UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Office/Unit/Project Description

UNDP works to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities, and protect the planet through the sustainable development of nations, in more than 170 countries and territories. We help countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships and institutions so they can sustain their progress. In Zimbabwe, UNDP is working for a Zimbabwe that is empowered and more resilient to create and sustain growth that will improve people’s lives. We focus on areas that have a multiplier effect through a targeted build-up of capacities, policies, the creation of dialogue space, and scalable downstream interventions.

UNDP Zimbabwe is working with the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) in Zimbabwe to support the government of Zimbabwe attain its climate goals through the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP). The CAWEP programme aims to support vulnerable communities and institutions’ adaptation and resilience capacity to climate shocks. Through this programme UNDP and FCDO is supporting the development of climate-resilient, multiple use water and renewable energy infrastructure in vulnerable communities of Zimbabwe to enable(i) continued access to water for productive and household use, including during droughts and floods, and (ii) improved access to clean and affordable energy to support economic activities with the intention of supporting more sustainable livelihoods’ outcomes. The project will align and contribute towards the Government of Zimbabwe's (GoZ) climate change priorities outlined in various strategies, such as its National Development Strategy, Nationally Determined Contributions, and National Climate Change Policy.

Against this background, the UNDP Zimbabwe Country Office is seeking a Project Irrigation/Civil Engineer to support the Project Manager and the PMU in the planning, design, construction supervision and inspections of civil/construction/irrigation works. The Project Irrigation/Civil Engineer reports to the Project Manager. They will also work in liaison with the UNDP colleagues, Regional Technical Advisors, Partners and Government- nominated project focal points.

Scope of Work:

A. Lead the irrigation and water supply feasibility assessments and development of EIAs and completion of ESMP checklists by the relevant line departments and submission to the Project Management Unit and EMA for certification including:

Support and facilitate the establishment of sustainable governance structures for infrastructure; Promote productivity and profitability of smallholder irrigation schemes and water supply schemes.

B. Management and Supervision of Designs/BoQs prepared by consultants for civil works; and prepare sign- off reports for submission to Project Management Unit and Project Manager.

C. Construction supervision and monitoring of ongoing works and quality control and quality assurance of civil works related to small-scale infrastructure, repair/rehabilitation/development of irrigation schemes, slope stabilization through bio-engineering measures, and sharing of progress on project templates.

D. Conduct field visits to provide technical inputs to selected construction firms, field-based UNDP consultants and Line Departments to ensure quality standards and timely delivery according to approved specifications and as per best engineering practices.

Ensure that ‘Material Source Qualification Approval Tests’, non-destruction testing and other relevant quality control measures are done by contractors; Ensure that DRR and ESMP concerns are addressed while undertaking rehabilitating works.

E. Contracts management: Assess the work activities of contractor/s, measure completed work and checks, verifies and approves for interim milestone payments to contractors:

Supervise the development of the project quality assurance plan; Financial and technical management of the construction contracts; Identify construction risks and monitoring of mitigation measures and ensure these are reported in the Constructions Risk Matrix for the project;  Develop and properly maintain and log change orders during construction with prior approval of the Project Manager; Recommend course corrections for quality of work to be completed within the agreed time; Technical inspections, documentation of design change and variations in drawings and BOQs for approvals in accordance with Government Rates and Open market rates.

F. Reporting: maintain project site records; compile periodic reports and contribute to specific project reports required by UNDP and donor agency standard procedures including: 

Provide support in effective management of the project including progress monitoring and reporting; Assessing and reporting on the safety, health, environmental and social aspects of projects, close-out plans, archiving of as-built designs, catalogues, cost and progress report, draft completion reports of the civil works on project template and submit to Project Management Unit; Maintain photos of sites at various levels of execution i.e., before the work starts, during the execution of work and after the work is completed.

G. Procurement support: Conducting technical evaluation of contractors/consultants, supporting procurement of construction services, providing technical inputs in proposal development and lead technical field teams in the project’s execution including: 

Actively interact with and support other UNDP projects during procurement of services and review of design documents for subject matter accuracy and due diligence.

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

Institutional Arrangements

The Project Irrigation/Civil Engineer will work under the overall guidance of the Project Manager. S/he will report to Project Manager and will work in close collaboration with project teams and provincial responsible partners.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Achieve Result: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline; Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements; Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback; Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible; Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident; Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships; Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Business Management

Risk Management Ability to identify and organize action around mitigating and proactively managing risks. Project Management Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.

Operations Procurement

Financial Analysis Knowledge of evaluating businesses, projects, budgets, and other finance related transactions to determine their performance and suitability.

Business Management

Monitoring Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.

External Relations and Advocacy

Partnership Management Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Business Direction and Strategy

System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

2030 Agenda Planet

Nature, Climate and Energy Water Governance: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).

Requirements:

Minimum education requirements:

Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering / Structural Engineering/Architecture or related field is required or; A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Minimum years of relevant work experience:

Minimum 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience and proven expertise in irrigation, civil engineering, architecture, project management or related field is required; Minimum 2 years of relevant experience preferably with international and/or public sector organization.

Required Skills and Competencies:

Sound knowledge/experience of project management; Excellent knowledge of design and visualization software such as AutoCAD, Sketchup etc; Proven competency in computer use and in reporting skills.

Desired additional skills and competencies:

Experience in supervision of irrigation works and other civil works in Zimbabwe; Experience in working with any UN organization in Engineering works; Demonstrable knowledge of project management; Coordination with multiple and multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders; Experience in monitoring and supervision of construction works in Zimbabwe will be an advantage; Ability to work on time-sensitive projects with tight deadlines; Experience in Monitoring and quality assurance; Proven Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity; Well-versed with Gantt charts, MS-Project and PMIS.

Language

Fluency in English is required; Fluency in Shona and/or Ndebele is required.

Professional Certificates

Relevant professional certifications would be an advantage.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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This vacancy is archived.

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