Civil Engineer

Operational/office context information In December 2021, the World Bank approved the US$50 million Yemen Emergency Lifeline Connectivity Project (YELCP) with objectives to provide climate resilient road access and employment and entrepreneurship opportunities to food insecure rural population of Yemen. YELCP will be implemented through the United Nations Office for Project Services (Our client) in partnership with the Rural Access Program (RAP) as a local implementation partner. The financing instrument of the project is Investment Project Financing with an operational life of three years and eleven months. The last twelve (12) months are set aside for management to carry out the Defects Notification Period (DNP). The Project will finance the rehabilitation of lifeline rural access roads in selected areas in Yemen to contribute toward addressing road access to food and other humanitarian needs, and unemployment, whilst laying the foundation to (i) build resilience to climate change induced vulnerabilities, (ii) reduce gender gaps, and (iii) build the capacities of RAP and RMF through a dedicated capacity building program. The Project has four components as follows: 

Component 1: Rural and Village Access Roads Improvement and Maintenance Sub-Component 1.A: Rehabilitation of Lifeline Rural Access Roads Sub-Component 1.B: Employment-Intensive Road Maintenance Component 2: Strengthening Management Capacity of Transport Sector Public Institutions Component 3: Project Implementation and Monitoring Support, Studies and Preparatory Activities Component 4. Contingent Emergency Response 

The project will be implemented in Yemen during the conflict, and as it involves rehabilitation of lifeline corridors and rural access roads, numerous risks are considered. The project's implementation strategy will thus carefully balance a series of significant considerations, guided by informed contextual analysis and local political economy dynamics. The programming will be conflict-sensitive in every step. The overall risk to the achievement of the Project’s development objectives is ’High’ as the Project will be implemented in a challenging conflict context. Besides its long experience working in FCV context globally, our client has a strong presence in Yemen and the capacity to reach out to the most affected beneficiaries. With years of experience working in Yemen, Our client has demonstrated strong capacity and readiness to implement investment projects in extremely challenging circumstances. Our client has preparedness and mobilization mechanisms in place, which enable optimal emergency procurement, and is well informed about the market response locally and internationally. 

Our client will implement the Project through its Yemen Country Office in Sana’a and the Operational Hub in Amman. A dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) will be established to provide support in project management, technical aspects, procurement, financial management and financial sector aspects, communications, (M&E), social and environmental issues, logistics, administration, information technology (IT), and security will be handled by the Sana’a Office with close support on a day-to-day basis from Amman. Our client global staff will be drawn in on a need basis. Project oversight will come from our client Regional Office and Operational Hub in Amman, as well as our client headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark 

Our client is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, our client provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, our client offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, our client makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments. 

Diversity 

With over 4,000 our client personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of our client partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates. 

Functional Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Roads Specialist shall provide professional technical, operational and administrative assistance throughout the process of maintenance and rehabilitation of rural roads. Using a mix of theoretical and practical technical skills in researching, collecting, analysing and presenting project information while learning organizational rules, regulations and procedures to support the development, implementation and monitoring of the rural roads support output results of the project. 

Specific responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to; 

1- Stakeholder Management: 

●   Prepare technical reports and inputs for project preparation and documentation, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and relevance of information. 

●   Assist in the development/establishment of roads transport support sector -related outcome and output results, as well as related strategies, through analysis of roads transport sector needs and priorities. 

●   Prepare required documentations/materials to facilitate review and approval processes. 

2- Project coordination, monitoring and reporting 

●   Work collaboratively with internal and external colleagues and partners to collect/analyze/ share information on implementation issues, suggest solutions on routine project implementation and alert appropriate officials and stakeholders for higher-level interventions and/or decisions. 

●   Monitor and report on the use of sectoral project resources (administrative and other assets), verify compliance with approved allocations based on regulations/procedures and donor commitments with standards of accountability and integrity. 

 ●   Report on issues identified to enable timely resolution by management/stakeholders. 

 ●   Follow up on unresolved issues to ensure proper resolution. 

●   Monitor the implementation of the works by conducting site visits and provide guidance for improvement and good results. 

●   Weekly meeting with the Technical team on the progress and completion of works according to project requirements.

●   Submission of monthly progress reports.

●   Technical documentation should be according to World Bank and our client standards 

3- Technical and operational support for Project implementation 

●   Coordinate with RAP and prepare a full technical document package with design of road and structures (culverts, retaining wall and drain).

 ●   Review/Estimate the road and structures quantity and prepare the Bill of quantity and estimation. ● Review the contractor road structure design to ensure adherence to International Road Standards and Ministry of Public Works and Highways standards. 

 ●   Ensure road and culvert designs are completed to the highest standards. 

●   The preparation of BoQs and technical documentation in accordance with World Bank standard   and our client standard 

●   Responsible for support or submission of the technical designs for design review by our client /IPMG. ● Responsible for the accuracy of calculations, designs and any other relevant data / information, and be available to respond to the queries of our client Infrastructure Management Group (IMPG) design review team. 

●   Undertake field visits and surveys, collect and share reports with partners/stakeholders. Report critical issues, bottlenecks and potential problems to the supervisor, for timely action. 

●   Ensure that the quality of the contractor's work is compliant with the design and specification requirement. 

●   Assist the QA/QC and site engineer with monitoring the work of the contractor. 

 ●   Review QA/QC site visit and materials testing reports to ensure sampling, testing and inspection of materials are carried out regularly and works are implemented in compliance with design specifications. 

●   Provide technical and operational support to national counterparts, NGO partners, Logistics cluster, UN partners and other partners/donors on the application and understanding of our client policies, strategies, processes and best practices in urban roads transport to support Project implementation. 

To Project Manager 

Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.  

Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion 

Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role)  

Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.  

Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. 

Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving

Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground

An advanced university degree (master degree) in civil engineering, Highway/road/transport engineering or other relevant field is required. A first level university degree in Civil engineering or relevant field with additional two years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

●   Additional relevant postgraduate degrees and courses are strong assets;

●   At least 5 years of progressive experience required in roads construction and maintenance as a senior engineers or equivalent capacity in preparing detailed and preliminary designs of roads projects in Yemen is required;

●   Previous experience with UN/ international organizations is an asset;

●   Experience in handling World Bank funded projects in Yemen is desired

●   Practical management and technical experience in roads projects.

●   Good knowledge in Geotechnical/ Materials Engineering in roadway works is highly desirable; 

●   Willingness to travel regularly (outside and inside Yemen) is required;

●   Willingness to scale up to cope with the required tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management;

●  Excellent knowledge of English and Arab language is required;

●   Ability to work under pressure and work with culturally diverse team of local and international members;

●   Experience with donors in the field of roads transport projects is highly desirable.