About the job

Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Horn of Africa Multi Country Office is recruiting for this position: Lead Quality Engineer based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

This is a local position, and is hence open to Ethiopian nationals only.

The Lead Quality Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Infrastructure Team Leader. The successful candidate will provide technical support and guidance to infrastructure project managers and their teams in the implementation of organizational standards and best practices in infrastructure project planning, support and delivery. The Lead Quality Engineer will take part in implementing strategies towards delivering infrastructure projects that contribute to the SDGs, with excellence and to partner satisfaction.

Functional Responsibilities

1. Strategic Planning and Portfolio Support

   1. Set-up and closure
   2. Monitoring and Reporting
   3. Delivery Support
   4. Quality Assurance
   5. Knowledge Management and Innovation
   6. Personnel Management

   Strategic Planning and Portfolio Support - Provides suggestions to the Infrastructure Team Leader for maintaining and implementing appropriate standards and best practices in line with UNOPS policies, guidelines and procedures.

   • Development and planning of new infrastructure programmes and projects; promoting best practices and lessons learnt from past experience, including scheduling and covering DNP stages; including planning necessary staffing resources, and logistical resources to implement the infrastructure management systems, contributing to ensuring synergies across the MCO.
   • Development, continuous improvement and assumes custodianship over tools and systems for infrastructure programmes and projects. Ensures application of infrastructure tools and systems across the MCO.
   • Analyses, identifies and provides solutions to potential risks and issues related to the delivery of infrastructure programmes and projects and advises mitigating measures to the Head of Programme/Head of Infra in a timely manner.
   • Guides the PMO Specialist with necessary project analysis and information relevant to the PMO (i.e. Direct Costs, Procurement Plans, Resources Plans, Forecasts, etc.).
   • Provides guidance and advice to the PMs in the development and implementation of Quality/Construction Management and Supervision plans
   • Contributes to Environmental Screening for all Infrastructure projects, provides guidance to PMs, as required.
   • Provides technical input in the drafting of ToRs for different technical disciplines, as needed.

Set-up and closure

• Actively involved in the start up of new infrastructure projects; in the absence of a PM, leads the startup of infrastructure projects including the recruitment of the project team and preliminary activities.
• Development of project plans/schedules for infrastructure project delivery.
• Develops, tracks and maintains dependencies between work packages.
• Facilitates the uptake and operationalization of performance management tools developed for infrastructure projects.
• Facilitates and ensures that all ETMCO Infrastructure Projects have a valid (and agreed) DNP Monitoring plan.
• In the absence of a PM, Manages the implementation of DNP plans, as per the schedule and reviews relevant documents, as part of the project closure requirements.
• Coordinates and oversees the implementation of requests or initiatives relevant to project management from the Regional Office, IPAS, and HQ Teams, as required.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Oversees the establishment, updating and maintenance of tracking systems and tools to facilitate monitoring of infrastructure project progress and performance.
• Provides routine monitoring and suggests corrective measures for infrastructure projects progress and performance.
• Oversee monitoring of progress of infrastructure contracts against planned schedules; and raises any deviations to the Infrastructure Team Lead, Project Executives and Project Managers for corrective actions
• Provides periodic analysis and technical advice on delivery data and shares it with the Infrastructure Project teams and Management, as appropriate.
• prepares and provides regular updates on the work progress to the Head of Infra and upstream to the ETMCO Leadership Team.
• Timely identification of potential risks and issues specific to infrastructure delivery, and escalates and suggests mitigating measures.
• Oversees the review of Infrastructure project status; evaluation and monitoring of performance criteria (scope, cost, schedule and quality).

Delivery Support

The Lead Quality Engineer is responsible for supporting the ETMCO Programme team to ensure Infrastructure projects are delivered to time, quality, scope and within budget:

• Works with Infrastructure Project Managers for identifying and deploying suitable technical resources for the delivery of Infrastructure products
• Provides induction, orientation and continuous technical advice to all Infrastructure practitioners related to the UNOPS Infrastructure management systems, including Quality Management, Construction Management, Contract Management, Construction Supervision, etc.
• Carries out periodic site visits to ETMCO construction sites.
• Works with Infrastructure Project Managers with procurement stages for Infrastructure projects, including providing technical assistance during the preparation of tender documents, facilitating pre-bid meetings and taking part in bid evaluations for construction contracts.
• Monitors Infrastructure PMs in the development, refinement and review of Quality Management Plans.
• Manages the implementation of Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs), as needed and ensures that is mainstreamed into project progress reports.
• Works with the HSSE Coordinator in monitoring the implementation of HSSE plans including requirements and guidelines at project sites.
• Backstops and/or takes part in surge initiatives for Infrastructure Project Managers and/or technical team members, as required
• Takes part in periodic site inspections, induction training, incident reporting and investigation, as per UNOPS guidelines.
• Identifies gaps, areas to improve and makes recommendations to the PMs, Infrastructure Team Leader, Project Executive and/or Head of Programme on appropriate corrective actions.
• Contributes to the achievement of the goal zero of incidents (injury, disease and fatal).

