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Chief Engineer, P5

Rome

  • Organization: WFP - World Food Programme
  • Location: Rome
  • Grade: Senior level - P-5, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Engineering
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

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

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

Reporting:


The selected candidate as Chief Engineer (P5), WFP Engineering reports to the Divisional Director, RMM Management Services, and will be under the functional supervision of the Chief of Facilities Management Branch (RMMI) at Rome Headquarters.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES: 


Within delegated authority, the Chief Engineer (P5), WFP Engineering will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Provide overall professional leadership and expertise in engineering management, disciplines, and areas of competence, to senior management at Rome HQ, Regional Bureaux and at Country Office level, as required. This will encompass all aspects of engineering activities and technologies;construction planning, procurement and supervision, whether by contract or ‘direct labour’ options;construction risk analysis and mitigation; environmental assessments and mitigations; project development strategies; contract formulation and preparation; and construction methodologies, and premises related health and safety.
  • Provide expert level advice to senior management at Rome HQ on policies, procedures, guidelines and operations, for all aspects of engineering services and management, and industry ‘best practice’.
  • Provide normative and technical direction to all staff or partners engaged in engineering services or construction activities on behalf of WFP.
  • Provide advice and recommendations to the Divisional Director regarding the performance and functional evaluation of WFP staff and partners engaged in engineering services or construction activities across WFP operations.
  • Manage and develop the activities, work programs, priorities and resourcing of WFP Engineering. Prepare and present periodic reports for Branch Chiefs, and to Divisional Directors at Rome HQ, as required.
  • Oversee and guide the implementation of WFP policies, and standards, norms and practices related to construction and engineering activities. Oversee and guide the technical assessment and selection of lands, buildings, or premises, and associated services and utilities for use by WFP as places of work or residence, including, in coordination with other relevant HQ Divisions, all aspects of blast, seismic, and fire safety engineering.
  • Oversee and guide the selection, recruitment and development of appropriate engineering expertise,competencies and training actions for engineering within WFP.
  • Oversee and guide the procurement and appointment of specialist engineering, architectural or specialist construction-related services for WFP in accordance with relevant WFP policies and guidelines.
  • Maintain oversight over all WFP engineering, construction and environmental activities. Oversee and endorse, as appropriate, the establishment and management of engineering teams, workprograms, construction project completion, financial management and final accounts, and hand-over procedures.
  • Oversee and advise in relation to construction procurement strategies, the preparation of construction procurement documentation, evaluation and assessment methodologies, and recommendations in relation to preferred bidders.
  • Guide and maintain oversight over guidance presented to PCC at Country, Regional and HQ level,as appropriate, to support deliberations in relation to construction procurement activities.
  • Represent WFP at international meetings and conferences, build and maintain strong partnerships with internal and external clients, stakeholders and funders. Oversee coordination with other HQ Divisions and branches where their activities relate to the management of engineering or construction activities.
  • Develop, maintain and coordinate WFP engineering capacities in relation to emergency response activities. Coordinate with key stakeholders in the preparation and development of contingency plans within WFP planning frameworks. Oversee the preparation of operational plans and identify resource requirements at the onset of emergency operations.
  • Any other task or duty that may be assigned by Divisional Directors or senior management

Results Expected:

  • Strategic positioning of WFP's infrastructure capacity to facilitate humanitarian response.
  • Excellent leadership skills for effective management of human and financial resources; strong partnerships established and maintained internally and externally.
  • Clear project planning and objectives established, including risks and mitigations communicated and implemented effectively.
  • Sound policy advice and technical, contract and construction procurement guidance and training provided to the unit’s staff on related areas of work.
  • Work is organized in an effective manner where the unit’s structure conform to relevant policies and established procedures and ensure maximum productivity.
  • Expertise in managing a large construction programs, multi-disciplinary teams and engineering activities, achieving planned outcomes to cost, quality and time
  • An effectively managed and supervised unit. Oversee and develop appropriate integrated policies and procedures for engineering management.
  • Authoritative policy guidance and advice provided to senior managers for effective use of technical, human and financial resources consistent with construction industry best practice.

Critical Success Factors:

  • Expert knowledge and professional competence in engineering, construction procurement strategies, construction law and management of environmental and health and safety obligations. Ability to analyse and assess risk, formulate options, draw sound conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
  • Strong leadership abilities, and proven capacity to manage, motivate staff and resolve any performance issues; strong mentoring skills; and professional and personal ethical framework.
  • Understands humanitarian emergency environment and role of engineering to facilitate operations through infrastructure.
  • Ability to set realistic work programs, schedules and objectives; and to effectively manage financial resources of the unit.
  • Strong communication skills, both oral and written;
  • Determination, resourcefulness, initiative, tact and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships across multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
  • Ability to provide technical guidance and support to decentralised technical staff in regional and country offices.
  • Sound advice to senior management on complex issues; demonstrated capacity for intellectual leadership and ability to integrate knowledge with broader strategic, policy and operational objectives and translate into a result oriented work programme/project.
  • Strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others and reach agreement on difficult issues.Ability to successfully anticipate, resolve arising issues by providing solid recommendations.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

  • University Degree in Engineering, in a specific engineering discipline (Civil, Structural, Mechanical,Electrical or Environmental Engineering).
  • Accreditation to ‘Professional Engineer’ or ‘Chartered Engineer’ status, or recognized equivalent, by an appropriate national or international regulatory authority.

Essential Experience/Knowledge:


At least 12 years relevant and progressively responsible engineering experience, to senior level, managing large-scale engineering or construction projects.
 

Required:

  • working with construction contract formats and contract management obligations using FIDIC or MDBformats;
  • financial management of construction project and its final accounts;
  • public procurement procedures;
  • engineering and construction Quality Assurance/Control mechanisms and procedures;
  • experience in humanitarian emergency and hardship locations.

Desirable:

  • specialised engineering technologies including GIS, engineering surveys and assessments, including geotechnical and topographical
  • application of environmental management procedures and impact assessment methodologies;
  • ‘Health and Safety’ practices and systems in engineering activities.


Knowledge:


Training and/or experience using computers, including word processing, spread-sheet and other standard WFP software packages; and using computer aided design, drafting and surveying systems, MS Project and/or other project management software. General knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations and procedures.

Language:

  • As English is the predominant language of engineering construction, and of international constructioncontract law, fluency in written and spoken English is required under all circumstances.
  • Working knowledge (proficiency/level B or C) of one official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French,Russian or Spanish) or of Portuguese (WFP’s working language).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details please visit icsc.un.org.

Deadline for applications: 6 June 2019

Ref.: VA No. 105347

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.

This vacancy is now closed.
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