WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP Engineering provides the infrastructure of food security through the provision of professional engineering services to WFP and the humanitarian community. Engineering provides direct support to WFP projects through the provision of critical logistical and project infrastructure such as roads, warehouses, airstrips and school kitchens; provides indirect support by providing safe and secure facilities such as offices and accommodation and provides technical guidance, support and policy in the field of engineering and project management in humanitarian operations.

This position will be with WFP Engineering and based in Rome Headquarters with extensive travel to the field. Under the general supervision of the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering, and within delegated authority the position involves the management of three individual programmes. These are:

1)    The Energy Efficiency Programme

2)    The Capital Budgeting Facility

3)    The Corporate Response Stocks Programme

This role requires an experienced Project Manager, with technical, financial and project management skills necessary to successfully manage these programmes. The role will consist of the operational management of the programme, while providing in-depth technical inputs to standardized documentation, undertake market research, prepare tender packages for the supply of goods and services necessary for the implementation of these projects.

1)   The Energy Efficiency Programme

WFP operates approximately 1,100 premises in 80 countries worldwide. Due to the nature of WFPs work, many of these premises do not have access to stable electrical grid connections and rely on diesel generators for some, or all of their power.

The Energy Efficiency Programme seeks to address the significant economic and environmental effects of our power consumption by analyzing power usage, identifying where improvements can be made, and assisting country offices to implement those solutions, reduce costs, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

2)   The Capital Budgeting Facility Programme (CBF)

The Capital Budgeting Facility is a revolving fund that provides upfront financing to capital projects that can demonstrate quantifiable economic and efficiency benefits. Proposals for funding are submitted by Country Offices and evaluated by the WFP Senior Management. The project management of the related projects including the process for the submission, evaluation, award of funding to proposals, is administered by WFP Engineering.

3)   The Corporate Response Stocks Programme

The Corporate Response Stocks Programme is a programme which has been ongoing for some years, and has become the overall umbrella term within WFP Engineering, covering the procurement of any technical equipment or services used to support WFP operational and staff facilities in the field, particularly for use during emergencies, such as the setting up of basecamps, but also to support more long term facilities such as guesthouses and offices.

This includes solutions to provide staff and office accommodation (tents/prefabs/pre-engineered buildings), kitchen/dining facilities, water and sanitation solutions, electrical equipment, and equipment for the construction of security infrastructure, etc.

This programme provides technical support to various internal client units who have identified the need for technical equipment. The process involves defining these needs with the client, identifying what products/services will best meet those needs, and formulating a strategy on how these goods and services can best be sourced and delivered. Then preparing procurement packages and contract documents through which these goods and services can be most efficiently procured and contracted.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the general supervision of the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering, or delegated person, duties required of the Project Manager shall include but are not limited to the following:

Responsibilities under EEP

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Programme, as outlined in the Energy Efficiency Strategy Document. Specific responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the execution of energy efficiency surveys in WFP premises globally.
• Reviewing survey results and preparing energy efficiency reports on these premises, for the attention of the relevant Country Directors.
• Identifying inefficiencies and designing ‘energy upgrade’ solutions to reduce energy consumption and achieve cost excellence.
• Designing renewable energy (on grid, off grid or microgrid) solutions (primarily based on solar photovoltaic and micro wind turbines)
• Preparing cost estimates for various solutions and conducting cost-benefit analysis and developing the business case for the solutions which provide the best financial return on investment and positive environmental impact.
• Assisting Country Offices to secure the capital necessary to implement these projects.
• Arranging the procurement of the goods and services required for the selected energy upgrades.
• Implementing of energy upgrades.
• Managing the grants and the associated accounts.
• Regular financial and operational reporting to EEP Board on regular basis.

Responsibilities under the CBF Programme

The Project Manager will have overall responsibility for the management of the CBF Programme, and all the specific responsibilities of WFP Engineering, as defined in detail in the draft Directive “Administration, Accounting and Reporting Procedures for the Field Premises Improvements Facility Special Account (SAFP)”.

Responsibilities under the CRS Programme

This role involves the following duties:

• Coordination with the client unit and the procurement unit, to establish the most important criteria for the desired solution in terms of cost, quality, timeframe for supply, functionality of the equipment, scope of services to be provided, the contractual obligations of all parties involved, and the assignment of risk, performance guarantees etc.
• Research products and suppliers, and develop a procurement plan which will most effectively achieve the desired results.
• The preparation of detailed tender packages for designers/suppliers and contractors.
• Management of technical aspects of the procurement process of all engineering projects through all stages including evaluation and award.
• Preparation of reports, including technical appraisals, contract documentation, reviews on the contractor’s proposals and any other relevant reports as required.
• Provide guidance and oversight to more junior colleagues in all of the duties listed above.

Project Management

In addition to the specific duties listed within each section above, the Project Manager will be responsible for the following duties in any or all of these programmes, as necessary:

• Provide support in the recruitment and management of project team members as directed by the Chief Engineer.
• Supervision of firms involved in the implementation of projects.
• Supervision and technical guidance to the EEP team.
• Establishment and maintenance of project performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting up to project completion.
• Establishment of a comprehensive system for maintaining records including correspondence, survey data, inspection records, test data, site diaries, records of meetings, financial records, progress records etc.
• Preparation and issuance of progress reports to senior management, government donors and country office client units, as applicable.
• Issuance of project completion reports on final completion.
• Monitor closely the progress of all projects on a regular basis to ensure they are proceeding in accordance with the approved work program.  Liaise with clients, suppliers and contractors in the event of programme “slippage”  to arrest the situation.
• Preparation and management of cash flow programmes.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

• University Degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.
• Postgrad certification in project management.

Experience:

• At least 12 years of relevant engineering experience at increasing level of responsibility.
• At least 5 years of experience in designing and overseeing the installation of solar photovoltaic (both off-grid and on-grid) renewable energy systems.
• At least 7 years of relevant international experience within the Humanitarian Community.
• Qualification/experience in project and financial management.
• Experience of working in difficult security environments.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Hold Professional, Chartered or equivalent professional engineering accreditation from an internationally recognised professional supervisory body.
• Proven experience with renewable energy technology (solar and wind)
• Computer literate.
• Microsoft Project (Desirable).
• Microsoft office including (MS Word and Excel).
• AutoCAD.

Languages:

• Fluency in English.
• Working knowledge of French or other UN languages beneficial but not essential.

Terms and Conditions

WFP offers a competitive compensation package which will be determined by the contract type and selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WFP.

http://www.wfp.org Click on: “Our work” and “Countries” to learn more about WFP’s operations.

Deadline for applications: 12 October 2018

Ref.: VA No. 88444

Qualified female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.