Closing date: Tuesday, 16 December 2014

CIVIL ENGINEER/ARCHITECT

Location : Bihac, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA

Application Deadline : 16-Dec-14

Type of Contract : Service Contract

Post Level : SB-4

Languages Required : English

Duration of Initial Contract : 6 moths with possibility of extension

Background

During May, 2014 heavy rains fell over Bosnia and Herzegovina, causing massive flooding in northern, eastern and central parts of the country bordering Croatia and Serbia. The floods are the worst in 120 years and have brought enormous destruction in a country that is still recovering from the consequences of the 92-95 war and where significant groups of the population suffer from chronic poverty and unemployment. The natural disaster affected a quarter of the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina and approximately one million people, which is approximately 27% of the country's population of 3.8 million. Nearly 50% of governments were hit by the floods, among them 46 suffered severe damage and destruction, where urban, industrial and rural areas were completely flooded with water, cut off and without electricity, water or communications for days. Consequently, houses, infrastructure, schools, hospitals, private facilities, farms and crops were wiped out, causing deterioration of public services, local economy and agriculture activities.

In cooperation with national and local governments, the UN, European Union and the World Bank are conducting a thorough recovery needs assessment to identify medium and long-term recovery priorities in a variety of sectors. The results and findings of this assessment will inform the design of relevant interventions to address the consequences of the floods in an integrated and sustainable manner.

In the meanwhile, however, based on the assessment conducted with the most affected 46 local governments, the UN has identified the critical recovery demands and their financial projections for the next few months, as follows:

• Rehabilitation and reconstruction of public buildings and services, including app. 90 health and education centres, delivery of temporary power, water, sanitation services, public administrative buildings and institutions;
• Shelter and Housing, including cleaning, rehabilitation and repair;
• Debris Management and demining, incl. mine clearance/marking and solid waste/debris removal;
• Community Infrastructure: small roads & bridges, including repair and replacement;
• Water, Sanitation and Sewage, including restoring technical and potable water supply and sewage systems where possible;
• Livelihoods and Agriculture, including urban quick income projects, assistance to restore farming supply networks and small-scale production, planting and soil decontamination;

The UN/UNDP, together with other international organizations - the European Union, the World Bank, the USAID, the SDC, the Government of Norway, the Government of Sweden and others - is taking an important role in the post-flood recovery efforts in the most affected localities.

Under the direct supervision of the Recovery Coordinator, the Civil Engineer/ Architect will support the effective implementation of the programme activities in the area of responsibility, in accordance with the corresponding project documents.

Applicants are required to submit completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form (downloadable from www.ba.undp.org/content/bosnia_and_herzegovina/en/home/operations/jobs.html) online through this website.

Candidates must be nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Conducts field visits and prepares assessment of infrastructure interventions;

• Field visits to several potential locations requiring specific technical assistance and, based on performed assessment, recommend best solution (location, access, access to electricity and water, etc.) for project implementation;
• Preparation of Terms of References (ToR) for detailed design for reconstruction/ rehabilitation of structures where needed;

2. Reviews and assesses technical design documents for infrastructure interventions:

• Review of technical documentation (existing and future lay out, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) with estimation of costs, technical description, design and specific drawings, participate in the evaluation of bids process) for specific projects. If required, technical description and documentation shall adopt to the energy efficiency requirements to the extent possible, as well use of renewable energy sources, such as:
• Thermal insulation of the building envelope;
• Thermal insulation of the roof and joinery
• Energy efficient lighting system (if possible LED lighting);
• Environmentally optimized heating system;
• Review of technical drawings, specifications and Bill of Quantities,

