Project Engineer at UNICEF

Summary of key Responibilities:

To coordinate UNICEF's various construction contracts, verify works, certify payments and to liaise with all stakeholders to ensure all functional project/program requirements are met

Under the general guidance of the Head of Section, the incumbent will be required to plan, organize, and monitor all construction activities as directed across various project phases including but not limited to: Feasibility Studies, Detailed Design Studies, Tender Documentation, Construction and Supervision /Quality Assurance. The position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya, with frequent travel to various locations in Somalia.

Key Expected Results:

1. Project Focal Point / Project Management

• Oversee and coordinate all project activities, resources, equipment and information and be able to provide requests for information or project updates at any time.
• Act as the point of contact for clients, stakeholders, government, contractors and sub-contractors and manage and maintain good working relationships with all.
• Work with all stakeholders and departments to coordinate projects to ensure all operations are completed in accordance with contract standards, industry specifications, to the project timeline and to budget.
• Monitor and track project's overall progress, keep satisfactory project monitoring documentation and file communications for all works.
• Advise UNICEF on and manage any issues that arise.

     2.  Contract Management

• Oversee and coordinate all project contracts (design, construction, supervision and goods supply) across entire project scope.
• Draft project contracts ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Brief all contractors and ensure all are in full understanding of contract conditions, standards, specifications and scope of works. Act as focal point for all contract enquiries.
• Verify all payments and ensure deliverables have been met across all project related contracts for services and goods.

    3. Tender Bids and Evaluations

• Provide technical inputs by working closely with Program, operations and implementing partners to ensure that the bidding process, technical & financial evaluations, negotiations (if any) and contracts awarded are in accordance with UNICEF standards, rules and policy.
• For all Bids, ensure that evaluations are per the technical, financial and institutional standing as per the contract conditions and scope of works.
• Assist the Project Management team in the drafting and issuance of project proposals, RFP's, tenders, budgets, cash flows and preliminary schedules.
• Attend all meetings and be highly involved in the technical and financial bid evaluations, ensuring compliance with UNICEF procurement regulations at all times.

    4. Project Monitoring and Reporting

• At the beginning of the project determine appropriate project reporting tools, submission dates and reporting strategies.
• Ensure detailed records are kept to contribute to the preparation of official reports, including the donor reports, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, plans and reports and respond to project progress queries at any given time.
• Use project management tools to monitor working hours, budget, plans and money spent for all contractors and project staff.
• Advise UNICEF on any potential risks, and propose corrective measures regarding project timeline, project budget and quality of the works.
• Assist with drafting construction sections of donor, annual and other reports, as required.
• Attend all project meetings as required and represent UNICEF at all times.

     5. Quality Design Outcomes

• Always ensure High quality design is achieved throughout all project phases.
• Advise on the design of structures taking into consideration appropriateness of design, materials and environmental conditions for the context.
• Help prepare project proposals, timeframes, schedules, specifications and cost estimates as required.
• Approve draft and final submissions for all design components and associated documentation, always ensuring high quality design standards are being achieved.

       6. Quality Assurance and Onsite Supervision

• Approve contractor's quality monitoring tools at the beginning of all works.
• Develop and implement quality control programs and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate construction efforts with all contractors for project completion by predetermined deadlines.
• Use project management tools to monitor working hours, budget, actual works completed. If any of the above mentioned items are not being met, advise and propose mitigation measures necessary to correct and take appropriate action.
• Conduct regular site inspections as required.
• Ensure the Construction Officers monitor the onsite works, report on works and respond to their daily queries during construction as required.
• Conduct regular site inspections at all project sites to ensure UNICEF supervisory regulations are being upheld.

 7. Client Relations

• Maintain good working relations with the client at all times.
• Prepare progress reports for clients and submit client reporting tools as agreed upon.
• Make certain that clients' needs are met as the project evolves.
• Attend client meetings and respond to clients queries throughout project durationHelp prepare project proposals, timeframes, schedules, specifications and cost estimates as required.

As a champion for every child you will have:

• A Masters Degree in Architecture, Engineering or a relevant discipline related to design/construction from a recognized University / Institution
• At least five (5) years' experience working on construction projects in a project management and coordination capacity
• Experience working in the Somalia context highly desirable.
• Experience working with UNICEF and an understanding of UN systems highly desirable.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required.
• Proficiency with Autocad (or drafting equivalent software), GIS Software, Xcel and MS Word required, familiarity with other software programs a plus.
• Ability to work productively in a multi-cultural environment; willingness to travel and live in locations with difficult conditions.
• A high level of interpersonal, management skills, integrity and ability to work with complex teams.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with minimum supervision.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

Our core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.