Engineering Jobs at UN (United Nations),

UNOPS (United Nations Office for Project Service) is looking for motivated, highly qualified, and experienced Construction Engineer to assist the project work in Kabul, Afghanistan. This vacancy is ideal and suitable for construction engineers who are looking for Engineering related jobs in UN organizations.

Roles and Responsibilities 

• Delivering on-site building construction and refurbishment works under the project ensuring the quality of work exceeding specification requirements, meeting time and cost targets specified and maintaining a high level of satisfaction of all stakeholders concerned.
• Leading a team of national engineers, architects and quantity surveyors to ensure effective participation of the team in the delivery of building construction and refurbishment projects.
• Checking drawings, specifications, and other design and construction documentation to ensure accuracy and constructability, identify potential design and construction issues at early stages well before they occur, and provide advice to the team on effectively resolving them.
• Working with the contractors and their staff on a daily basis to ensure delivery is maintained at the required level to meet project quality, time and cost targets.
• Working with the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Officer and other team members, ensure the HSSE aspects are effectively managed to meet project HSSE targets.
• Organize regular site meetings, chair the meetings, discuss the issues, provide efficient and effective solutions to issues, prepare minutes of meetings and submit to PM for approval.
• Oversee the site progress reports prepared by team members, guide them on better reporting, ensure useful reports are produced meeting AFOC report quality requirements and submit them on a regular basis to the PM.
• Taking into consideration the difficulties encountered in working in an environment such as Kabul, Afghanistan, ensure effective relationships are maintained with all stakeholders at all times.
• Working with the QA/QC Engineer, ensure the site works are delivered to the highest possible quality standards, setting a good example for other UNOPS projects.  Ensure a high level of satisfaction of stakeholders on quality of work.
• Manage the process of design changes where required, obtain necessary approvals and implement them to ensure minimum disturbance to site work.
• Proactively manage contractor variations following acceptable procedures, negotiate with the contractor to ensure value for money for the Client, implement variations and systematically record them.
• Manage and certify contractor payments and submit to PM for approval.  Maintain accurate payment records for all contracts at all times.
• Resolve on-site and off-site contractual disputes with contractors amicably to minimize the need for escalating issues to higher management.
• Provide regular updates and communication with the contractor, the PM, Government stakeholders, other team members, and UNOPS Procurement, Human Resources, QA/QC and Project Management Office (PMO).
• Ensure that the contractors fully understand and implement the provisions of UNOPS policies and requirements in all aspects including HSSE and Gender.
• Capacity building of UNOPS local project staff, interns and Contractor’s staff where necessary to ensure knowledge and skills are imparted to them to deliver the project more effectively and efficiently and to help them build their careers in the future.
• Thoroughly understand and apply instructions and guidance from applicable norms and standards including the UNOPS Design Planning Manual, International Building Code (IBC) and applicable international and national codes, standards and specifications.
• Act as the Project’s Officer in Charge (OIC) when required during periods of absence of the PM.

Eligibilities and Requirements

• Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction, or Architecture.
• First Level University Degree in Civil Engineering, Construction, or Architecture with an additional five years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the Master’s Degree requirement.
• Experience delivering vertical infrastructure construction projects in development or post-conflict environment is essential.
• Minimum 10 years leading, managing and overseeing vertical infrastructure project implementation teams and construction contractors.
• Five years’ experience liaising with donors, local counterparts and beneficiaries, working in international aid-funded projects.
• Close familiarity with construction industry standard forms of contract such as FIDIC is required.
• Previous experience managing building construction projects in Afghanistan desirable.
• Prince 2 Practitioner Certificate or Foundation Certificate is highly desirable.