3. Provides effective support throughout all stages of tendering processes:

• Provide technical assistance in establishment of common grounds for minimum standards requirements for the implementation of specific (re)construction tasks as required by the specific project;
• Develop technical project and tender documentation (ToR, tender dossier, tender evaluation, etc.) for the implementation of specific (re)construction tasks as required by the specific project and specified by the Programme/Project;
• Ensure that necessary supporting documentation is in place prior to issuance of tender;
• Participate in evaluation of bids and selection of best bidder to the tender for (re)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;
• Analyze measures, quantities and description of each item in the offers against the advertised BoQ;
• Analyze and review the offered unit rates against the cost estimate in correlation with BoQs, provided by a design company, and to assess whether they are realistic;
• Provide written report about the compliance of the evaluation process with UNDP procurement procedures;

4. Monitors and supervises construction works:

• Perform number of monitoring field/on-site visits, upon engagement of a Construction Company for the provision of re/construction activities for the specific required projects (introduction of construction companies to the site, visit on 80% of completion and final reception) during the specific assignment;
• Ensure that technical documentation on construction site is maintained in accordance with relevant national laws and standards and contract for works
• Sign off the final handover documentation upon completion of all (re)construction works in each project;

5. Provides general office support:

• Assist in the management of logistical support to the programme
• Prepare and maintain status reports for projects under implementation and for completed projects.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Advocacy/Advancing A Policy-Oriented Agenda

Preparing information for advocacy

• Identifies and communicates relevant information for a variety of audiences for advocating UNDP's mandate.

Results-Based Programme Development and Management

Contributes into results through primary research and analysis

• Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
• Researches linkages across project activities to identify critical points of integration
• Monitors specific stages of projects implementation
• Analyzes country situation to identify opportunities for project development
• Participates in the formulation of project proposals and ensures substantive rigor in the design and application of proven successful approaches and drafts proposals accordingly.

Building Strategic Partnerships

Maintaining a network of contacts

• Maintains an established network of contacts for general information sharing and to remain up-to-date on partnership related issues
• Analyzes and selects materials for strengthening strategic alliances with partners and stakeholders.

Innovation and Marketing New Approaches

Enhancing processes or products

• Generates new ideas and proposes new, more effective ways of doing things
• Documents and analyses innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

Fundamental knowledge of own discipline

• Understands and applies fundamental concepts and principles of a professional discipline or technical specialty relating to the position
• Possesses basic knowledge of organizational policies and procedures relating to the position and applies them consistently in work tasks
• Strives to keep job knowledge up-to-date through self-directed study and other means of learning
• Demonstrates good knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments

Client Orientation

Establishing effective client relationships

• Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion;
• Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines;
• Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly

Core Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, disabilities, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment
• Self-development, initiative-taking
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Managing conflict
• Informed and transparent decision making
• Possesses strong ICT skills.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each employee.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• BSc in civil engineering or architecture from a recognized university. Master's degree would be an asset;

Experience

• Professional licensure in areas of transportation, hydro-technical or high-rise structures would be an asset;
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in the relevant field of civil engineering, especially in preparation of construction technical documentation;
• Experience in working in complex environments and large infrastructure and/or civil works, particularly in the field of construction technical project documentation development as well as construction supervision;
• Experience in supervising medium to large-scale construction works in the public sector;
• Experience in technical design of either high rise buildings, water supply and sanitation or road structures is an asset;
• Good knowledge and understanding of the Entities' Spatial Planning and Construction Acts, by-laws regulating the construction of similar public facilities, technical regulations, general and special technical conditions and professional codes;
• Experience on similar projects with focus on specific area (environmental protection, human development, rural and regional development, etc.);
• Knowledge of BiH regulations and requirements on procurement, tendering and contracting;
• Working experience within the area of preparation, implementation and monitoring of technical/(re)construction projects; methodological and calculation skills;
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of environment, climate change and Energy Efficiency (EE) issues and their importance in the regional and local context to be able to take into consideration EE standards as much as possible as well as introduction of use of renewable energy sources as part of preparation of specific technical documentation;
• Excellent and proven experience in dealing with contractors and local partners;
• Knowledge of the UNDP and EC rules, procedures and regulations would be a definite asset

Language Requirements

• Working knowledge and ability to write in both English and the languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Other requirements

• Valid driving license;

UNDP 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 information: http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=52305