UN House Rehabilitation Engineer at UNDP

UNDP helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the below position:

Job Title: House Rehabilitation Engineer
Location: Abuja, NIGERIA
Type of Contract: Service Contract
Post Level: SB-5
Duration of Initial Contract: Initial duration of one year

Background
On 26 August 2011, the United Nations building in Nigeria was bombed through a well orchestrated terrorist attack that resulted in the loss of lives and caused severe damage to the building infrastructure. Two integrity tests have been conducted to evaluate the extent of damage to the building and the Federal Government of Nigeria has indicated its commitment to commence the rehabilitation of the damaged UN House.

The United Nations by reason of its global mandate is providing development assistance to the Federal Government of Nigeria in accordance to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). In spite of the United Nations’ presence in the thirty-six Nigerian States and the Federal Capital Territory, its activity is centrally controlled from the UN Headquarters based in Abuja and this underscores the need for a quick implementation of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities
Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Following the bombing of UN House on 26th of August 2011 in Abuja, the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has agreed to rehabilitate the property following the outcome of structural integrity tests.

A UN House Rehabilitation Committee representing the interests of the UN Country Team has been established, to which the consultant will report. The objective of the engineer is to advise a team of engineers/contractors working on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria on best practices to be used in the rehabilitation of the UN House taken into consideration UN expectations. The consultant will provide feedback and progress on the planned Rehabilitation project to the UN House Rehabilitation Committee . The engineer would also act as an interlocutor to the Committee on matters pertaining to the design, construction and project management of this rehabilitation exercise. Specifically, the consultant would:

• Ensure that the delivery of project work plans conforms with the approved UN project brief and the standards/expectations of the UN System in terms of space requirements, security standards, universal accessibility, environmental soundness, sustainability and timelines
• Recommend to the UN House Rehabilitation Committee for approval all project stage boundaries and highlight reports as well as presentation of issue logs for consideration.
• Provide technical support to the UN House Rehabilitation Committee, vetting all engineering designs, BoQs etc. and ensuring quality and value for money
• Provide technical support/guidance to project team on the UN approach to green infrastructure and energy efficiency for the implementation of effective eco-friendly engineering designs as may be necessary
• Plan, monitor and obtain regularly, relevant information from project contractors and FCDA to guide current and future UNCT decisions with respect to the on-going rehabilitation work on the UN House
• Work with UNDSS and the FCT project team in providing technical guidance and specifications for effective security improvements and infrastructure such as blast mitigation, access control measures etc
• Consult on a regular basis with the ADS Architect based in New York who would provide technical oversight and backstopping to the consultant on all key matters pertaining to the UN House Rehabilitation project.

Special considerations need to be given to the following:

• Security – The rehabilitation process must exceed the UN Minimum Operating Security Standards with the UNDSS providing technical lead in the design and specifications of security in the project.
• Space requirement – Prior to the bomb blast, inadequate accommodation to house the growing UN staff had been a challenge. The redevelopment design must take this into consideration and also make the building more amenable to the needs of the disabled. Vertical or horizontal extension within the UN compound and within available resources would therefore be a priority.
• Accessibility (i.e. provisions for people with disabilities) – The rehabilitation of the UN House is expected to take into consideration effective access for people with disabilities as well as for the generality of the UN counterparts.
• Environmental sustainability – The consultant would also be required to provide needed assistance to the design and implementation teams to ensure that the rehabilitated UN House is environmentally friendly.
• Monitoring & Progress Controls
• The national consultant will work with the relevant national body to ensure the quality and timely delivery of the rehabilitation work. He/she will report to UN House Rehabilitation Committee on a weekly basis and respond to queries from this committee where possible pertaining, but not limited, to the following topics:
• Collaboration between the “client” (UNCT and members of the FCT FCDA team), the architect/consultant and the contractor/builder
• Ensuring conformity of the UN project brief and work plans to be implemented with the standards and expectations of the UN system
• Consideration of the input of UN technical experts and reporting to various stakeholders
• Participation in relevant technical meetings to ensure that UN inputs and vision are fully integrated into the implementation of the project
• Review and provide feedback on evaluation of the contractor’s bid to ensure value for money where possible.

Competencies
Functional Competencies:

• Good knowledge of complex infrastructure project implementation and management in Nigeria
• Excellent understanding of infrastructure frameworks and operations, and ability to interpret engineering drawings and understand BoQs;
• Excellent knowledge in M&E of infrastructural projects
• Good communication skills and a demonstrated approach to practical problem solving
• Ability to motivate and build team/work environment to support organizational goals
• Ability to work in demanding socio-cultural settings with government partners and challenging national infrastructure
• Advanced computer literacy and good knowledge of Microsoft office application
• Knowledge of UN core values, rules and regulation is an asset

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

• The engineer must have a Masters degree in Civil Engineering or Architecture, Construction Engineering or any related discipline. Must be a member of a recognized professional association and duly certified.
• 10 years works experience in physical infrastructure projects with demonstrable experience in advising national counterparts on both technical (rehabilitation, security precautions, meeting established and internationally recognized norms-for instance UK BREEAM (sustainability) or Universal Design principles (accessibility).
• Ability to speak, write and communicate in English Language is compulsory.

The UN is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Application Closing Date
4th April, 2013

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click Here To Apply Online