The Philippines is considered one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Due to its geographical location, both along the typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, the country ranks among the top 10 countries most vulnerable to climate-induced geohazards. With the climate and disaster risks and vulnerabilities of the country, there is an urgent need for timely, well-planned, gender-sensitive inclusive intervention.

The UNDP Philippines Country Office (CO) is implementing its Managing Recovery from Disasters in the Philippines Project Initiation Plan (MRDP PIP) which allows it to deliver high-impact recovery and resilience strategies and activities in the context of a climate change-induced new normal. The project aims to strengthen the capacity of the Philippine government, both at the national and local levels, and partner communities in facilitating the timely and sustainable recovery of affected families devastated by disasters.

The MRDP PIP will strengthen the disaster recovery capabilities of UNDP CO, other institutions, LGUs, and communities through efficient disaster response and an integrated early recovery system that includes funding mechanisms to implement sustainable recovery processes and enhance disaster management through active, inclusive, and collective participation of communities in recovery and resilience planning through adaptive learning. Thus, it is anticipated that the principle of “Build Back Better” through sustainable development pathways will be carried out through the proposed interventions.

UNDP is committed in assisting in the long-term recovery of affected communities in Talibon, Bohol. The partnership with these communities started in 2022, however, there are still much work left to achieve proper recovery and building long-term resilience.

UNDP is assisting the beneficiaries of the climate-resilient shelters in Talibon, Bohol to provide them with permanent shelters and community sustainable gardens and nursery for their food sources or livelihood.

To deliver the planned assistance, a Project Engineer under the Climate Action Programme Team (CAPT) will be engaged to closely monitor the progress of the climate-resilient shelters.

The Project Engineer has the below key functions and expected results. He/she will be directly responsible for the successful completion of the below set of tasks within the project timeline:

The Project Engineer’s main task shall be to regularly supervise the climate-resilient shelter construction activities in Talibon, Bohol. S/He shall ensure works are supervised and monitored. S/He provides technical inputs in the formulation of construction implementation strategies and approaches to attain the intended results of the project. The Project Engineer ensures that the works are carried out in accordance with the contract documents, consistent with internationally and locally accepted engineering standards and practices.

• Support UNDP in the supervision of contractors, including but not limited to, construction contractors and other suppliers of goods and/or services;
• Schedule and conduct progress meetings at which Contractor/s can discuss jointly such matters as procedures, progress, problems and programming, record and distribute minutes reflecting decisions on issues raised and keep UNDP informed on critical matters orally and in writing.
• Provide regular monitoring of the project as construction progresses.
• Identify potential variations between project and probable completion dates and submit monthly updates of the estimated project budget based on the site data.
• Review the schedule for work not started or incomplete and recommend to UNDP and contractor adjustments in the schedule to meet the probable completion date.
• Provide summary reports of each monitoring and document all changes in schedule.
• Determine the adequacy of the contractor’s personnel and equipment and the availability of materials and supplies to meet the program.
• Recommend courses of action to UNDP when requirements of a contract are not being met.
• Maintain cost accounting records on authorized work performed under day works, actual costs for labor and material, and any other costs requiring accounting records.
• Observe the work performed by the contractor to ensure compliance with the drawings, specifications, contract documents, and acceptable engineering practices. Act, as appropriate, to urge the Contractor to carry out acceptable corrective measures where and when required.
• Liaise with UNDP, and other relevant authorities and counterparts.
• Testing and approving construction materials and equipment before being used in the work.
• Direct the contractor to provide representative samples of materials to be utilized in the works and where required, submit them to the designated Laboratory to test for compliance with quality standards and technical specifications.
• Observe tests and notify UNDP and the contractor in writing of acceptance or rejection of materials or equipment tested. When appropriate, direct the contractor to take necessary action to remove, replace, or correct work that does not comply with the contract documents and withhold payments for such work until the appropriate corrective actions are taken and the work is completed to the consultant’s satisfaction.
• Conduct regular measurements of quantities of work performed by the Contractor.
• The formal and substantial supervision of the invoices (for interim and final invoices) of the contractor and check the appropriateness of the works completed and to be accounted for.
• Maintain comprehensive construction progress photo albums. Photos shall be shot by the Contractor on a regular monthly basis or shorter intervals as deemed prudent. Each photo shall be identified as to location, activity/subject matter, date, time, and photographer.
• Perform final inspections of each work component for compliance and prepare a list of outstanding works prior to taking over.
• Witness all final performance tests and prepare completion certificates and acceptance documents for all completed works.
• Inspecting and supervising construction of all works and installations to ensure compliance with documents and drawings.
• Receive, review, and ultimately approve the following specific submittals: shop drawings, operating and maintenance manuals, safety program and procedures, startup procedures, instructions, schedules, guarantees, bonds, and certificates of inspection, which the contractor will provide in accordance with the contract documents.
• Review and approve proposed installation and commissioning procedures.
• Coordinate and inspect the work of individual sub-contractors.
• Maintain job diaries, drawing register, and other records.

