Civil Engineering Specialist

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Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP Mozambique is supporting the Government of Mozambique as an Implementing Partner through the Ministry of Health (MoH). The Health Portfolio interventions align with the UNDP signature solution on poverty as it contributes to improving access to healthcare. UNDP Mozambique through a Financing Agreement (FA) modality will continue to work with the MoH, the Principal Recipient (PR), along with Central Medical Stores (CMAM), National Health Institute (INS) and Department of Infrastructure and Hospital Equipment (DIEH).

As part of the ONE UN Health Plan and the MoH Emergency Response Plan, and through the partnership with the Government, National Health Institute, UNDP is strengthening laboratory capacity for decentralized COVID19 testing, ensuring adequate health infrastructure, including through rehabilitation and installation of prefabricated health infrastructure. For COVID-19 response is planned the continued establishment of Laboratories for testing and respective equipment. Also, a new scope of works was requested for the rehabilitation of Regional Health Infrastructures (Maputo, Nampula, Beira) for the end-user National Health Institute, the expansion of existing laboratories with new rooms and warehouses. Through Health projects, UNDP Mozambique is also establishing new Community Health centres in 10 localities along the country. 

This systemic and integrated approach is facilitating the current decentralization process of the health system promoted by the government which aims for better and timely delivery of medicines, treatments, and healthcare to people at the local level. A key strategy of the Project is implementation at decentralized levels to reach vulnerable populations and to decrease geographical inequalities — thereby contributing to the strategic objectives of the National Strategic Health Plan (PESS).

The new decentralized approach includes the rehabilitation of a Regional Center for outbreak research in Beira, Sofala province along with the construction of new community health posts nearby, to be managed by the Civil Engineer resident in Beira.

Scope of Work:

Objectives of the assignment:

• Ensure quality development of the civil works Projects including Bill of Quantity, drawings, and bidding documents for the tender process. Support the evaluation process as a member of the technical panel; 
• Visit the construction and rehabilitation sites for feasibility assessment and/or progress monitoring – report accurately and prepare Executive Projects; 
• Report on progress and advise on risk management measures as an independent expert. 

In coordination with UNDP and MoH teams, the Civil Engineer will be responsible for the following key functions.  

1. Conducts field visits to assess the feasibility or progress of infrastructure interventions:

• Conducts field visits to several potential locations requiring specific technical assistance and, based on performed assessment recommends the best solution for project implementation and contracts management, to mitigate any deviation and ensure timely delivery;
• Prepares/reviews budget estimates based on the recommended solution for project implementation and contracts management; 
• Prepares/reviews Terms of References for detailed design for reconstruction/ rehabilitation of structures where needed;
• Responsible to coordinate the works and oversight the construction and supervision companies of the rehabilitation work under his/her responsibility.

2. Develops technical design documents for rehabilitation/construction interventions and provides technical inputs and quality assurance:

• Provides the oversight of the rehabilitation/construction work done by contractors, including the quality and quantity of the materials, construction techniques and works finishing; 
• Certifies that repairs and rebuilding are done in accordance with national Building Codes, Public Building Guidelines principles to promote resilience; 
• Reviews and refines technical documentation and specifications (existing and future layout, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) with an estimation of costs, technical description, design, and specific drawings, provide technical support to procurement processes under the project); 
• Ensures that technical documentation on rehabilitation/construction sites are maintained in accordance with relevant national laws and standards for building back better and contract for works; 
• Signs off on the final handover documentation upon completion of all(re)construction/rehabilitation works in coordination with the relevant Government counterparts; 
• Negotiates modifications with architects and engineers; dealing skilfully with a diverse range of people including clients; architects; other engineering professionals; sub-contractors;
• Licensing: determines necessary building permits, licenses, and ensures that they are obtained.

