Project Analyst (Engineer)

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Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP Zambia’s 2023-2027 Country Programme Document (CPD) is based on emerging opportunities and comparative advantages that maximizes partnerships, resource mobilization and impact. The CPD is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as part of the UN Development System (UNDS) Reform and the 8th National Development Plan (8NDP). UNDP’s programmatic priorities are targeted at contributing to the government and development partner efforts to address persistent development challenges that negatively affect women, youth, persons with disabilities.

Against this backdrop and building upon the lessons learnt over the past years, UNDP Zambia has strengthened its Governance and Gender Pillar to support the roll-out of the CPD and to ensure relevance in the local context. The Governance and Gender Pillar is one of three pillars of the Programme Cluster along with the Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and the Environment and Energy Units. Each Unit is headed by a Programme Specialist (Head of Unit) and supported by a Programme Analyst and a Programme Associate in addition to the dedicated personnel of projects under each pillar. 

The UNDP Governance Cluster includes a challenging mix of development interventions in support of the government which range from elections, decentralization and local governance, human rights, transparency and accountability, to promotion of gender equity and equality, including a new area focusing on business and human rights. 

The Project Analyst (Engineering) will, therefore, be part of this exciting Governance and Gender Team and will provide programme support and targeted deliverables on gender programming with a strong focus on SDGs 16 and 5 i.e., Peace Justice and Strong Institutions and Gender Equality and the UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security (UNSCR 1325).

Specifically, the Project Analyst (Engineering) will work with the Team on the implementation of the Women in Peace Operations Projects and related work on broader gender equality, including GBV supported by Development Partners such the Elsie Initiative Fund and the Government of Canada.  Further, the Project Coordinator will be the technical lead on all construction and rehabilitation works planned under the project in support of the government. The Project Analyst (Engineering) will also contribute to undertake financial management and budgeting, as well as contribute to tangible actions to mobilize resources, develop communication and knowledge products, and promote visibility of the project both locally and internationally to amplify the work being undertaken by Government, UNDP Zambia and Development Partners in the promotion of gender equality and women empowerment.

Scope of Work:

Key Results Expected:

The Project Analyst (Engineering) oversees the planning, implementation, daily supervision on site, and tracking of specific project activities which have specified deliverables and performs a wide range of duties which include the following:

I. Project implementation:

• Execute the project according to the project plan.  This will include daily supervision of work, developing forms and records to document project activities as well as setting up files to ensure that all project information is appropriately documented and secured;
• Monitor the progress of the project and adjust as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project. Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders including appropriate staff in the organization on the progress of the project;
• Review the quality of the work completed with the project team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards;
• The Project Officer shall perform standard services under the following project stages:

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT:

• Establish and co-ordinate the formal and informal communication structure, processes, and procedures for the design development of the project;
• Prepare a detailed Design and supportive documents, based on an updated Indicative Construction Programme;
• Manage, co-ordinate and integrate the design in a sequence to suit the project design and quality requirements in two sites – one after another;
• Conduct and record the appropriate planning, coordination, and management meetings;
• Facilitate any input for the design on constructability.

TENDER DOCUMENTATION AND PROCUREMENT:

• Provide support in the development of the procurement strategy for contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers;
• Ensure appropriate insurances required for the implementation of the project by the Contractor(s) are provided during the procurement stage;
• Conduct the reconciliation of the tender prices with the project budget;
• Establish the format and procedures for monitoring and control of the cost of the works;
• Facilitate the approval of the tender recommendation(s) by stakeholders.

CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTION AND MANAGEMENT:

• Review the detailed Architectural or engineering designs prior to mobilization of works;
• Manage all site instructions issued to the Contractor;
• Coordinate the handover of the site to the Contractor;
• Regularly monitor the performance of the Contractor against the Programme of Works and Method Statement;
• Report on any review and/or adjudication circumstances and entitlements that may arise from any changes required to the Contract Programme and Method Statement;
• Establish efficient procedures for quality assurance, verifying contractor performance, reporting progress and problems in a timely manner, including quality control reports and quantity survey records;
• Establish effective procedures for monitoring and controlling cost variations, including, but not limited to requests for variation or change orders, requests for time extension, and contractor’s claims and invoices;
• Monitor and certify all necessary testing and commissioning conducted by the Contractors;
• Review and manage any adjudicated contractual claims;
• Prepare fortnightly project reports;
• Monitor long lead items and off-site production by the contractors and suppliers;
• Facilitate and monitor the issuance of Works Completion Lists and the Certificate of Work Completion in two project sites.

EVALUATION AND PROJECT CLOSE OUT:

• Monitor and review the issuance of the Works Completion Certificates;
• Manage, co-ordinate and expedite the preparation of all ‘as-built’ drawings and design documentation;
• Oversee handover of all operating and maintenance manuals, warranties and guarantees;
• Manage and expedite the procurement of all statutory compliance certificates and documentation;
• Manage the finalization of the Health and Safety File for submission to the Client;
• Coordinate and manage the rectification of defects during the Defects Liability Period;
• Manage the preparation of the final account at project completion;
• Coordinate and review the issuance of the Final Completion Defects list and Certificate of Final Completion;
• Prepare and present Project Closeout Report;
• Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality and ultimately evaluate the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase.

II. Cost Management:

• Prepare and submit periodic cost reports during construction. Conduct valuations for all submitted claims by the contractor and certify payment claims. Track changes to the designs and/or construction work and adjust budget projections accordingly.

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Analyst (Engineering) will work under the direct supervision of the Governance and Gender Advisor under the guidance of the Project Coordinator in undertaking the above tasks.

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Achieve Result: 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

Ethics

• UN policy knowledge – ethics
  • Knowledge and understanding of the UN Staff Regulations and Rules and other policies relating to ethics and integrity.

Business Management

• Result based management
  • Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
• 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.
• Partnership Management
  • Ability to build and maintain partnerships with wide networks of stakeholders, Governments, civil society and private sector partners, experts and others in line with UNDP strategy and policies.
• Project Management
  • Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Partnership Management

• Multi-stakeholder engagement
  • Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

Business Direction & 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 altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

• Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in a construction related field, which may include Building Science, Civil/Structural Engineering, Architecture and Construction Management or relevant related field is required, OR;
• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university.

• Up to 2 years (with master’s degree) or minimum 2 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive work experience in engineering design, project management and implementation.

Required Skills:

• Experience in the basic use of computers and relevant office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and ability to use web-based management and electronic log, file and/or scheduling systems.

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

• Demonstrable experience in results-based management;
• At least 3 years experience on initiatives targeting women, community development;
• Experience with the United Nations or similar international organization on gender related work with demonstrable experience in results based management with a strong focus on gender equality;
• At least 3 years hands-on experience in design, monitoring and overseeing implementation of support to building national capacity for development programming and establishing inter-relationships focused on women’s empowerment;
• Relevant years of progressively responsible experience in construction management or related area;
• Project Management, Communication and Presentation Skills/experience.

Language

• Fluency in English is required.

 

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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