Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

  • Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
  • Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
  • Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
  • Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience, and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with national counterparts on solutions to global and national development challenges. Learn more at undp.org.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.  UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.  

UNDP is a long-term development partner of the Maldives. In the Upper Middle-Income Country and Small Island Developing State context, UNDP country office in Maldives provides technical assistance, policy and technical advisory services to the Government of Maldives in their efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG); in partnership with development partners, financial institutions, private sector and civil society. In Maldives, UNDP’s programme priorities and partnerships are defined and operationalized through the Country Programme between Government of Maldives and UNDP to support and contribute to the development priorities and results envisioned in the 5-year Strategic Action Plan and 20-year National Development Plan. 

In the current Country Programme cycle 2022 – 2026 (https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/2022-07/CPD%20Maldives.pdf), UNDP has significantly shifted its programme offer to Maldives around 3 pillars supported by a diverse funding base from government finance, bilateral and multilateral donors, blended and innovative finance, etc.: (i) Integrated Governance Programme focusing on justice sector reform, decentralization and local governance with youth, gender and people with disabilities’ participation; (ii) climate and nature actions for resilient communities, (iii) SDG finance and fiscal spacing, to enable Maldives to achieve sustainable development by eradicating inequality and poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural transformations for sustainable development and building resilience to crises and shock. Currently, UNDP Maldives is in the process of formulating the new Country Programme 2027 – 2031 in consultation with the Government of Maldives, stakeholders, partners, academia and civil societies in the Maldives.

Within this framework, the Resilience and Climate Change (RCC) Unit leads and implements a diverse portfolio of projects focused on climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, ecosystem-based solutions, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Several projects under the RCC portfolio include construction and infrastructure-related components such as coastal protection works, resilient public infrastructure, and community-level facilities.

To ensure technical quality and compliance with UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP), effective contract management, and adherence to environmental and social safeguards, UNDP Maldives seeks to engage a part-time Project Engineer (NPSA-08). The Engineer will provide technical oversight, quality assurance and contract management support across multiple RCC projects, working in close collaboration with Programme, Project, Procurement, and Operations teams, as well as contracted construction and supervision firms.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

The Engineer works under the guidance and supervision of Programme Specialist in close collaboration with the relevant Project Management Units, and Operations staff in the Country Office, Government counterparts, and project stakeholders, to exchange information and ensure high quality and consistent services delivery.

Under the overall supervision of the Programme Specialist, Climate Change and in close coordination with the relevant Project Management Units, Procurement, and Operations teams, the Project Engineer will provide technical oversight, advisory support, and quality assurance for construction and infrastructure-related components across RCC projects.

Summary of Key Functions: 

  • Provide technical advisory support in construction and infrastructure related outputs and activities to achieve projects’ results.
  • Monitor, evaluate and report on progress for construction and infrastructure related project outputs and activities.
  • Perform technical oversight, quality assurance, and verification against contractual obligations.
  • Contribute to technical capacity building, knowledge sharing and facilitation.

Provide and coordinate technical advisory support in construction and infrastructure related outputs and activities to achieve projects’ results: 

  • Provide technical advisory support for construction and infrastructure-related components across RCC projects, ensuring compliance with UNDP policies and procedures, national standards, and climate-resilient design principles.
  • Provide engineering inputs during project design and planning stages for construction and infrastructure-related components.
  • Support planning, procurement, and tendering processes by reviewing technical designs, specifications, BoQs, and participating in technical evaluations of bids.
  • Review technical designs, drawings, Bills of Quantities (BoQs), cost estimates, and technical specifications to ensure compliance with national standards, climate-resilient design principles, and UNDP requirements.
  • Support the preparation and review of Terms of Reference (TORs), technical specifications, and tender documents for civil works and supervision services.
  • Participate in pre-bid and clarification meetings and respond to bidders’ technical queries, as required. 
  • Support technical evaluation of bids and provide recommendations to UNDP evaluation committees.
  • Identify potential technical and implementation risks during procurement and propose appropriate mitigation measures.

Monitor, evaluate and report on progress for construction and infrastructure related project outputs and activities: 

  • Provide part-time technical oversight of ongoing construction and infrastructure works implemented under RCCU projects.
  • Support PMUs in implementing project-level quality assurance mechanisms for construction works.
  • Review and validate contractor submissions including method statements, work plans, material submittals, and shop drawings prior to implementation.
  • Ensure all construction documentation is reviewed and aligned with quality requirements before work commences on site.
  • Conduct periodic site visits jointly with the Supervision Consultant, as required, to verify construction quality, progress, and compliance with approved designs, specifications, and contracts.
  • Ensure construction activities comply with approved drawings, technical specifications, protocols, and applicable national and international standards
  • Provide input for technical issues, defects, or deviations and advise Project Managers on corrective actions.

