Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. UNOPS supports partners to build a better future by providing services that increase the efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability of peace building, humanitarian and development projects. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations.
The UNOPS Strategic Plan 2022-2025 focuses on achieving implementation with tangible impact. It provides guidance to help Member States and the Secretary-General realise sustainable development and create more peaceful, just and equitable societies.
UNOPS is a United Nations resource for services and solutions in the areas of humanitarian assistance, development and peacebuilding and security. Our mission is to help people improve their lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.
While UNOPS can scale up to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals, our activities focus on the demands of our partners and the needs of people and countries, which is why our operations seek to achieve the greatest possible impact.
UNOPS values are grounded in the Charter of the United Nations and the legislative mandates of the General Assembly. In its decision 2016/19, the Executive Board welcomed the values and raison d'รชtre of UNOPS as reflected in its purpose, vision and mission.
In the Latin America and Caribbean region, implementation, technical assistance and infrastructure management projects have been executed in several countries, including Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Lucia and Uruguay, among others, mainly with the objective of strengthening national capacities and supporting the implementation of public sector projects.
About Our Culture:
Our work contributes to building the foundations for countries and communities to achieve peace and sustainable development, guided by our values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity. UNOPS celebrates diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunities. UNOPS encourages qualified female candidates, as well as qualified candidates from groups underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce, to apply. These groups include people from racialized or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as people with disabilities.
Functional Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Lead Construction Management Engineer will provide technical services in all infrastructure activities.
1. Technical Support
Facilitate the planning and implementation of infrastructure activities
Assist the project manager with site investigations including following up topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, site assessments, reviewing the reports of the site investigation well as all work conducted by project contractors and consultants 2. General Construction
Provide technical assistant to the Senior Project Manager to monitor UNOPS implementation plan including quality, Health, Safety, Social and Environment
Supervise contractors and consultants to manage plan and coordinate daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly activities including monitoring site safety and construction quality 3. Monitoring and Progress Controls
Understand the scope of work and specification of each contractor
Support the Senior Project Manager in the implementation of quality plans for the project to ensure specified quality of work is achieved
Administer the contracts and supervise project activities to ensure all works conform with the approved design documents, specifications, and implementation schedules. 4. Reporting
Ensure accurate and timely reporting of site progress, work conditions, challenges encountered, and corrective actions taken, in coordination with relevant site personnel and contractors.
Prepare and submit to the Senior Project Manager reports of contractor activities, quality control issues, resourcing and scheduling issues, and any other pertinent information as required 5. Knowledge Sharing
Participate in project evaluation process, highlighting challenges associated with the project and feedback into a continuous improvement cycle
Provide training and knowledge transfer to national &/ or contractor personnel including advice on good construction practices, environmental management practices and appropriate health and safety standards and contribute to documentation of lessons learned.
To access the full list of roles and responsibilities, please download the terms of references attached to the announcement.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
a. Education
b. Work Experience
Minimum five (5) years of experience (or more based on academic merits) in construction management or engineering of complex infrastructure projects is required. Experience with infrastructure design and project management is required. Experience with infrastructure bidding processes is required. Experience with healthcare facilities and/or prison projects is an asset. Experience in developing countries or post-conflict environments is an asset. Experience in small island developing states (SIDS) is an asset. Experience working on infrastructure projects within the Caribbean region is an asset. Knowledge of FIDIC contracts is an asset. Autocad or other technical proficiency is an asset.
c. Language Requirements
Full knowledge of the English language is required. Fluency in Spanish is an asset. Fluency in French is an asset.
d. Additional Information
This position requires frequent field trips to inspect infrastructure project progress. This position requires the use of a computer to prepare reports and analyze data using Google tools. In this position, you will be required to give presentations via videoconference to report on project progress, as necessary. e. Cover Letter
While your resume shows your skills, experience and training, we are also eager to learn more about your interests and motivations. Therefore, we invite you to upload a cover letter along with your application for the position. Remember to share in the letter your motivation to join the UNOPS team in the advertised position, your interests and skills. Additionally we would like to know your perspective on the UN Values: Inclusion, Integrity, Humility and Humanity. For more information on the UN Values, see the UN Values and Behaviors Framework document.
Competencies
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.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) 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.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. 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. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: International Individual Contractor Agreement
Contract level: ICS 10 equivalent to IICA
Contract duration: Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance. This contract is established in the Regular Monthly Contract modality; continuous service provision is required during the contract period; the payments associated with the contract will be processed at the end of each calendar month.
Work life harmonization: UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options.
UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request. 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. 11:59 pm CST.
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.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
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.
How to apply_EN.pdf (2.5 MB)
How to send a good application_EN.pdf (549 KB)
UN Values and Behaviours.pdf (3.2 MB)