Background
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UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.
Office/Unit/Project Description
The Boko Haram insurgency in northeast Nigeria has had a considerable negative impact on the lives and general well-being of the local population. According to empirical evidence, thousands have died in the violence, and almost 2.5 million people have been internally displaced. Although the present conflict dynamics point to a decline in the level of violence and conflict in the area and an ascendancy for the Nigerian military, ensuring the safety and security of the local population remains a serious challenge. The prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence and other gross human rights violations recorded from the region show that the people of the northeast are still highly vulnerable to multifaceted risk factors.
In response to the conflict, UNDP established the Regional Stabilization Facility (RSF) in the Lake Chad region in 2019 ‘as a financing mechanism to provide immediate stabilization to communities affected by the Boko Haram conflict in the Lake Chad Basin. ’[1] The RSF is implemented to bring about the immediate stabilization of communities in the region impacted by the Boko Haram conflict.[2] More specifically, the Nigeria Window of the RSF aims to achieve three outputs: 1) Community Safety and Security Improved; 2) Essential infrastructure and basic services functioning; and 3) Livelihood opportunities available for all households. The target communities include Banki, Damboa, Monguno (in Borno State), Gulak in Adamawa and Buni Yadi in Yobe State.
Under Output 2, the provision of basic services through the construction/rehabilitation of community infrastructure is one of the programme focuses of the integrated public and community projects, such as school and health facilities, water wells/systems, housing units, and shops/markets, among others. It is considered vital that the NE Sub-Office has a highly qualified technical team for implementing engineering work with sound quality and international standards, ensuring successful implementation of construction or rehabilitation of community infrastructures in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states in North-East Nigeria. To this end, UNDP is seeking to fill two positions of civil engineers for the RSF projects in NE.
Scope of work
Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer in close collaboration with the Project teams in NE Sub-Office, the Civil Engineer will perform the following tasks, in close collaboration with the quantity surveyors and respective project teams:
- Provide technical infrastructure needs assessment in the JAP locations and targeted areas. This includes prepare designs and drawings , presentations ,cost estimates and provide assessment report .
- Prepare and manage the preparation of the technical documents of the planned projects including Scope of Work, drawings, specifications and work closely with the quantity surveyors to prepare the Bill of Quantities and cost estimates.
- Provide technical support for smooth procurement and project implementation process of basic infrastructure projects, including support to ensure quality and technical soundness of the BOQ and specifications of infrastructure projects.
- Manage the civil works contracts and supervise the contract implementation to ensure the quality of civil works and technical supervision at the project sites.
Specific Functions/Results expected:
The Civil Engineer shall be responsible for the following detailed tasks and activities towards achieving key functions
1. Provide technical infrastructure needs assessment in the UNDP Civil works locations and targeted areas. This includes preparing drawings, presentations, cost estimates and assessment reports.:
- Conduct the site visits to assess infrastructure facility needs and design the facility with a build-back better approaches;
- Support the assessment of the project activities of the targeted sites in BAY states;
- Provide technical inputs to strengthen alignment and complementarity of UNDP’s support with government policies and plans;
- Provide cost estimate of the civil works intervention for budget planning.
2. Prepare and manage the preparation of the technical documents of the planned projects including Scope of Work, drawings, and specifications and work closely with the quantity surveyors to prepare the Bill of Quantities and cost estimates:
- Prepare high-quality Scope of Work (SoW) including the description of the project, location, requirements, timelines and duration, milestone payments, health and safety requirements, staff requirements and qualifications, the experience of the contractors, etc;
- Prepare high-quality engineering designs and drawings for the proposed infrastructures;
- Prepare the specification of all elements of the project;
- Certify designs of the facilities that are submitted by the respective authorities for civil works in BAY states;
- Work with the quantity surveyor to prepare the Bill of Quantities;
- Certify the Bills of Quantities (BoQs) prepared and submitted by the respective authorities and departments of national counterparts;
- Verify the BoQs before initiating the procurement process.
