Country-Specific Information

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need.

The Infrastructure for Basic Human Needs in Afghanistan (IBN) project is an initiative aimed at promoting social and economic development at the local level within Herat province, an area significantly affected by a series of earthquakes in October 2023. This project is committed to the construction and rehabilitation of critical community infrastructure, prioritizing aspects such as safety, earthquake resilience, and adherence to the “building back better” philosophy, all while maintaining respect for the local cultural context. Additionally, the project contemplates employing the “Cash for Work” implementation modality as a strategic measure to revitalize livelihoods and stimulate economic activity in the region.

Job-Specific Information

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Project Manager, the Senior Construction Management Engineer – (Vertical and horizontal Infrastructure) will be responsible for leading the team of engineers, participate to the discussions on overall strategy, interaction with stakeholders in order to be informed about the context and technicalities/needs for reconstruction or development type of interventions, work out technically feasible strategies and subprojects, and implement them in terms of delivering on-site construction activities under the project (including assessments, design in house or through third party firms, implementation of constructions works). Engineering team will be embedded in a larger project team that includes procurmeent, social mobilisers, Social Engineering, Logistic and other usual functions.

2. Functional Responsibilities

• Leading a team of national engineers, architects and quantity surveyors to ensure effective participation of the team in the delivery of overall strategy for the post disaster (or development assessment, design and building construction and refurbishment projects, form assessment to handover inclusion design management and support to the procurement team in the procurement phase.
• Lead the technical component of the strategy and approach to reconstruction or development initiatives, in participation with the team members, other projects colleagues, UN agencies and other stakeholders
• Delivering on-site building construction and refurbishment works under the project ensuring quality of work exceeding specification requirements, meeting time and cost targets specified and maintaining high level of satisfaction of all stakeholders concerned.
• Checking drawings, specifications and other design and construction documentation to ensure accuracy and constructability, identify potential design and construction issues at early stages well before they occur, and provide advice to the team on effectively resolving them.

• Working with the contractors and their staff on a daily basis to ensure delivery is maintained at the required level to meet project quality, time and cost targets.
• Working with the Health, Safety, Social and Environmental (HSSE) Officer and other team members, ensure the HSSE aspects are effectively managed to meet project HSSE targets.
• Organise regular site meetings, chair the meetings, discuss the issues, provide efficient and effective solutions to issues, prepare minutes of meetings and submit to the PM for approval.
• Oversee the site progress reports prepared by team members, guide them on better reporting, ensure useful reports are produced meeting AFOC report quality requirements, and submit them on a regular basis to the PM.
• Taking into consideration the difficulties encountered in working in an environment such as Kabul, Afghanistan, ensure effective relationships are maintained with all stakeholders at all times.
• Working with the QA/QC Engineer, ensure the site works are delivered to the highest possible quality standards, setting a good example for other UNOPS projects. Ensure high level of satisfaction of stakeholders on quality of work.
• Manage the process of design changes where required, obtain necessary approvals and implement them to ensure minimum disturbance to site work.
• Proactively manage contractor variations following acceptable procedures, negotiate with the contractor to ensure value for money for the Client, implement variations and systematically record them.
• Manage and certify contractor payments and submit them to the PM for approval. Maintain accurate payment records for all contracts at all times.
• Resolve on-site and off-site contractual disputes with contractors amicably to minimize the need for escalating issues to higher management.
• Provide regular updates and communication with contractors, the PM, Government stakeholders, other team members and UNOPS Procurement, Human Resources, QA/QC and Project Management Office (PMO).
• Ensure that the contractors fully understand and implement the provisions of UNOPS policies and requirements in all aspects including HSSE and Gender.
• Capacity building of UNOPS local project staff, interns and Contractor’s staff where necessary to ensure knowledge and skills are imparted to them to deliver the project more effectively and efficiently and to help them build their careers in the future.
• Thoroughly understand and apply instructions and guidance from applicable norms and standards including the UNOPS Design Planning Manual, International Building Code (IBC) and applicable international and national codes, standards and specifications.

Education

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Master) in Civil Engineering, Construction, or Architecture or other related field is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in the abovementioned fields in combination with two (2) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• PRINCE2® Foundation is desirable.

Experience

• Experience delivering vertical and horizontal infrastructure construction projects in a development or post-conflict or post-disaster environment is essential.
• Minimum 7 years leading, managing and overseeing horizontal and or vertical infrastructure project design and implementation teams and construction contractors.
• Experience in multiple cultures/locations (capacity to adapt to other cultures) is necessary.
• Within the required 7 years:
• – A minimum 4 years managing team of engineering and or construction related employees is required
• – A minimum 4 years of similar experience in developing countries especially central Asia is desirable
• – Two years’ experience liaising with donors, local counterparts and beneficiaries, working in international aid funded projects is an desirable
• Close familiarity with construction industry standard forms of contract such as FIDIC and design standards is required.
• Previous experience managing building construction projects in Afghanistan is desirable.

Language Skills

• Fluency in English is required.

Contract level: IICA3
Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – 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

• 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.
• 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.