The Project Engineer drafts appropriate guidelines and selection criteria for engaging construction firms, consultants, CSOs, and other service providers in implementing climate-resilient shelter infrastructure activities. S/he ensures that proposals relative to climate-resilient shelter infrastructure development are properly evaluated and makes recommendations to management for consideration/deliberation and approval.

Coordinates with the Project Manager and relevant project staff in preparing detailed engineering design, procurement plan and other work plans to achieve climate-resilient shelter infrastructure results and establish complementarity with other project interventions. These services shall also include some duties normally performed by UNDP field staff, which includes the establishment and maintenance of contacts with counterparts and other stakeholders, liaisons, coordination, and similar activities.

• Support in any government-related licensing required for the climate-resilient shelters.
• Maintain project construction records and issue correspondence, certificates, notices, and instructions on behalf of UNDP to the contractor as may be required by the provisions of the construction contract documents.
• Review and certify Contractor’s progress payment requests, and accompanying support backup data and schedules.
• Verify amounts due to the Contractor based on the on-site observations and Contract requirements.
• Certify, in writing, to UNDP payments to be made to the Contractor with all required support documentation, including progress reports, photographs, and so forth.
• Withhold payment for rejected work or work that is not in compliance with the contract documents.
• Issue certification of substantial completion on completed construction contracts. Review and certify the request for final payment submitted by the contractor at the completion of construction under contract. Review the calculations for the final payment due to the contractor, accounting for all guarantees and retainage in accordance with the actual work performed following the conclusion of such, although the UNDP-Consultant contract would have physically expired.
• Identify any Change/Variation Order as being issued under one of the following categories:
  • Variations which alter, amend, or delete items contained in the Contract and which variation does not alter the Scope of the Works and is not charged against contingencies and which does not increase the contract value.
  • Variations which may increase the Contract value, requiring the commitment of additional funds.
• Manage all claims and activities and provide expert advice regarding the handling of the claims made.
• Provide the UNDP with cost estimates for additional works and participate as an advisor to the UNDP in contract negotiations with the contractor on additional works, and make recommendations to the UNDP on rates for new works.
• Review the construction contractor’s Critical Patch Method (CPM) construction schedule for the contract and monitor schedule compliance.
• Receive and catalog all samples, drawings, testing results, instructions, manuals, certifications, and correspondence submitted by the contractor.
• The Project Engineer guides UNDP in examining officially handed documents, supervising, and formulating opinions about the modifications and supplements proposed by the contractors. Moreover, the Project Engineer coordinates with government agencies/bodies in the identification and selection of relocation/resettlement sites.Coordinate with the end-user and other parties identified by UNDP related to the implementation of the projects; Attend meetings on behalf of UNDP, and organize technical meetings with Contractors and Consultants; Coordinate and arrange for any follow-up meetings with key stakeholders as required.
• Support in progress reporting on project Construction Work for UNDP internal use and for donors and/or partners.

Upon site handover to the contractor, the Project Engineer shall take charge and be responsible for managing, supervising, monitoring, verifying, and certifying, amongst other activities on behalf of UNDP, that will be related to the handing over of the site.

Ensures that climate-resilient shelter infrastructure interventions are carried out in accordance with the work plans and quality assurance standards, ensuring that the status of climate-resilient shelter infrastructure deliverables is regularly reviewed against targets and reported to management and concerned entities for proper action.

Monitors the implementation of climate-resilient shelter infrastructure activities, identifies gaps, issues, and risks, and assists in addressing these as necessary.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.