3. Provide technical and civil engineering advice and support for smooth procurement and project implementation process of basic infrastructure projects, including support to ensure the quality and technical soundness of the BOQ and specifications of infrastructure projects:
- Submit all technical documents to the procurement unit for processing;
- Work closely with the procurement unit and support in advertising the civil works procurement cases;
- Support technical evaluation process and provide advice on any procurement-related issues;
- Support pre-bid meetings and bidder clarifications;
- Support the project teams in the NE Sub-Office in verifying the Variation Orders (VO) (if required);
- Verify the progress of civil work payment requests submitted by the contractors before proceeding with disbursements of payments;
- Assist UNDP as an expert witness in litigation arising from the development or construction of the project and in bearings before various approving and regulatory agencies.
4. Manage the civil works contracts and supervise the contract implementation to ensure the quality of civil works and technical supervision at the project sites:
- Support the implementation of construction/rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities, where required, and advise on project contracting requirements;
- Provide civil works project management through planning, execution, monitoring and evaluation and closing out the projects;
- Monitor day-to-day progress of infrastructure project activities and follow up and oversee the rehabilitation of civil, electrical, and mechanical works at site preparation and execution of the Works against the provided approved sketch and bill of quantities within the set time frame;
- Develop and design interventions based on accurate information and risk analysis on the ground and utilizing lessons learned from the activities in consultation and coordination with respective supervisors;
- Conduct construction inspection including inspection of materials, and equipment to be installed meeting the UNDP Contract specifications and standards;
- Manage communication and reporting between the civil works contractor and UNDP;
- Ensure that the Contractor maintains safety on the site and clean the site after completing rehabilitation work;
- Check and verify the milestone payments as per the progress of the work;
- Prepare variation orders if required;
- Ensuring proper close-out of projects (site cleaning, payment of wages etc) by contractors before demobilization;
- Carry out other tasks assigned by the UNDP Senior Civil Engineer when required.
5. Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing and advocacy relevant to the assigned thematic area(s)
- Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
- Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues;
- Promote advocacy on development trends and opportunities to collaborate in coordination with the project partners, stakeholders, and UNDP communications staff.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Civil Engineer will be under the guidance and direct supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer in close collaboration with the Project teams in NE Sub-Office.
Competencies
CORE
Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination
Cross-Functional & Technical competencies
Business Development
- Knowledge Facilitation
- Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.
Business Management:
- Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
- Partnership Management
- Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
- Communication
- Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience;
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
- Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
Business Direction & Strategy:
- System Thinking
- Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
Procurement:
Required Skills and Experience
Minimum Academic Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Management and or closely related fields; or
- A first university degree (bachelor’s degree) in Civil Engineering or a related field with a combination of additional two years of qualifying relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of master’s degree;
- COREN Registered before 2021 is desired.
Minimum years of relevant experience:
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience managing Civil Works construction and renovation of massive housing projects, water boreholes, deep aquifers, and solar power projects.
Required skills and competencies:
- Experience in using Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, and engineering software like AutoCAD software;
- Experience in Project Management is required;
- Experience in UNDP Civil Works Procurement is required.
Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the competencies section:
- Experience in using the QUANTUM System is desired;
- Experience in handling tender documents for turnkey contracts, including preparation of technical inputs/specifications /Cost estimates for the procurement of services using the conditions of international lending/funding agencies;
- Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and liaison with authorities;
- Previous working experience with UNDP and other UN agencies is strongly preferred;
- Experience in working in NE Nigeria at the BAY States;
- Experience working in a challenging security environment is an advantage;
- Proven ability to plan and prioritize work activities to meet organizational goals and organize and oversee work processes efficiently to achieve quality results;
- Proven knowledge of strategic planning processes, and programming.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required;
- Knowledge of Hausa local language is an asset.
Disclaimer
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
Non-discrimination
UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
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