Perform technical oversight, quality assurance, and verification against contractual obligations: 

  • Provide technical support to UNDP in contract management for contractors and supervision firms engaged under RCC unit projects.
  • Act as the PMU’s engineering focal point for coordination with the Supervision Firm, escalating technical or contractual issues to the respective PMU as necessary.
  • Conduct biweekly meetings with the supervision firm and monthly meetings jointly with the contractor and supervision consultant to discuss technical issues, ensure that corrective actions are implemented, and support the timely progress of deliverables. 
  • Monitor contractors’ and supervision firms’ performance against contractual scope, timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.
  • Ensure supervision services are delivered in accordance with contractual obligations, approved TORs, and UNDP expectations.
  • Review and provide technical input on variation orders, additional works, and contract amendments.
  • Review and validate inspection reports, quality assurance findings, and recommendations submitted by the Supervision Firm.
  • Provide technical guidance to the Supervision Firm, as required, to address quality, compliance, or performance issues.
  • Provide technical inputs for certification of milestones, interim payment certificates, and completion certificates.
  • Support the management of contract variations, extensions of time, claims, and amendments by providing technical justifications and assessments.
  • Flag risks related to delays, cost overruns, quality issues, or non-performance and recommend corrective actions to Project Managers. Support coordination between UNDP, contractors, and supervision firms to resolve technical or contractual issues in a timely manner.

Contribute to technical capacity building, knowledge sharing and facilitation: 

  • Liaise with PMUs, partners, consultants, and contractors to resolve technical and quality-related issues during implementation and ensure timely resolution.
  • Promote effective communication and collaboration among project stakeholders, including local authorities and community organizations.
  • Provide concise technical inputs to progress reports, site visit reports, and completion reports.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date technical and quality assurance records related to construction activities.
  • Verify completed works and support final inspections, preparation of snag lists, and handover processes in line with UNDP procedures.
  • Assist in the handover of completed infrastructure to relevant stakeholders, ensuring proper documentation and archiving in line with UNDP procedures.
  • Ensure compliance with Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, and UNDP safeguards and support monitoring of contractors
  • Conduct regular assessments to risks related to environmental impact, social, or safety performance and ensure mitigation measures are effectively integrated into project planning and execution.
  • Support documentation of non-compliance and follow-up on corrective actions.
  • Support technical capacity building initiatives, facilitate knowledge sharing, with in the CO and project unit .

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Achieve Results: Level 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline
  • Think Innovatively: Level 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements 
  • Learn Continuously: Level 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback
  • Adapt with Agility: Level 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible 
  • Act with Determination: Level 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident
  • Engage and Partner: Level 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships
  • Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies:

2030 Agenda 

  • Climate: Climate Change Adaptation: Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Business Management

  • Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize resources to achieve goals, ensuring that project milestones and deliverables are met
  • Risk Management: Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks
  • Communication: Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: Ability to systematically monitor results of strategies, programmes, and activities with a view to make sure that they are being implemented effectively; Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback and reporting on the consistency or discrepancy between planned activities and programme management and results. Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, concepts, methodologies, systems, processes, and tools. Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks.
  • Results-based management: Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results. Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools
  • Customer Satisfaction/Client Management: Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field is required; or
  • A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above fields with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

  • Applicants with master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in civil works, construction supervision or infrastructure project implementation.

Desired Skills:

  • Proven experience to review technical drawings, specifications, and BoQs.
  • Experience in construction supervision or quality assurance.
  • Proven experience of strong analytical and reporting skills.
  • Proficiency in MS Office; familiarity with AutoCAD or similar software is an asset.
  • Experience in handling web-based management systems such as UNDP ERP, Quantum, and SharePoint and documentation processes.
  • Experience in executing and timely delivery of projects.
  • Experience in working in infrastructure development projects in the development sector (national and/or international) and UN agencies Experience in climate-resilient infrastructure, coastal works, or public infrastructure projects 

Required Languages:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English and Dhivehi is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection

Scam alert

UNDP does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process. For further information, please see www.undp.org/scam-alert.

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