Roads Maintenance Specialist for Democratic Governance Unit (1 Position) (Duty Station: Manila) (For Filipinos Only)

Efficient, resilient, and well-planned road networks ensure that no one is left behind in the drive for inclusive growth. This is why roads are considered as an important foundation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a prerequisite for bringing communities together. 

At present, only 24.6% of all provincial roads in the Philippines are of acceptable quality. Of the 12,726km of provincial core roads, 57.2% are unpaved and in need of upgrading, while 20.2% are in poor condition and in need of rehabilitation. The situation is similarly dire for the 19,098 km of non-core roads, with 67% needing upgrading and 7% in need of rehabilitation. To address this situation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched the Conditional Matching Grant to Provinces (CMGP) initiative to improve the quality of the local road network across the country, by providing both financial investment for capital outlay, as well as strengthening the governance processes so that provincial governments are themselves able to effectively plan, design, implement and maintain their road networks.

In partnership with DILG, UNDP has launched a project “Paving the Road to SDGs through Good Governance” which aims to provide support to the governance reform and quality assurance components of CMGP through the ‘Road to SDGs’ framework. This framework will anchor the prioritisation, planning, design, implementation, and maintenance of infrastructure projects to the achievement of the SDGs, incorporating the elements of partnership building, climate change and disaster risk reduction, gender mainstreaming, and citizen participation for transparency and accountability.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Project Manager, the Roads Maintenance Specialist will work closely with the technical and project support team to provide the necessary technical expertise for the project implementation of the project “Paving the Road to SDGs through Good Governance.”  The Road Maintenance Management Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day support for the project. He/she is expected to plan, manage and allocate the inputs of the experts and specialists that form part of the team and be responsible for the quality and appropriateness of their inputs.

Summary of Key Functions:

• Ensure monitoring and progress controls are in place
• Ensure knowledge management, learning and documentation as it relates to the project activities
• Ensure project design and construction quality
• Perform other functions as may be determined by the Project Manager

Ensure monitoring and progress controls are in place:

• Support for the DILG in implementing the CMGP
• Support the development of DILG’s maintenance/ asset management system to plan, programme and implement periodic and routine maintenance on road network, taking into account the assets value and contribution to the community.
• Work closely with Engineers, Draftsperson and Quantity Surveyors in the planning of projects, scheduling of tasks and developing an integrated design.
• Review and ensure the documents prepared meets the quality standard requirements.

Ensure knowledge management, learning and documentation as it relates to the project activities:

• Provide training and technology transfer to DILG personnel and contractor’s personnel and advice on good construction practices, good environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during construction;
• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building.

Ensure project design and construction quality

• Ensure project design and construction quality is high observing local and UN standards, and that applicable and relevant health and safety procedures are adhered to.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development
• Builds knowledge in at least one practice area
• Ability to provide quality policy advice services on related issues
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues
• Substantive knowledge of democratic governance processes

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead formulation of strategies and their implementation
• Proven track record in project implementation of a comparable size and/or of a similar nature
• Demonstrated experience in implementing development projects
• Ability to plan and organize work programme and flow
• Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• Excellent communication skills (spoken, written and presentational), including ability to present sensitive issues/positions and to write reports and technical decisions quantitatively justified.
• Ability to work with minimum supervision. 

Management and Leadership

• Demonstrated planning and organizational skills and ability to coordinate the works, work on tight deadlines, and handle multiple concurrent activities;
• High degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities;
• Focuses on impact and results for the client and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation;
• Approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors. 

Education:

• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis on Transportation Engineering or Highway Engineering;
• Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of relevant professional experience in professional experience in road maintenance, transportation, highways or related field may be considered.

Experience:

• 5 years of years of relevant working experience, including successful assignments as a Roads Maintenance Specialist. He/she will have a sound knowledge of public sector institutional development and road reforms;
• Professional experience must include institutional capacity building and road asset management support.

Language Requirements: 

• Excellent written and verbal English language skills.

Important application 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 with be treated in the strictest confidence.

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