1734 - Technical and Engineering Specialist

UNDP in Serbia implements projects and programmes within the scope of the Country Program Document 2016-2020 (CPD). The CPD is guided by the National Priorities for International Assistance (2014-2017) and builds on results achieved to date. The focus of the CPD is on: (a) accountable and representative governance institutions serving people; (b) equal participation for women and lives free of violence; (c) inclusive and sustainable growth; and (d) low-carbon and climate-resilient development.

The projects related to strengthening resilience of local communities are the ones usually requiring engineering services of various specializations, including for management and oversight of infrastructure activities and coordination of subsidiary work in the field of electrical, mechanical geological, traffic, and environmental engineers. As a rule, UNDP requires that all candidates for engineering specialization poses a valid license of the Chamber of Engineers.

UNDP is the lead agency of the “Open Communities – Successful Communities” project, in which the consortia of UN agencies including UNDP, World Health Organization, UN Office of Project Services and International Organization of Migration are implementing the set of activities aimed to encourage acceptance and increase understanding of issues that the migrants/refugees are facing. The project will work on building relationships between host communities and migrants/refugees, as well as on the improvement of communal infrastructure and health care system. The assumption is that by fostering the exchange of information between local population and migrants/refugees, trust and understanding will be strengthened.

The second component of the Project, which UNDP implements directly, aims at improving infrastructure and enhancing the quality of services in municipalities impacted by increasing migration flows. A wide range of infrastructural measures will contribute to better conditions of migrants/refugees and will at the same time improve quality of life for local population. Improvement of physical facilities and upgrading of services will have a direct positive impact and will lessen concerns of local communities about the deterioration of infrastructure.

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst, for activities pertaining to the resilient development cluster, and to Project Manager for activities pertaining to Open Communities Successful Communities project, the Technical and Engineering Advisor/ Specialist has the responsibility to design, oversee and quality assure infrastructure related activities. The Technical and Engineering Advisor/Specialist should provide technical expertise assuring that the Project produces the results specified in the Project Document for the infrastructure subcomponent of the Component 2, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Summary of key functions:

1. Quality assurance of infrastructure related activities in the resilient development cluster;
2. Provides expert support and quality assurance to Project Component 2, including responsibility for mobilizing goods and service in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures and financial responsibility.
3. Monitoring progress and risks in infrastructure projects, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed;

Quality assurance of infrastructure – related activities in the resilient development cluster:

• Coordinates the preparation of terms of reference for the design of complex infrastructure initiatives;
• Reviews submitted project designs by beneficiary or the national counterparts;
• Organizes tenders;
• Monitors and reports on designing, technical control and supervision of work;
• Submits regular updates and reports on implemented infrastructure works.

Provides expert support and quality assurance to Project Component 2, including responsibility for mobilizing goods and service in accordance with prescribed rules and procedures and financial responsibility:

• In accordance with the instructions of the Project Manager, supervises consultants, reviews and approves technical designs and BoQs, ensures detailed monitoring and supervision of the construction works on the sites and provides final engineering clearance for payment under the terms of the contracts.;
• Prepares drafts of weekly and monthly workplans of infrastructure activities ensuring timely and good-quality implementation of workplan activities; monitors progress against the approved infrastructure workplan; identifies changes in the external environment and promptly suggests necessary solutions/actions (ex. related to the planning and implementation of activities, need for new activities) with the Project Coordinator and Project Manager;
• Monitors expenditures of financial resources to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Presents periodic updates/reports on project progress to the Project Coordinator and the Project Manager;
• Supports the Project Manager – Open Communities Successful Communities in the implementation of activities connected to the Project Steering Committee;
• In coordination with the Project Manager, establishes and maintains working relations with local institutions, local services in the target areas, that are necessary and support the implementation of project activities.

Monitoring progress and risks in infrastructure projects, ensuring that changes are controlled and problems addressed:

• Prepares a monitoring Plan and implement it with the support of the project team, as determined by the monitoring schedule.
• Analyze new potential risks and define mitigation measures accordingly.

Impact of Results

Planning, implementation, monitoring and coordination of infrastructure activities within the resilient development cluster, as well as in the Component 2 of the Open Communities Successful Communities project, will have a direct impact on the achievement of expected results. In the resilient development cluster, results shall contribute to progress towards the implementation of the Country Programme Document. In the Open Communities Successful Communities project, the achievement of projects results should contribute to increased understanding of issues that the migrants/refugees are facing, especially in the communities that are the most affected by the influx of migrants/refugees. The Project should improve quality, efficiency and accessibility of health-care systems and services in target municipalities to facilitate improved treatment of migrants and other vulnerable groups. It should also improve the infrastructure and enhance the quality of services in respective municipalities. Finally, the Project should facilitate community cohesion, inter-cultural exchange and flow of information.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills
• Demonstrates substantial experience in gender equality. Actively promotes gender equality in all Project activities.

Functional competencies:

• Experience in complex infrastructure projects;
• Experience in partnership building at international, national, regional and local level;
• Good application of Results-Based Management
• Good communication, coordination and facilitation skills
• Consistently ensures timeliness and quality of Project work.
• Establishes lasting relationships and substantive dialogue with clients.
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.

Education:

Master degree in the field of civil engineering or similar.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in managing complex infrastructure project;
• Possession of license issued by the Chamber of Engineers of Serbia will be considered a very strong asset, in particular 310 or 410,
• The following specific experiences will be considered an advantage: experience working in the UN system or other international organizations; experience in implementation of community based projects;
• Experience in implementation of EU funded infrastructure projects would be considered as strong asset.

Language Requirements:

Fluent in Serbian and English.

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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