Land and Buildings Officer

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

Land and Buildings Officer

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

This position is part of the Land and Buildings Unit within the Supply Management Logistics Service of the Division of Emergency, Security and Supply. SMLS/DESS is based in the UNHCR's Global Service Center in Budapest.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Land & Buildings Officer the incumbent will be responsible to provide timely and sound technical advice to all major projects for acquisition of premises (Land and Buildings), ownership and leasing or under a right of use agreement. The incumbent will conduct engineering assessment (e.g. new constructions, renovations, expansions, demolitions, lease agreements, Memoranda of Understanding for the right of use, purchases, donations, constructions, maintenance and repair) for which she/he should have a solid technical and engineering expertise in order to be able to provide an expert opinion and guidance. In addition, she/he will provide advice on the immediate and long term challenges / solutions for office space and will take active role in identifying opportunities, formulating and implementing projects worldwide. Another major area of work will be the implementation of newly adapted FIDIC (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) contract modalities, giving timely and accurate advice on contract management issues in the construction projects in the field. Finally, the incumbent will maintain a database and registration of administrative buildings, owned or leased.

The incumbent may supervise other staff and will have contact with a wide palette of interlocutors within and outside UNHCR including field offices and HQ entities, commercial service/goods providers, NGO / Governmental partners, etc.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability

- UNHCR operations have access to quality engineering expertise and construction project management support services.
- UNHCR implements construction projects and manage acquisitions of properties in accordance with the rules and regulations.
- - UNHCR adopts and implements adapted FIDIC construction contracts and related bidding templates thus safeguarding its contractual and other interests.

Responsibility

- Support UNHCR operations and provide strategies for premises acquisition or leasing of land and buildings.
- Propose most convenient solutions between purchase and lease of premises, considering full life cycle and existing alternatives.
- Develop and standardize operational procedures, forms and templates in acquisition or leasing of properties.
- Support the preparation of plans, specifications and Terms of Reference for construction projects according to operational needs.
- Ensure that operations obtain all necessary documents to establish ownership of land and buildings and satisfy national and international requirements with regard to the buildings safety and adequacy to the planned use and occupancy.
- Conduct field missions to support the operations in construction and contracting or contract management related matters.
- Provide advice on FIDIC contracts and assist operations in contract documentation preparation and review quality.
- Analyse contract terms, contract deliverables and payment applications, often adding or changing clauses according to the specifications of the operations or countries.
- Identify potential problems and risks during claims procedures and assist by reasonable means in selecting options for resolving them with the aid of the Legal Affairs Service (LAS).
- Advise on issues that may impact the achievement of project outcomes.
- Provide support to the field projects on issues arising during general construction supervision including monitoring compliance with specifications, designs and contract management resolutions/advice.
- Support finding civil engineering solutions to construction projects and provide timely review/opinion on documents to Engineering Service Requests (ESR) from UNHCR operations.
- Provide technical assistance to the Field according to "best practices" and prevailing UNHCR rules and regulations.
- Guide and support maintenance of premises database and other records on civil engineering activities.
- Monitor and analyse relevant data and provide status reports and updates.
- Any other duties relevant to the function.

Authority

- Recommend procurement strategy for construction works and services and assist in preparation of tender documentation utilizing FIDIC templates.
- Review premises acquisition contracts submitted to the approval of the HQ Committee on Contracts, and provide expert opinion.
- Review tenders and assist in the evaluation of proposals for LCC/RCC and HCC.
- In consultations with the supervisor and other technical departments, provide civil engineering advice and support to UNHCR operations implementing construction projects.
- Provide advice and support by reviewing documents for claims, payment of claims and disputes that may arise during contract with the purpose of ensuring their quality and compliance with the requirements of the respective contracts.


ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Civil Engineering or related fields plus minimum 6 years of professional experience in construction management inclusive of contract management, design, site supervision, quality control and review of tender documents in either public or private sector organizations. Graduate degree (equivalent of a Master's) plus 5 years or Doctorate degree (equivalent of a PhD) plus 4 years of previous relevant work experience may also be accepted.
- FIDIC Training Certification in Contract Management and Administration.
- Proven experience in managing complex technical projects (preferably property related) including developing templates for infrastructure and works.
- Knowledge to interpret legal documents, surveys, construction drawings and title deeds.
- Experience in developing policies, administrative instructions and guidance in relation to infrastructure and civil works.
- Proven ability to provide expert guidance and oversight in relation to acquisition, lease and or improvements of administrative premises.
- Advanced computer knowledge of AutoCAD and MS Office applications, including MS Access.
- Excellent drafting skills and knowledge of the English language.


DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES

- UNHCR Field / HQ experience accompanied with knowledge of MSRP or other ERP systems is an advantage.
- In-depth knowledge of construction accounting and cost-benefit analysis.
- Project Management (Prince 2) or PMP.
- Proven ability to provide engineering support to projects internationally, specifically in relevant locations were UNHCR operates such as areas of conflict, war, fragile states and harsh conditions.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of property management. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 - Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 - Managing Resources Level 3
M003L3 - Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X006L3 - Policy Development & Research Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3
X008L3 - Stakeholder Management Level 3 <p>The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.</p>
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See below for this postion's Operational Context
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For those people applying for High Risk Duty Stations, we strongly encourage them – before deciding to apply- to read the country specific security and welfare country profiles which can be found on the Intranet under Support Services - Duty of Care (https://intranet.unhcr.org/en/support-services/duty-of-care.html). Ensuring staff are better informed is part of the increased attention UNHCR is paying to Duty of Care.

 

Staff after having applied to High Risk Duty Stations will have access to country specific information webinars with Field Safety Section (FSS) and Staff Welfare Section (SWS) colleagues and provided with a tool to test their psychological preparedness for serving in High Risk Duty Stations. Applicants who applied for a position in a High Risk country will receive, after the deadline for applications has expired, a joint invitation from the Staff Welfare Section (SWS) and the Field Safety Section (FSS) to participate in these webinars. During the Webinars, latest updates on security and well-being will be provided, and FSS and SWS will address questions raised by participants. Applicants are highly encouraged to benefit, when applicable, from all measures as they provide most up-to-date security and well-being information helpful to assess staff’s readiness to serve in a High Risk Duty Station. A Staff Welfare Officer will also be available, if and when required, to discuss with interested applicants the results of the psychological preparedness tool as well as readiness for assignment in High Risk Duty Stations.

 

- Ability to provide practical guidance to operations regarding office leases, purchase or right of use for a wide range of contexts/operations.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques of effective report preparation and presentation.
- Knowledge of MSRP or other ERP systems. Desirable Attributes:
- This position requires strong personality and a team player with high degree of service-oriented attitude.
- Well versed with cost-benefit analysis and real estate occupancy and best practices.
- Up-to-date knowledge of economic trends and market conditions of construction industry. 
- Knowledge of principles and practices of property management. - Knowledge to formulate strategies and provide expert engineering support to minimize and resolve issues pertaining to complex infrastructure and civil works.
- Excellent knowledge of English (written, oral, comprehension).- Experience in developing policies, administrative instructions and guidance for the area of infrastructure and civil works.
- Experience in creation and assistance with templates, models and guidance for infrastructure and works.
- Knowledge of FIDIC contracts for construction and infrastructure projects. - Experience in progressively responsible functions in engineering, technical support, project management, construction, building maintenance, facilities management, procurement of works, goods and services in the construction field in public, private sector and/or UN agency.
- Proven capacity to provide expert guidance and oversight in relation to acquisition, lease and or improvements of administrative premises. The position covers all aspects of acquiring (owned, leased and under right of use) land and property for administrative premises. The nature of work inter alia is to establish direct working relations with the Heads of Field offices in identifying opportunities to support strategic directions and business needs of the Organization; formulating and implementing UNHCR property strategy; managing property risks, assessment of market forces and economic cycles financed by UNHCR and managed by operational or implementing partners. The position is based in Budapest, Hungary, where adequate infrastructure, health, education, banking, recreational facilities are available and easily accessible. Staff members should take responsibility and cautiousness for their own personal and residential security.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2018 Compendium is Thursday 18 October  2018 (midnight Geneva time).