to act as lead colleges for skills development in accordance with labour market needs. 

UNOPS’ role in this programme include the rehabilitation of existing buildings and construction of new buildings for the four TVET Centers as appropriate, the procurement of quality workshop equipment (including installation) and the development of a maintenance programme. These activities are funded by the European Commission (EC). 

1.  Supervision of Construction Works:

• Provide expert opinion/advice to the Lead Engineer on all engineering related issues for assigned works. 

• Responsible for the day to day coordination of activities with contractors according to the needs and requirements on site.

• Inspect and report on contractors work in progress ensuring that the contractor meets the high quality standards expected by UNOPS.

• Daily inspection of the site in order to monitor progress of works, identify existing problems, provide appropriate solutions through application of sound engineering standards in consultation with the Lead Engineer.

• Provide support and guidance to the contractor and assist in resolving site problems as necessary.

• Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and updating of the project plans and strategies in order to ensure delivery according to the scope budget and time.

• Provide regular reports to the Project Manager and Lead Engineer and provide inputs for the periodic and final reports to inform donors and the key stakeholders on the project progress.

• Supervise contractors and contract execution in order to ensure delivery according to the scope, budget, time and in compliance with the technical documentation specified by UNOPS.

• Ensure that documentation on site is maintained according to the recommended documentation for planning and construction (daily logs, quantity books, approvals, act of appointments, tests, attest documentation and photo documentation).

• Participate in the preparation and monitoring of project progress and other reports (including risk logs, issues log and lessons learned) as per UNOPS standard procedures.

2. Quality Assurance:

• Verify and contribute to technical specifications of products, apparatus, services and associated quality material.

• Liaise with Lead Engineer in ensuring that the contractor provides method statements for works prior to commencement and performs the quality check of the presented document and work to be carried out.

• Conduct quality assurance procedures to ensure that the requirements of the contract quality plan are being complied with.

• Conduct site and material inspections, oversee site tests and prepare reports to support the Lead Engineer.

• Monitor all project activities in relation to the respective project work package plans and take corrective action, when necessary, to ensure the timely and cost effective delivery of project outputs.

• Maintain and contribute to the project communication system to facilitate the dissemination of information and reports to all key stakeholders.

• Assist the contractor, on UNOPS HSSE Guidelines, so as to implement adequate health and safety training for their personnel.

3. Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to the project evaluation process, highlighting challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.

• Assist in providing training and knowledge transfer to the Project Team members, contractor personnel, including advice on sound construction and engineering practices, and appropriate HSSE requirements during construction.

• Assist in the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

• Participate in documenting feedback and reporting on lessons learnt, with an aim towards continuous improvement of working practices.

Impact of Results

Assist in ensuring high quality of the construction, observing all local, international and UNOPS standards applicable and all relevant health and safety procedures.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Construction Management or related built environment field is required.

• A Master’s degree in Civil Engineering or related built environment field is desired. 

• Minimum 2 years experience in supervision of buildings construction for medium to large scale construction is mandatory.

• Minimum 2 years experience in construction activities incorporating vertical structures is desirable.

• Experience in contract management is an asset. 

• Experience working in Africa and Indian Ocean Islands is an asset.

• Registration with the relevant professional body is required.

Language: 

• Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Contract type: Individual Contractor Agreement (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.

• This position is designed for multiple locations within Malawi (Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Salima) which are family duty stations. 

  
  

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. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. 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.