Associate Civil Engineer (Quantity Surveyor/Cost Estimator)

Background Information - Job-specific

Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO)

The Austria Multi-Country Office (AUMCO) is part of the UNOPS Europe and Central Asia Region (ECR). Specifically, AUMCO aims to enable the achievement of Agenda 2030 and the Paris Agreement through global programmes and tailored interventions in the Balkans, South Caucasus, and Central Asia, focused on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management (full service, back on track), HR and Transactional Services, Grants Management and Technical and Advisory Services.

Uzbekistan Office

Under the purview of AUMCO, the UNOPS Uzbekistan Office, established in Tashkent in October 2022 supports the Government of Uzbekistan’s development efforts in the country, through the provision of effective project management, infrastructure and procurement services. At present, the office has signed and has been implementing three engagements contributing to SGD3 (Good Health and Wellbeing), while actively working with the Government of Uzbekistan and development partners in diversifying its portfolio in line with the country’s development priorities including education.

Project Information

The UNOPS Uzbekistan Project Office currently has three ongoing projects both of which are major contributions to SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing).

The first project, “Support to Development of Oncology Services in Uzbekistan” is funded through a major loan from the Islamic Development Bank. UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan in strengthening the preparedness of its national healthcare system and preventing and treating oncological cases in an effective and timely manner. By identifying, procuring, delivering, and operationalizing urgently needed medical, laboratory, radiological, and ICT equipment, the project will significantly contribute to improved access and quality healthcare services for local communities in 14 regional locations including Tashkent and throughout the country.

The second project, “Uzbekistan COVID-19 Emergency Response Project” with the Republic of Uzbekistan's Sanitary and Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Service (SES) is funded through two major loans from the Asian Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. In this project, UNOPS will support the Government of Uzbekistan to upgrade up to 38 existing laboratories and treatment facilities across the country, procure diagnostic equipment and supplies, and establish an ICT system for monitoring the epidemiological situation to strengthen preparedness and resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics.

Under the project “Improving Healthcare in Kashkadarya Region: Delivering Infrastructure Design for New Hospitals in Karshi and Beshkent Cities” signed with the Government of Uzbekistan, UNOPS is responsible for the management of the project and delivery of the infrastructure design of two new hospitals in the Kashkadarya Region, Uzbekistan. The design of two new hospitals is a step towards the Government’s ambitious healthcare reform agenda, aimed at providing improved access to quality healthcare to the people of Uzbekistan. The project is close to the construction phase and aligned with the government’s priorities under its far-reaching reform agenda with an overall objective for Uzbekistan to improve the health of the whole population through universal health coverage. *** Only nationals of Uzbekistan or persons in Uzbekistan with residence and work permit are eligible for this position***

***UNOPS Uzbekistan is building a diverse team and is dedicated to establishing gender balance. We encourage all qualified female candidates with relevant experience or skill to apply***
Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Associate Civil Engineer and the overall guidance from the Senior Project Manager, in close coordination with other project staff, will provide quantity surveying expertise to the project in taking off quantities, preparing cost estimates, drafting contracts, managing the administration of contracts, and managing contractor payment process, in accordance with UNOPS guidelines and procedures and other applicable national and international standards. Specific responsibilities and duties include, but not limited to:

1. Construction management

Assist the Senior Associate Civil Engineer in the planning and coordination of Works activities;

Assist in the monitoring and measuring of the Works progress through the agreed Bill of Quantities (BoQ) as per the contract. Communicate and report potential delays and/or cost overruns;

Support the development of UNOPS Engineers Estimates for design and construction works at different stages;

Assist the reviewing the BoQs and accuracy of the rates of the Engineer’s Estimate submitted by consultants and providing input to the Project Managers as required;

Assist the Senior Associate Civil Engineer in checking and ensuring compliance of the BoQ to UNOPS rules and regulations and the Uzbekistan national rules and regulations as requested;

Assist in checking the accuracy of valuations of contractors’ payments;

Assist in evaluating and preparing the rates for the additional Works and Variation requests ordered;

Participating in progress review and project coordination meetings;

2. Development of technical documentation

Support in the Taking-off and calculation of quantities from Architectural, Civil & Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical drawings and details;

Supporting in the preparation of valuations for contractors’ payments;

Support in the preparation of valuations of Variations as required for ongoing infrastructure projects;

Assist in preparing preliminary and detailed cost estimates;

Supporting in drafting specifications and requirements as required;

Collaborate with other Engineers to collect and maintain construction cost data;

4. Reporting

Collecting data and preparing monthly and quarterly progress reports;

Participating in progress review and project coordination meetings, preparing minutes of the meetings;

Supporting knowledge management within the unit and reporting on related capacity building activities;

5. Knowledge sharing and management

Contribute to the project evaluation process; highlight challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle;

Providing training and knowledge transfer to national/contractor personnel including advice on good quantity surveying, construction and engineering practices, environmental management practices, and appropriate health and safety standards during construction;

Contribute to the dissemination and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge building;

Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice, actively interact with other Engineers and the Engineering community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System;

Provide feedback to Practice Leads on policy, supporting guidance with an aim towards continuous improvement of UNOPS policies.

Impact of results The effective and successful achievement of results by the Associate Civil Engineer (Quantity Surveyor/Cost Estimator) directly impacts the successful delivery of the project on time, budget and quality above the expectations of all stakeholders. This consequently reinforces the visibility and image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in project services and management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education

Secondary school (High School or equivalent) with a minimum of six (6) years of relevant experience is required.

A first level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Quantity Surveying and Cost Estimation, Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building or other related Construction Management field is not required, but may substitute for some years of relevant experience. Work experience

With a high school diploma, 6 years of relevant experience are required. Relevant experience is defined as experience related to quantity surveying, cost estimating, project engineering and building construction management.

Knowledge of ABC or TNQurilish software or an alternative common in the country is mandatory.

Knowledge of cost estimation and quantity surveying norms and standards of The Republic of Uzbekistan is mandatory.

Knowledge of CAD software (AutoCAD or an alternative) would be an asset.

Experience in the UN system organizations is desirable. Languages

Working knowledge of English is required.

Fluency in either Uzbek or Russian is required. Fluency in both is an asset.

Contract type: ICA
Contract level: L-ICA-6 (ICS-6)
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information

Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.

We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.

For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.

All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.