Engineering Associate – Civil Engineering (NPSA-6, 70% part-time)

Background

The Dual Education Enhancement project is part of the Future Ready Serbia Portfolio, directly supporting the newly established Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework. This project will be implemented in several phases. It aims to create a business environment in Serbia that propels the Serbian economy into a knowledge and innovation-based economy, based on equal opportunities, and to develop a business-need-driven future-ready workforce with competencies and skills that are quick to match the ever-changing new technologies. The Project will work towards the outcome through a set of interventions that include support to strengthening the capacities of the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework, providing linkages between the private and public sector, international outreach to link the Office to the international dual education community and promotion of dual education in Serbia. Also, as the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework has been recently established, UNDP will provide it temporary assistance by establishing a Project Implementation Unit in the Office to enable it to immediately manage the existing assistance (projects/grants/loans) until it manages to build its capacities at a regular pace. This Unit plays a fundamental role in managing ongoing assistance in various forms including but not limited to projects, grants, and loans.

As such, UNDP is seeking a Engineering Associate with civil engineering experience who will support the implementation of the loans and provide support in the implementation of the quality assurance activities related to works under the loans together with the rest of the Project team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Programme Analyst and in consultation with Dual Education Enhancement Project Coordination Analyst, the Engineering Associate has the responsibility to support infrastructure activities related to the design, supervision and quality assurance. The Engineering Associate should provide technical expertise and support assuring that the 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.

Specific responsibilities will include assistance in the implementation of activities with the aim of achieving the following project results:

• Assisting in production of infrastructure project design documentation such as pre-feasibility and feasibility study, preliminary design, main design, revision of design documentation.
• Facilitation of needs assessment process with the beneficiary, support in design of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender processes for procurement of goods and services, according to CEB, EIB, KfW, World Bank and national procurement guides, provide inputs for contracts for goods and services.
• Assisting in supervision of project design development process, coordination and supervision of construction works.
• Suggest and advise on how 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 Project Coordination Analyst.
• Support during the on-site monitoring of quality and quantities of works, costs, schedule, safety and environment issues, in full compliance with the applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, technical standards and legal requirements in the Republic of Serbia.
• Support to project management of civil works with adherent installations aimed at energy efficiency improvements, and related environmental management issues.
• Reporting on on-site monitoring.
• Provide early warning to the Project Coordination Analyst of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the works.
• Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual work plans 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 Project Coordination Analyst, as required.
• Liaising with contractors, municipalities and other partners on project matters

Institutional Arrangement

Engineering Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Programme Analyst and in cooperation with the Office for Dual Education and National Qualification Framework.

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 and Technical Competencies:

• Business Direction and Strategy – Effective Decision Making
  • Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
• Business Management – Monitoring
  • Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
• Digital & Innovation – Tech literacy
  • Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it”s used as a “”means to an end””.
• Digital & Innovation – Systems thinking & transformation
  • Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach. Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue.
• Procurement – Contract management
  • Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education.
• Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering, would be desirable but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• At least 6 years of relevant experience in construction-related project management, in particular in the fields of:
  • Construction Engineering – including structural designs engineering
  • Project management, especially project design and preparation, contracting and tendering, project supervision, and monitoring and evaluation
• Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelor’s degree, 3 years of relevant working experience would be required.

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:

• Certified user of AutoCAD
• Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems
• Knowledge of BIM would be an advantage
• Work experience in international organization and/or government institution would be an asset
• Work experience as part of the  technical assistance in development infrastracture projects financed and managed by MDBs would be an asset
• Knowledge of national legislation
• Familiarity with Law on Planning and Construction requirements
• Familiarity with the CEB, EIB, KfW and World Bank rules and regulations

Languages:

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken Serbian and English language.

Important Information

The online application form must be fully completed. Applicants are required to carefully complete their online application form and reflect all of their work experience history in the application.

Only attaching a CV is not sufficient for applicants to be considered for positions. All applicants have to complete the Experience, Education, Language, and Nationality & Permanent Residence fields fully.

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.

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.

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