Civil Engineer - Mutare (NPSA10)

Background and Organizational Context

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP has continued to partner with the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GF) in responding to and accelerating progress towards ending the three epidemics. In Zimbabwe, UNDP is the Principal Recipient (PR) of the Implementation of IP3 for the HIV grant and is also providing Support Services (FA) to the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) as the continuing PR for the TB and Malaria grants. UNDP-GF partnership under the IP3 cycle (2021-2023) aims to contribute towards the achievement of the vision and goals of Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan, 2021-2025,

For effective implementation of the Global Fund program, UNDP Zimbabwe has established a Program Management Unit (PMU) that coordinates the implementation of the grants and also provides general guidance of Global Fund and UNDP policies and procedures to all Sub Recipients participating in the implementation of the projects. The PMU is responsible for the day-today overall programme management, financial accountability, procurement of goods & services as well as Monitoring and Evaluation. As part of the health systems strengthening, the PMU is currently implementing several infrastructure projects.

The health infrastructure in Zimbabwe has deteriorated tremendously over the years due to the harsh economic operating environment. In view of this and the need to cope with the increased demand for services the Global Fund has provided grants to support the country to strengthen heath systems in Zimbabwe.

Given that the Global Fund HIV grant is implementing several infrastructure/civil works projects and provision of key equipment, the office now requires the services of a Civil Engineer to lead, guide and monitor the implementation of all infrastructure and engineering related tasks.

Scope of Work

The main general responsibilities of the Civil Engineer shall be as follows:

Provide technical support and oversight related to area of expertise at the different stages of construction projects

Provide technical assistance to UNDP construction projects in terms of civil engineering requirements at contracting, implementation, supervision and monitoring stages;
Advise on the national legal requirements and procedures, international standards applicable to various buildings/facilities;
Coordinate the preparation and approval of Technical Drawings for construction projects approved for construction;
Coordinate the approval of Technical Drawings by the responsible authorities and the filing of the same.

Provide supervision and oversight on UNDP Contractors in the relevant area of expertise

Ensure that there is effective supervision, monitoring, implementation and certification of the projects to ensure that the projects are completed to the right quality and standard as per UNDP guidelines;
Ensure that there are effective quality control measures in place for the implementation and monitoring of the projects and that the contractors comply with all architectural specifications and UNDP requirements;
Monitor contractor presence on the project site, measuring and assessing the work accomplishment as per the scope of work, Bill of Quantities (BOQ) and signed contract. Coordinate the training of the end users of the infrastructure and ensure simplified preventive user manuals are in place;
Supervise, monitor and evaluate the performance of contractors working on various work packages by measuring, assessing and appraising the works in terms of design requirements.

Provide technical support and technical input to the Construction procurement process

Ensure that all the technical inputs and cost estimates of construction projects and budgets are accurate and provided in a timely manner. Develop specifications/TORs for projects that require the input of the Civil Engineer;
Arrange site visits for assessments, site handover site meetings and stage certifications as and when required;
Support the PSM in all tender processes for the procurement of contractors and professional consultancy services including development of TORs, participating in evaluation and responding to bidder and procurement approving authority queries.

Provide Project Management support to ensure that construction projects are delivered effectively and efficiently

Identify and manage risks and ensure that timely corrective actions are undertaken to ensure maximum benefit to the client and other stakeholders;
Measurement and Certification of works done for construction works, certify disbursement of funds for construction tasks, monitor and submit financial status of projects to the senior management. Take responsibility for the overall progress of the projects and prudent management of resources in each of the Work Packages assigned;
Coordinate certification by Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and handover of completed sites to beneficiaries;
Monitor the construction budget to ensure that any variations do not exceed the budget allowed in the contract;
Work with all relevant stakeholders including but not limited to MOHCC, Ministry of Local Government and Public Works (MoLGPW), Rural District Councils, Municipal Authorities, City Authorities, World Food Programme (WFP), National AIDS Council (NAC), MCAZ, and NatPharm to ensure that all projects are delivered in time and are in compliance with national regulations and rules.

Ensures facilitation of knowledge building and knowledge sharing in the CO focusing on achievement of the following results:

Organization of trainings for the operations/ projects staff in programme;
Synthesis of lessons learnt and best practices in programme;
Sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice.

Institutional Arrangement

In terms of the project governance, the client is the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Funding is from the Global Fund through UNDP Zimbabwe as the Principal Recipient (PR). Other actors are the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, and the Local Authorities and City Councils. Under the guidance and supervision of the Programme Officer, the Civil Engineer will act as a technical advisor in all aspects of the procurement of civil works and construction implementation for the Global Fund grants in Mutare.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Results: Level 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact;
Think Innovatively: Level 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems;
Learn Continuously: Level 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences;
Adapt with Agility: Level 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands;
Act with Determination: Level 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results;
Engage and Partner: Level 3 Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration;
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: Level 3 Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

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;
Partnerships 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;
Contract Management: Knowledge of contract management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations;
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;
Risk Management: Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks;
Project Management: Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in Civil engineering or related field is required.
Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.

Experience

Minimum 5 years (Master’s degree) or 7 years (Bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience;
Experience from similar assignments (as supervising engineer, site engineer, resident engineer, construction projects superintendent, construction engineering consultant, construction contract manager);
Knowledge of national regulations regarding management of construction projects is required;
Ability to successfully perform field/site supervision duties, desk reviews and analysis with strong report writing abilities;
Excellent analytical skills and sectoral expertise relevant to civil engineering and construction issues;
Some experience in the UN system organizations and knowledge of UN procedures for tendering and managing construction contracts is considered an asset;
Experience working with projects in developing country context is desirable;
Membership of a professional body will be an added advantage;
Demonstrated knowledge of national regulations regarding management of construction projects is required;
Communication skills in a complex multi-stakeholder environment in construction projects.

Language

Fluency in written and spoken English.
Basic working knowledge of either Shona or Ndebele will be an advantage.

Professional Certificates

Registration Certificate with Engineering Council of Zimbabwe or similar organization compliance with local statutory regulations is required;
AutoCAD certification is desirable.