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Roads Engineer (Retainer)

Nairobi

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Nairobi
  • Grade: Junior level - LICA-9, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Engineering
    • Infrastructure and Urban-Rural development
    • Documentation and Information Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS plays a critical role in providing management services for our life-saving, peace-building, humanitarian and development operations. "I have seen many examples of how these activities help suffering people in troubled parts of the world.”-Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General.

The United Nations Office for Project Services’ (UNOPS) mission is to expand the capacity of the UN system and its partners to implement peace building, humanitarian and development operations that matter for people in need.

UNOPS mandate is to act as a project delivery platform for UN system agencies, funds and programmes, international and regional financial institutions, intergovernmental organizations, donor and recipient governments, and non-profit non-governmental organizations. As a self-financing entity within the UN system, UNOPS must ensure that the projects it delivers meet client expectations in terms of cost, quality and time, while at the same time ensuring that these projects collectively meet a broader array of success criteria. UNOPS is committed to achieving a truly diverse workforce.

 East Africa Hub (EAH)

UNOPS EAH helps partners achieve their project goals in sectors including: governance, education, health, he environment, grant management and rural development.

UNOPS East Africa Hub (EAH) has over twenty years of experience working in East Africa, including large scale infrastructure projects. With a flexible and responsive presence throughout the region, UNOPS is able to scale up rapidly, through various mechanisms into high risk areas which have proven to be beneficial to partners.

EAH has its own Design Services Unit (DSU) which consists of design production office and engineering project management cell, consisting of Civil, Structural, M&E Engineers, Architects, Design Associates and Quantity Surveyors. The DSU carries out low risk engineering works and building structures. This generally involves concept designs, feasibility studies and low/medium risk designs that include buildings of up to 2 stories in height (as per the UNOPS design planning manual) and civil works that may include using standard designs of structures for rural roads. High risk building and structure designs are outsourced to specialist design firms.

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the overall supervision of the Design Services Unit Manager, Roads Engineer will give his/her technical expertise as required to manage and co-ordinate any designs assigned and related documentation works. The consultant will be requested to work from home and be prepared to travel to any site in or around the countries under EAH as required and comply with UNDSS requirements.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance of Design Services Unit Manager, the Roads Engineer will be required to undertake the following tasks:

  • Assist to carry out engineering design of roads and other structures according to the client’s design requirement and as per applicable international/local standards and codes of practices
  • Assist in Preparing comprehensive design documentation that include design briefs, specifications, design reports, drawings, bill of quantities and any other documents that address specific clients and stakeholder requirements when necessary. 
  • Work closely with the Design Services Unit Manager, other Engineers, Quantity Surveyors and architects in the planning of projects, scheduling of tasks and developing an integrated design.
  • Responsible for timely delivery of the expected outputs for review by Design Unit Manager.
  • Act as the responsible focal point for the specific projects she/he provides support and guidance, and assists in resolving site problems, as necessary.
  • Assist in monitoring delivery of services design documents. Highlight possible none or late delivery prior to the event.
  • Assist in Carrying out site inspections, site supervision, site investigations, technical reviews and assessments to gather field data and design information as required.
  • Assist in the development of specifications, procedures and QA/QC protocols when required.
  • Proactively assist the Design Unit Manager in managing the design projects, ensuring that they meet the high standards expected by UNOPS, while delivering the program within its time and budget constraints.
  • Carry out research and identify appropriate technologies/techniques/designs that can be incorporated in the project design.
  •  Assist in reviewing and certifying design documentation as a third party independent body when required.
  • Maintenance of project documentation
  • Perform any other duties as may be requested by the Design Services Unit Manager.   Monitoring and Progress Controls

           Planning and documentation for future projects including activities such as;

  • Estimations and evaluations.
  • Producing Bill of Quantities / Specifications / Drawings.
  • Surveys.
  • Needs assessments

         Final Product

Project design and construction quality is high, observing all local/international and UN standards  applicable and all relevant health and safety procedures are adhered to.

Education

  • Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university is required
  • Advanced Degree in Roads Engineering from an accredited university is desirable

Experience

  • Minimum 4 years’ experience in Roads Engineering Design and implementation.
  • Candidates with experience working on international/local projects in conflict/disaster prone areas are preferred.
  • Skills in Infrastructure- roads are essential

Languages

  • Full working knowledge of English is essential.

Competencies


Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Contract type, level and duration

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

East Africa Hub
Located in Nairobi, Kenya, the East Africa Hub manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The East Africa sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in South Sudan and a portfolio of engagements managed by the Kenya based East Africa Hub office. This includes primarily transactional projects in partnership with the Nairobi based UN Agencies UN-Habitat and UNEP, and multiple ‘operational’ projects in Somalia, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Kenya and several island states.

This vacancy is now closed.
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