Project Engineer (LIF)

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

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.

Based on a long-standing partnership and UNDP previous experience in implementing large and medium-size EU funded urban upgrading and infrastructure projects in the northern part of Cyprus, the European Commission requested UNDP to continue supporting this type of infrastructure projects through the establishment of a new instrument called “Local Infrastructure Facility (LIF)”.

The Facility will help identify, screen, mature, prepare for tender, and implement local infrastructure investments, targeting the funding on competitive basis to ensure best value for money and providing support also to those communities with a lower technical and administrative capacity. This will in turn result in a greater positive impact on the standard of living of local populations and increase the visibility of EU interventions in the priority areas.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager (LIF), the Project Engineer (LIF) provides services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The Project Engineer promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Engineer works for the LIF project in close collaboration with the operations, programme/projects’ staff in the office and with UNDP HQs staff to exchange information and ensure consistent service delivery.

Duties And Responsibilities

Ensures elaboration of implementation plans:

• Support to the LIF project manager in the development of detailed individual plans for each selected intervention allocated to the engineering specialist, including procurement and disbursement plans.
• Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the individual project plans and proposing revisions when needed.

Ensures quality of technical studies, employer’s requirements and technical designs and compliance with standards to be used:

• Preparation, under the supervision of the LIF project manager, of terms of reference for the elaboration of required designs.
• Collaborate with the LIF project manager during the selection of the service providers (companies).
• Monitoring the work of service providers, including day-to-day communication, quality control and providing inputs to the Project Manager and Procurement Analyst for vendor performance.
• Follow-up on the issuance of Visas and Construction Permits and all other necessary permits.
• Ensuring proper communication and inclusion of stakeholders in all aspects related to this key function.

Provides effective guidance and support throughout all stages of procurement processes:

• Collation and preparation of all technical documents.
• Manage the UNall case, including the submission of all supporting documents.
• Participation in the evaluation of bids – assessment of bidder’s competency and experience as per the ITB requirements.

Ensure Effective Oversight Of Construction Works And Supervision

• Participation in the selection process of the Engineers (Supervision of Works)
• Responsible in ensuring for each project that the implementation of works is compliant with the contract stipulation, including technical specifications, drawings and bill of quantities.
• Monitor the work of the Engineers to ensure full compliance with the contract stipulations
• Ensuring, in case of Design and Build contracts, that the preparation of the design is in line with the Employer Requirements and follows all standards in force.
• Conducting site visits to monitor progress of works and their quality and as such control the work of the Engineer. During such visits, he/she will also control that the contractor is abiding to the health and safety plans approved at the beginning of the works.
• Organize and conduct regular site visits with all relevant stakeholders.
• Taking all measures in line with the general and special contract conditions to reduce the risks of claims from construction companies.
• Ensuring that all documentation on site is kept according to the contract stipulations.
• Controlling all documents submitted by the Engineer with emphasis on making sure that methods of measurement are sound and that payment certificates are correct.
• Adequate filing of all documentation related to each project according to UNDP Cyprus standards
• Organizing external spot checks on the site as part of the quality assurance mechanisms.
• Reporting to the LIF project manager the progress of works and contracts.
• Conducting the hand-over procedures.
• Providing inputs to the Project Manager and Procurement Analyst for vendor performance.

Facilitate Knowledge Sharing

• Identify areas for improving processes and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to maximize efficiency and simplify procedures.
• Provide inputs for preparation of knowledge articles, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and best practices; contribute to synthesizing lessons learnt and best practices.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

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

• Entrepreneurial Thinking
• Ability to create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners and to develop service offers responding to client needs based on UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate.
• System Thinking
• Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.
• Negotiation and Influence
• Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiates mutually acceptable solutions through compromise and creates win-win situations.
• Communication
• Ability to 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
• 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.
• Ability to anticipate client’s upcoming needs and concerns.
• Supplier/relationship management
• Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Education

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, or other related fields is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional 2 years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience

• Up to 2 years (with Master´s degree) or minimum 2 years (with Bachelor´s degree) of progressively responsible experience in the management of construction sites is required.

Required Skills

• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages, including engineering design software is required.
• Experience in the supervision of construction works is required.
• Nationals or others legally authorized to work in Cyprus are eligible. (country of citizenship or place of permanent residence)
• Valid driver’s license is a requirement.

Desired Skills

• Experience in the field of engineering supervision with valid certification is an asset.
• Prior experience with the UNDP or another UN Agency or International Organization is an asset.
• Experience working with local partners at the national and municipal level in the international development context would be an advantage.
• Experience and excellent knowledge of technical specifications and performance schedules of construction and installation works is an advantage.
• Experience and knowledge of quality control procedures is an asset.
• Familiarity with national legislation, norms and standards related to construction works, including critical infrastructures is an asset.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Turkish (written and spoken) is required.

Institutional Arrangement

The Project Engineer will be based at the UNDP local office in Nicosia. He/She will be working under the supervision of UNDP Project Manager.

Disclaimer

Applicant Information About UNDP Rosters

Note: 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.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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