Senior Environmental Engineer (Retainer)

Background Information - Ghana Multi Country Office (GMCO)
GMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

• Liaise and develop engagements, and deliver services responding to partner needs.
• Leverage advice and integrate delivery modalities of the three Delivery Practices and the Global Partner Service Office.
• Maintain appropriate arrangements and capacity for direct transactional support for delivery of the sub-regional portfolio.

Background Information – Sierra Leone 

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) Ghana Multicountry Office (GMCO), located in Accra, Ghana is responsible for projects in Anglophone West Africa, covering Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.  GMCO is responsible for managing strategic and operational risks associated with a subset of the regional portfolio of engagements, developing and delivering cost effective services contributing to partners’ sustainable results and achievements of UNOPS management results.

UNOPS has been established in Sierra Leone since 2000 and currently has 65 personnel in country, operating out of 3 main locations – in Freetown and the other district Field Offices.

During the last 15 years, UNOPS has delivered a variety of infrastructure projects nationwide, particularly in the fields of health and security infrastructure, and has procured a variety of vehicles, non-medical health related items and medical equipment.
The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) embarked on a series of improvements in the health sector in 2010 through the National Health Sector Strategic Plan (NHSSP). With the launch of Free Health Care Initiative (FHCI) in 2010, GoSL took an ambitious approach to reducing financial barriers by introducing health care systems strengthening across all pillars (Governance, Communications, M&E, Drugs and Medical Supplies, Infrastructure, Health Workforce, and Financing). The FHCI was found to be one important factor contributing to improved health care, in particular to coverage and equity of coverage of essential services for mothers and children. 

In support of the Ministry of Health & Sanitation of the Government of Sierra Leone and to strengthen its capacity in the provision of healthcare services, the World Bank Group (WBG), through the PBF scheme, intends to improve the existing infrastructure of eight (8) health facilities in the District of Kailahun before scaling up nation-wide. 

The Senior Environmental Engineer will be responsible for coordinating, planning, organizing, analyzing, and reporting on the Environmental aspects of the Project. This will include undertaking relevant screening and assessments, designing appropriate enhancements and mitigation measures,  and monitoring  to ensure the effective implementation of the recommendations for sustainable results. The Senior Environmental Engineer will also be required to respond to other related tasks that will be assigned in response to the Country Office needs.

1. Technical

• Undertake research with the objective of satisfying UNOPS and National Environmental Protection and safeguard requirements as well as  International Standards as applicable

• Complete Social and Environmental screening 

• Define scope of Environmental study to be undertaken as recommended by the Screening

• Carry out Environmental and Social Review or Impact Assessment

• Source and present baseline information on the environment in the project areas, including the physical, biological and socio-economic conditions

• Design and implement a consultation process to facilitate effective stakeholders’ participation and involvement of community to ensure sustainable solutions

• Identify need for technical assistance to communities, service providers and public-sector to respond to the impact of implementation of mitigation measures 

• Analyse, Design and Recommend effective and efficient  enhancement/mitigation measures 

• Suggest activities which contribute to sustainable development of the concerned areas, considering in particular waterborne diseases, HIV/AIDS, community health, education and food security

• Deliver Environmental and Safeguard Report and implementable environmental and social management plan

• Secure relevant Sierra Leone Environmental Protection Agency Permit to proceed with Works

• Develop appropriate budgets and schedules to facilitate the implementation of the environmental impact mitigation program

• Provide input into the tender documents (Drawings, BoQ, Technical specification and Standards) with particular focus on the environmental aspects

• Monitor Construction works to ensure the compliance with proposed solutions 

• Adhere to UNOPS HSSE Policies, guidelines and requirements whilst collaborating with Project Team towards the deliverables/outputs as stated 

• Raw and analysed data presented in a format that can be interrogated for sufficiency and accuracy

• Photos, sketches or marked up drawings to support data

• Final Report and plans of findings and recommendations 

• Produce any other relevant documentation as required by the Project Manager

The Senior Environmental Engineer shall work diligently with the team in Sierra Leone in meeting the below checkpoints to assure the deliverables of the assignment are on time and to the desired quality. Specific duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• An Inception Report describing among other things, the scope of Environmental study and approach and standards to which assessment is to be carried out.

• Record of stakeholder Management activities carried for the purpose of obtaining relevant information and confirming assessment requirements, standards and best practice 

• Submission of Final Report detailing the sites assesses, analysis and recommendations

• Undertake additional tasks as required by Project Manager

• Contribute to the project evaluation process; highlight challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle.

• Provide training and knowledge transfer where required

• Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building

A. Education: 

• Advanced university degree (master or equivalent) in  Environmental Sciences or Engineering is required.

• University Degree (bachelor’s degree / first level) in  Environmental Sciences or Engineering with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience will be accepted in lieu of the  educational  requirement outlined above. 

B. Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years' experience with at least five (5) years of specific experience in relevant Environmental Sciences/Engineering and Social safeguard  field is required

• A minimum of four (4) years' experience in Disaster Risk Management related Work field is an advantage

C. Language: 

• Fluency in English is required. 

• Knowledge of Krio and/or other local languages is an advantage. 

D. Skills and Certifications

Certifications

• Project Management certification (PRINCE2® Foundation, PMP) is desirable.

• Active membership in a professional Environmental or Engineering body will be an added advantage.

Project Management Skills

• Environment (Safeguards) and Social Management

• Sustainable development

• Stakeholder Management

• Knowledge Management

• Quality Management

• Reporting

• Capacity Building

Contextual Skills 

• Experience in Infrastructure in developing country context 

• Data Analysis and Interpretation

• Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
• Contract level: LICA 11/ ICS 11
• Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – ‘Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.’

• 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.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• 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
• Freetown is a Family Duty Station
• 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.

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.

Africa Region

AFR helps ensure that projects are executed to the highest standards, providing a shared knowledge base and ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are disseminated between projects across the entire region.