3. Formulates bidding documents in coordination with the relevant functional areas of UNDP and provides effective support throughout all stages of the tendering process:

• Provides technical assistance in the establishment of minimum standards for public buildings and health infrastructure requirements for the implementation of specific rehabilitation/construction tasks as required by the specific project;
• Develops technical project and tender documentation (ToR, tender dossier, tender evaluation, etc.) for the implementation of specific rehabilitation/construction tasks in partnership with the Government; 
• Ensures that necessary supporting documentation is in place prior to issuance of tender; 
• Participates in the evaluation of bids and selection of best bidder to the tender for rehabilitation/construction works and assessment of the bidder’s competencies and experience against minimum qualification requirements as per the Request for Proposal/Invitation to Bid requirements; 
• Analyses measures, quantities and descriptions of each item in the offers against the advertised BoQ; 
• Analyses and reviews the offered unit rates against the cost estimate in correlation with BoQs, provided by a design company, and to assess whether they are realistic.

4. Provides written report about the compliance of the evaluation process with UNDP procurement procedures:

• Provides technical assistance and quality assurance services to UNDP and national institutions; 
• Provides technical support to national institutions, contractors, implementing partners and other stakeholders under Health Portfolio; 
• Prepares guidance and technical documents as applicable and reviews others as requested by national and local partners; 
• Strengthens national and local capacities, provides training, and participates in capacity building initiatives as well as facilitates information sharing;
• Promotes awareness-raising among partners on standards and guidelines.

5. Oversight and building capacity of national institutions:

• Train, coach and mentor national institutions, contractors, implementing partners and other stakeholders under Health Portfolio – on the designing, BoQ preparation, technical specifications, reporting formats and on the supervision/monitoring of implementation, ensuring quality control and application of international standards. 

Expected Outputs:

The key results have an impact on the overall performance of the Health Programme and success in the implementation of programme strategies, infrastructures projects and civil works contracts.  Other major outputs expected are: 

• Site assessments conducted and designs, drawings, internal cost estimates, descriptive memories and Bills of Quantities produced – based on high quality field reports;
• In liaison with procurement, tender documents developed, advertised and qualified contractors selected and awarded respective contracts, with clear milestones and risk management frameworks defined;
• Timely production of relevant reports; monthly, quarterly, annual, as required by the donor;
• Timely completion of all renovation/construction works under the different projects; 
• Capacity building to national counterparts;
• Effective, regular field visits to project sites, monitoring, and supervision of contractors. Certification of all completed work.

Institutional Arrangement

The Civil Engineer reports in the day-to-day to the Senior Civil Engineer, with overall strategic guidance by the Programme Manager.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;

Think Innovatively: LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;

Learn Continuously: LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;

Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;

Act with Determination: LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;

Engage and Partner: LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;

Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies: 

Business Direction and Strategy

• 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 alerting one element can impact on other part of the system.

Business Development

• Knowledge Generation
  • ​​​​​​​Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.
• Collective Intelligence Design
  • Ability to bring together a diverse group of people, data information or ideas and technology to design the services and solutions.

Business Management

• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and control resources, procedures, and protocols to achieve the specific goals.
• Partnership Management
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders Governments, civil society and private sectors, experts, and others in line with UNDP Strategy and polices.
• Risk Management
  • Ability to identify and organize action around mitigation and proactively managing the risk.

Minimum Qualifications of the Successful IPSA

Minimum Academic Education:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering or relevant related field is required; 

OR

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in relevant field in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional licensure in areas of structural engineering can be an added advantage.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

• Minimum 5 years (with master’s degree) or 7 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible relevant experience at the national or international level in civil engineering or relevant related field is required.

Required skills:

• Experience in the use of computers, office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and web-based management systems, and advanced knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages;
• Work experience from a developing country is required.

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

• Experience working in or directly with relevant Ministries of related fields is an asset; 
• Knowledge of procurement, tendering and contracting regulations, requirements of international organizations is desirable;
• Background of UNDP procurement procedures highly desirable;
• Having qualifications and experience with Water Supply and Sanitation sector is an asset;
• Strong working knowledge of health/development programmes is an advantage.

Required Language(s) (at working level):

• Fluency in English is required;
• Portuguese as a working language will be an asset.

Disclaimer

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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.

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