Project Manager (Engineering Tech Cell) (NPSA-8)

UNDP supports municipalities in Serbia to implement priority projects in the following areas: good governance, local economic development, tourism, agriculture and rural development, nature preservation and energy efficiency. The support is provided in selection of priority projects, in development of annual work plans and realistic implementation timeframes and careful resource planning and monitoring.

Under the resilience portfolio, UNDP implements several projects related to strengthening resilience of local communities as well as of the City of Belgrade which are requiring engineering services of various specializations, including for management and oversight of infrastructure activities and coordination of subsidiary work in the field of electrical, mechanical geological, traffic, and environmental engineers. As a rule, UNDP requires that the candidate for engineering specialization poses a valid license of the Chamber of Engineers.

This assignment will be linked to large-scale infrastructure projects within the resilience portfolio:

• “Advanced Capacity for Accelerated Delivery Initiative” (ACADI) to assist Public Investment Management Office in:
• Preparation of technical documentation for construction of the new and reconstruction of existing sports facilities, in accordance with highest current international standards;
• Preparation of technical documentation for reconstruction, adaptation and construction of clinics, hospitals and secondary schools.
• Platform for National Concert Hall development- preparation of designing process, up to the execution design, which will include both quality design documents, and broad societal consensus about the National Concert Hall;
• Support to LSG - to provide adequate and efficient support to cities and municipalities in the Republic of Serbia in planning and identifying infrastructure projects.
• “Strengthening the resilience and preparedness of the City of Belgrade for the response to natural disasters and crises” to establish an early warning system (EWS) for the city of Belgrade; as well as developing and implementing trainings for municipality Emergency HQs; and increasing general awareness about emergency preparedness among the population
• “Partnership for Local Development” - support local self-governments (LSGs) in repairing existing infrastructure and improving the quality of service provision at local level, thus improving the quality of life of local communities and reducing the population outflow
• Memorandum for Provision of Management and Other Support Services, entered between the “UNDP”, and the City of Belgrade - Preparation of technical documentation for reconstruction, adaptation and construction of large infrastructure projects  
• Memorandum for Provision of Management and Other Support Services, entered between the “UNDP”, and PIMO - Preparation of technical documentation for reconstruction, adaptation and construction large infrastructure projects
• EU for Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Resilience Strengthening in the Republic of Serbia - Planning and technical documentation for reconstruction of the Rudno Education Centre, as well as supervision of works to be carried in the later stage.

Under the direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager, for activities pertaining to the resilient development portfolio, the Engineering Manager has the responsibility to manage, oversee and quality assure the work of the Engineering Tech cell and  infrastructure related activities. The Engineering Manager should manage and assure that the resilient portfolio projects produce the results specified in the Project Documents for the infrastructure components, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Project management of infrastructure projects:

• Manage and coordinate the implementation of the respective activities based on the relevant project documents, including, as needed, supervision and guidance of other project staff, consultants and experts with a view to achieving project results;
• Oversee, manage and provide guidance  to team of engineers employed within the Tech Cell Unit
• Develop comprehensive/detailed project work-plans that include all project activities and roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and setting-out corresponding milestones;
• Manage timely and good-quality implementation of workplan activities and monitor progress against the approved infrastructure workplan; identifies changes in the external environment and promptly suggests necessary solutions/actions (ex. related to the planning and implementation of activities, need for new activities) with the Portfolio Analyst and Portfolio Manager;
• Ensure adherence of project activities to the existing financial, procurement and administrative processes that are in line with UNDP rules and regulations and, at the same time, observing the project timelines;
• Manage the transfer of project deliverables to national beneficiaries and other project stakeholders;
• Monitors expenditures of financial resources to ensure accuracy and reliability of financial reports;
• Presents periodic updates/reports on project progress to the Portfolio Manager;
• In coordination with the Portfolio Manager, establishes and maintains working relations with national partners, local institutions, local services, and support the implementation of project activities.

Expert support on infrastructure projects:

• In accordance with the instructions of the Portfolio Manager, supervises consultants, reviews and approves technical designs and BoQs, ensures detailed monitoring and supervision of the construction works on the sites and provides final engineering clearance for payment under the terms of the contracts;
• Coordinates the preparation of terms of reference for the design of complex infrastructure initiatives;
• Conduct field visits, when and if necessary, linked to improved development of ToRs;
• Conduct meetings with key partners and beneficiaries while preparing ToRs and during all stages of technical documentation development (concept design, preliminary design, design for construction and design for execution);
• Obtain partner and beneficiary approval for all the stages of technical documentation development (concept design, preliminary design, design for construction and design for execution);
• Support preparation of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender processes for procurement of goods and services;
• Be responsible for the management of project activities that require engineering interventions;
• Intervene to resolve problems and/or conflicts and recommend corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work and managing these corrections upon the approval by the Portfolio Manager
• Provide early warning to the Portfolio Manager of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the works.
• Liaising with contractors, municipalities and other partners on project matters;
• Revision and approval of all design documents, related to electrical installations and systems and provide expert opinion to technical soulutions
• Presents periodic updates/reports on project progress to the Portfolio Manager;
• In coordination with the Portfolio Manager, establishes and maintains working relations with national partners, local institutions, local services, and support the implementation of project activities.

Monitoring progress and risks in infrastructure projects:

• Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual workplans and progress reports.
• Providing inputs for creation of project monitoring and evaluation framework
• Ensuring full compliance of activities with established project management rules, regulations, and policies;
• Drafting correspondence on project engineering issues for Portfolio Manager, as required.
• Liaising with contractors, municipalities and other partners on project matters.
• Performing other tasks/duties as assigned by the supervisor.
• Analyze new potential risks and define mitigation measures accordingly.
• Prepares a monitoring Plan and implement it with the support of the project team, as determined by the monitoring schedule.

Quality assurance of ToRs and SoWs:

• Serve as the main focal point for review and fine tune of all ToRs and SoWs for engineering services, bringing them in line with the UNDP standards while reducing the potential risks that could occur during the project implementation
• Preparation of Terms of References (TORs) for design and engineering services
• Review of TORs for design and engineering services
• Support in preparation of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender process for procurement of goods and services.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Manager (Engineering Tech Cell) will work under guidance and direct supervision of the Portfolio Manager Local Resilience Development and in close cooperation with respective project teams.

• Master`s degree in one of the following areas: architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master's degree.  

• 2 years (with Bachelor`s degree) of relevant experience in infrastructure project management, in particular in development of technical designs and in the fields of Construction Engineering (including structural designs engineering), Electrical Engineering, Architecture, Safety and energy efficiency. 

Required Languages:

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and working knowledge of English.

Required skills:

• Good organizational and time management skills
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
• Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet
• Ability to work under very tight deadlines.
• Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in team
• Ability to summarize and systematize complex information
• Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Excellent negotiating and leadership skills
• Responsible, communicative, well-organized, team-oriented person
• Ability to demonstrate a sense of self-assuredness.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired skills in addition to the competencies covered in the Competencies section:

• Possession of the following license would be considered an asset: 350, 353
• Work experience in international organization and/or government institution would be an asset
• Work experience in quality assurance of ToRs for development of technical documentation/construction works would be an asset
• Experience in monitoring and reporting on designing, technical control and supervision of work
• Knowledge of national legislation
• Familiarity with Law on Planning and Construction requirements

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

1. Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers.
2. A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position.
3. Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials.