Civil Engineer for UNDP roster, NPSA-9

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.
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.

The Government of Uzbekistan has taken significant steps towards improving the education sector through a range of initiatives. Building on its 2017-2021 Action Strategy, the Government developed an Education Sector Plan that took into account the latest laws and presidential degrees passed since 2019, all of which are captured in the latest development strategy of the New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026. The government of Uzbekistan with development partners committed to education reforms in 2023-2026 under the National Partnership Compact (2026-2026) which involved extensive consultations and engagement with stakeholders from the Government, civil society, private and education sectors. The numerous reforms in the education sector have created momentum for greater alignment and prioritization in education sector related investments.
The Compact takes into account the high-capital investment needed to reap the demographic dividend and therefore expansion of preschool and school infrastructure. Within UNDP interventions, standard model schools are planned to be designed and constructed to be future-ready, supportive of modern education, socially inclusive, gender-sensitive, energy-efficient and eco-friendly, sustainable, digitally and technologically advanced, corruption-free, and accessible for persons with disabilities, and to meet WASH, sanitation and hygiene standards.
As the initiative will be focused mainly in repair and reconstruction of education facilities, the civil engineer will be hired as part of the project team. He/she will support the effective implementation of the activities in the area of responsibility, in accordance with the corresponding action documents.

Duties and Responsibilities
Civil Engineer will work under the direct supervision of one of the UNDP Cluster Leader (Inclusive Growth, Environment and Climate Action and Effective Good Governance). Civil Engineer will ensure smooth and timely delivery of operations in accordance with annual and quarterly work plans through performing the following duties and responsibilities:
• Prepares technical documentation related to implementation of education infrastructure interventions including Preparation of Terms of References (ToR) for detailed design for repair and/or reconstruction of educational facilities where needed;
• Reviews and assesses technical design documents for infrastructure interventions and equipment, providing substantive technical inputs and quality assurance;
• Advises UNDP senior managers, programme specialist and programme manager on all technical issues and education infrastructure rehabilitation strategies and approaches;
• Assists programme manager and staff in the implementation of activities related to the construction of infrastructure projects;
• Advises programme manager and follows up preparation of technical documentation for obtaining relevant construction permits;
• Conducts field visits and prepares assessment of infrastructure interventions;
• Organizes technical team consultations and ensures that all partners participate and contribute as appropriate;
• Supervise all engineers/consultants/design companies recruited/hired by UNDP within repair and reconstruction of educational facilities;
• Ensure the criteria agreed are fully incorporated in the various activities of the project and in all civil works and constructions.
• Ensures that procurement specifications follow UNDP format;
• Provides effective support throughout all stages of tendering processes including preparation of evaluation criteria for short-listing of construction companies, provides technical advice and guidance during tendering and procurement processes;
• Provides written technical reports as required;
• Provides technical advice and synthesizes technical opinions of various experts in support of various evaluation processes;
• Undertakes regular field visits for quality assurance and monitoring of contractors during construction phase to ensure that plans are followed, and safe infrastructure is being built;
• In cooperation with the Programme/Project manager contributes in the update and maintenance of contract management module and ensure that all appropriate processes are regularly reflected and monitored;
• Prepares and maintain status reports for projects under implementation and for completed projects;
• Ensures that all design, construction and supervision work undertaken by various contractors abide to the standards and quality criteria agreed in the contractual arrangements and prepares all relevant reports;
• Monitor and supervise all design, construction and finishing phases of all the construction works;
• Monitor and supervise all design, construction and finishing phases of all external and landscaping works;
• Ensure all works and edifices abide by national and international seismic compliance and codes/ and standards;
• Ensure all works and edifices incorporate disability requirements as per national standards and international best practices;
• Ensures that technical documentation on construction site is maintained in accordance with relevant national laws and standards and contract for works;
• In cooperation with other technical experts prepares all relevant specifications for education facilities furniture and equipment;
• Ensures preparation of relevant documentation of handover files for all conducted works; operational manuals and maintenance schedule to be handed over to local governments and relevant involved authorities;
• Provides general office support as required.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the direct supervision of the programme/project manager and in close coordination with the focal points in beneficiaries’ municipalities, the Civil Engineer will be responsible for taking all required actions and ensuring timely and quality delivery of the infrastructure component of the project and supervise all design, construction and handover phases of all the construction works as well as all external and landscaping works.
Competencies

Core competencies:

Achieve Results: LEVEL 2: Scale up solutions and simplifies processes, balances speed and accuracy in doing work
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 2: Offer new ideas/open to new approaches, demonstrate systemic/integrated thinking
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 2: Go outside comfort zone, learn from others and support their learning
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 2: Adapt processes/approaches to new situations, involve others in change process
Act with Determination: LEVEL 2: Able to persevere and deal with multiple sources of pressure simultaneously
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 2: Is facilitator/integrator, bring people together, build/maintain coalitions/partnerships
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 2: Facilitate conversations to bridge differences, considers in decision making

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business direction & strategy: Strategic thinking

Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP’s objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions
Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrateforesight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.

Business Development: Knowledge Facilitation

Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally.

Business Management: 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
Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels

Agenda 2030: People: Gender

Gender and Institutional Development

Required Skills and Experience:
Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in civil engineering or related areas or related areas or Bachelor’s degree in the relevant field with additional 2 years of experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master’s degree.
Experience:

Minimum 2 years with Master’s degree or 4 years with Bachelor’s degree of proven track experience in working with community infrastructure projects, an added advantage if working on infrastructure projects of schools/education facilities.

Required skills

Proven experience in working and collaborating with governments
Demonstrates commitment to UN mission, vision and values
Self-development, initiative taking
Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork
Proven abilities in computer programmes is required;

Desired skills:

Proven experience in managing development projects is an asset;
Practical experience of working with local administrations, communities or elected authorities for planning and management of infrastructure projects;
Proven skills and field experience in participatory planning;
Proven experience in preparation and controlling of bidding documents;
Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP and/or other UN agencies is an asset.

Qualified female candidates and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.