Quality Assurance

Actively contributes to becoming a Centre of Excellence and Good Practices in Infrastructure product delivery by contributing to assurance over Infrastructure projects:

• Appraises and facilitates compliance with UNOPS defined standards and international best practices for Infrastructure project management, including Quality Management, Construction Management, Contract Management, Construction Supervision, etc.
• Coordinates quality reviews of infrastructure project documents and deliverables, including design review submissions through the platform.
• Supports the Infrastructure Team Leader in providing technical advice to key stakeholders to continuously identify and improve operational processes relevant to Infrastructure projects implementation.
• Promotes a culture of compliance on Quality Management, Contract Management and Construction Supervision, Policies, Guidance, Tools and Templates.
• Reviews and provides assurance of QMPs on behalf of the PMO.
• Ensures all Infrastructure projects have a valid Construction Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) which is aligned with the contract requirements.
• Identifies issues or non-conformity, and recommends necessary actions to enforce where unsafe acts or processes that seem dangerous or unhealthy are detected.
• Undertakes reviews to ensure Infrastructure projects document records are complete and up to date: Design brief, Design Review Certificates, Substantial Completion Certificates, Final Completion Certificates, Contractor Notices, Materials Testing reports, Non-Conformity Registers, DNP monitoring plans, Defects Registers, As-Built Drawings, etc.
• Provides advice to PMs in the application of Contractual Guidance Material.
• Develops tools to track compliance of Infrastructure products with relevant policies, guidelines and tools, and undertake assurance over their practices for all Infrastructure projects.

Knowledge Management and Innovation

• Actively contributes to the ETMCO Infrastructure maturity enhancement initiatives during the delivery stages.

• Facilitates training including onboarding/induction of new joiners on UNOPS Quality Management policies, tools and instruments, including Contracts Management and Construction Supervision Guidance.

• Provides guidance and support to PMs in the development of Quality Management Plans (QMPs) and other QM Products.

• Ensures routine and effective capacity building activities are conducted in order to build the long-term and sustainable capacity of national staff.

• Participates in, and advocates for Infrastructure practitioners membership in relevant Communities of Practice.

• Contributes to ETMCO knowledge networks in infrastructure-related disciplines.

• Actively interacts with PMs and the wider UNOPS Infrastructure community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practices in the Knowledge System.

• Provides feedback on policy and supporting guidance related to Quality Management and infrastructure practices.

• Contributes to ensuring that lessons learnt are shared and mainstreamed in a timely and appropriate manner.

  Personnel Management

• Coordinates a pool of Expert Resources of Infrastructure practitioners across the Multi-Country Office and provides functional direction, oversight and feedback to its members.

• Leads the performance, resource and talent management of Infrastructure practitioners within the resources pool.

• Actively promote a culture of continuous improvement and lessons learning in infrastructure related disciplines.

• Takes the lead in recruiting quality technical resources internally and externally to UNOPS, in the absence of PMs. Actively supports PMs in doing so, where already in place.

• Leads on-boarding Infrastructure practitioners and provides guidance on performance setting and reviews within the practice.

• Promotes and supports a learning culture by empowering individuals and teams to identify critical learning needs and plans/provides easy access to learning opportunities to maintain personnel competency and flexibility.

• Fosters a positive work environment, respectful of both men and women, and ensures that the highest standards of conduct are observed.

  Impact of Results

  The Lead Quality Engineer directly impacts on achievement of the MCO Programme and Infrastructure unit specifically. Notably, The Lead Quality Engineer will contribute to implementing best practices in infrastructure delivery systems and overall organizational maturity in the infrastructure products.

This consequently reinforces the image of UNOPS as an effective service provider in Infrastructure project management and strengthens its competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and Project Services.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education: - A Master's degree in Architecture, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or other relevant technical discipline is required. - A combination of a Bachelor's degree in the above subjects, along with an additional 2 years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the education requirements outlined above.

Certification: - AutoCAD certification is desirable. - Prince 2 Foundation or equivalent is desirable. - Prince 2 Practitioner or equivalent is desirable.

Experience: - A minimum of at least five (5) years of experience in the field of infrastructure project management is required. - At least two (2) years experience with the design and procurement stages of the infrastructure life cycle is required. - At least one (1) year experience implementing Health and Safety systems is required. - At least two (2) years experience managing the performance of site/construction supervision teams is required. - Experience delivering training/capacity building/knowledge transfer workshops on infrastructure related topics is highly desirable. - Experience in works contract management, preferably FIDIC contracting is desirable. - Experience managing projects with multiple sites, in remote locations, with complex logistical characteristics is an asset. - Experience working with government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) on donor funded projects is an asset. - Proven experience working with Management Information Systems (MIS), ERP, Planning Software, Data analytics and/or reporting is highly desirable. - Knowledge of the UN system and familiarity with UNOPS procedures is a distinct advantage. - Good knowledge of internationally recognized building codes and standards is desired. - Experience implementing infrastructure projects in post-conflict, post-disaster environments will be an advantage.

Language - Fluency in spoken, written and reading English is required. - Knowledge of the local language (Amharic) is highly desirable. - Knowledge of other UN languages will be considered an asset.

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. 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: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA) Contract level: LICA/ICS -10 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

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.
• 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

APPLY HERE