Construction Management Engineer

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. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. 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. 

Project Information

The development objective of the NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE RURAL RESILIENCE PROJECT (MozNorte) is to improve access to livelihood opportunities for vulnerable communities and management of natural resources in selected rural areas of Northern Mozambique. The project aims to improve the resilience of vulnerable communities in selected landscapes of Northern Mozambique. More specifically, the project will address the following drivers:

• exclusion of local communities and IDP (particularly women and youth) from access to sources of livelihoods depending on renewable natural resources; 

• environmental degradation, climate variability and limited capacity of formal institutions to manage natural resources in a sustainable and inclusive manner; and 

• exclusion of local communities and IDP from managing and deciding over use of natural resources.

Given the high vulnerability of Northern Mozambique to climate and geophysical hazards, as highlighted in the Climate and Disaster Risk Screening Report carried out for the project, the design takes an overall climate-sensitive approach to help mitigate risks and enhance adaptive capacity of project beneficiaries. This will translate into promoting climate-smart solutions across all activities and sectors of intervention, from infrastructure to agriculture, fishery, forestry and community-driven activities. The project has four components: 

1. Improving access to livelihoods and community infrastructure; 

2. Improved management of natural resources; 

3. Multi-stakeholder Coordination and Project Management; and 

4. Contingency emergency response (CERC).

MozNorte Project provides bridge financing to stabilise rural livelihoods and to improve the management of natural resources on which most rural livelihoods depend on in 18 districts of three provinces (Cabo Delgado, Nampula, Niassa). The target districts of the intervention include: 

• In Niassa the districts of Lago, Chimbonila, Mecula, Sanga, Maua, Muembe; 

• In the province of Cabo Delgado the districts of Montepuez, Mecufi, Metuge, Ancuabe; 

• In the province of Nampula the districts of Memba, Erati, Mecuburi, Ribaue, Moma, Larde, Angoche and Mossuril.

One of the key approaches of the MozNorte project is the Community-Driven Development Fund (CDDF), which aims to generate sustainable livelihoods, promote inclusive and participatory development and strengthen social integration. The CDDF has two windows: the district window and the community window. The target groups are communities. While district authorities implement the district window, the community window will be implemented by community and/or local organizations/consortia/Lead Service Providers.

UNOPS will support FNDS in managing the community window that will support 300 communities across the target 18 districts with a budget allocation of a minimum of one project per community up to USD 120,000, with an average budget allocation per community of USD 90,000 (equaling a total allocation of US$ 27 Million in community grants); variations in allocations and number of projects can be made depending on the needs and the readiness of the community. 

Examples of activities that can be funded under the Community window include, but are not limited to: 

• Climate-smart agriculture systems, including small irrigation systems 

• Community agro-processing, aquaculture, storage facilities 

• Social and WASH projects at the a community level 

• Community agroforestry and restoration projects  

• Non-timber forest products value chains 

• Alternative livelihood strategies 

• Sustainable use of energy 

• Sustainable fisheries and fishery value chain  

• Community tourism and culture value chains 

• Integrated agriculture and forestry management

• Initiatives of youth and women economic empowerment  

• Social cohesion activities 

The projects will focus on livelihoods but also include small community infrastructure. The infrastructure components under community grants must follow UNOPS design and quality management guidelines. 

The projects in each community will be selected and implemented in a participatory manner, applying the Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) methodology.

The Construction Management Engineer will support the implementation of the community infrastructure components of CDDF grants in the provinces of Cabo Delgado, Nampula and Niassa under the supervision of Senior Project Manager. 

The CME will supervise a team of engineers (civil engineer and WASH engineer) and provide direct supervision to Implementing Partners and Contractors.

Under the Senior Project Manager's overall guidance and direct supervision, the Construction Management Engineer (CME) will provide specialized technical, construction & contract management support to the UNOPS CDDF Team and the Implementing Partners. The CME will be responsible for the planning, coordination and management of construction activities and the timely delivery of the construction works and associated outputs in accordance with agreed timeframes, standards, and budget. The construction activities will be implemented through Implementing Partners and Contractors. CME's role will be to ensure they follow minimum requirements defined by UNOPS and provide capacity building to the Implementing Partners (IPs) and Contractors. 

The CME will support the IPs and Contractors in planning their activities/work plans, conduct periodic progress review meetings, assess progress against work plans, ensure that IPs and contractors adhere to their agreed contractual obligations and UNOPS requirements, ensure that contractual parties meet deadlines, and ensure the application of QMP, HSS plans, and EMP as per the UNOPS guidelines.  

The CME will work closely with the Senior Project Manager, CDDF Team, FNDS Team and Local Authorities and will ensure that issues, risks, changes to scope, design are recorded and communicated with the Senior Project Manager.

• Provide technical leadership, oversight, advice and guidance on managing all construction works undertaken through the project.

• Provide technical leadership, oversight, advice and guidance on contract management related to the construction works undertaken through the project.

• Assist the Senior Project Manager in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and managing construction activities in accordance with the UNOPS infrastructure implementation plan and the construction work schedule.

• Spearheading the process of creating and consolidating work plans, progress tracking tools and construction contracts; monitor and manage contracts.

• Where required, assist the team members, IPs, and contractors in planning and coordinating monthly, weekly, and daily construction activities, including monitoring site safety and construction quality.

• Undertake periodical review of construction progress and contracts, attend to contract breaches, and interpret and communicate contract terms. 

• Identify issues and risks affecting project implementation, the delivery of outputs, and those related to contracts, and keep the Senior Project Manager informed.

• Coordinate with Team Members and IPs for regular meetings to assess issues and risk related to contracts and support the IPs during pre-commissioning and commissioning activities.

• Ensure that contractors comply with the applicable Code of Conduct through the construction period.

• Ensure that all parties adhere to agreed communication protocols between contractors/IPs and UNOPS. 

• Where required, conduct periodic site visits and local inspections during the construction period to witness the progress and quality of construction works physically. 

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

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

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

• Review and periodically update the quality management plan and associated documents.

• Support in the preparation of monthly reports and quarterly assurance reports.

• Ensure that IPs  enforce fair labour practices/laws by contractors/suppliers

• Provide leadership, capacity building and support to the IPs and Contractors in terms of UNOPS requirements and quality management practices.

• Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or Building Engineering or related field with 5 years experience in Construction/Contract Management 

• or a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or Construction Management or Building Engineering with 7 years experience in Construction/Contract Management can substitute in lieu of a Master’s Degree.

• At least 5 years relevant professional experience in Construction and/or Contract Management is required.

• Experience working with UN or other Humanitarian/Development agencies is an advantage.

• Knowledge of UNOPS systems and infrastructure and HSSE requirements is highly desired.

• Experience in infrastructure in developing countries is highly desired.

• Proficiency in Google Suite is desired.

• Working knowledge in Project planning software is an asset.

• Full working knowledge of English language is required.

• Full working knowledge of Portuguese language is required.

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)
Contract level: LICA-9
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

• 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 is an EPP ICA Recruitment process
• This is a local position. As such, it is only open to Mozambique Nationals only

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.