Back Engineer, Special Service Agreement (SSA: NOA, Nairobi-Kenya)

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Qualifications

1. Background and Justification

In response to the growing frequency and scale of public health emergencies in the African region, WHO AFRO has prioritized the establishment of Regional Emergency Hubs as the operational arms of its Emergency Preparedness and Response programme. The Nairobi Hub, serving 20 Member States in Eastern and Southern Africa, is a key part of this strategy, designed to enhance readiness, accelerate response, strengthen logistics coordination, and advance workforce development. It will function as a Center of Excellence and a central platform for warehousing critical health supplies.

The Hub’s infrastructure is a critical enabler of WHO’s ability to operationalize emergency support, complementing regional strategies such as workforce development and the SURGE initiative.

* Purpose of the Position:

In alignment with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE), and specifically within the scope of the Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response (EPR) function in the Eastern and Southern Africa region, the establishment of a fully operational Emergency Preparedness and Response Hub in Nairobi is a strategic priority. The Hub is being developed to strengthen WHO’s regional capacity to support Member States through emergency response readiness, rapid deployment of personnel and supplies, and coordination of health logistics across the region.

As part of this strategic investment, WHO is undertaking the construction and development of the EPR Hub in phased stages, starting with the design and construction of a dedicated warehouse and office space. Subsequent phases will include the development of an infectious disease’s unit, training facility, and an emergency camp.

To ensure the effective planning, execution, and quality assurance of these construction activities, WHO requires the technical expertise of a dedicated Engineer. Although the construction work will be carried out by contracted firms, the Engineer will play a critical role in overseeing and managing the implementation of the works. This includes monitoring progress against technical specifications, reviewing engineering plans and deliverables, coordinating with contractors and relevant government bodies, and ensuring that all construction activities comply with WHO safety, quality, and environmental standards.

The Engineer will serve as the focal technical expert for WHO on-site during the construction phases, reporting to the 1st level supervisor OSL Officer and coordinating closely with the OSL Team Lead.  The incumbent will be instrumental in ensuring that the construction of the Hub infrastructure is delivered on time, within scope, and to the expected quality standards, ultimately contributing to WHO’s operational readiness and emergency response capability in the region.

2. Job Description

*Objectives of the Program and the immediate Strategic Objective

The mission of WHO’s Emergencies Preparedness and Response (EPR) program is to support member states to i) prepare for and prevent disease outbreaks and health emergencies, ii) promptly detect, report, and confirm outbreaks, and iii) strengthen and sustain their capacity to respond to and recover from the negative effects of health emergencies. 

*Organizational context (Describe the individual role of the incumbent within the team, focusing on the work environment within and outside the organization)

The ultimate mission of the Engineer is to ensure that adequate services are provided by the constructing company(s). Within the Hub, the Engineer will report to the OSL officer (1st level supervisor), while under the overall guidance of the OSL Team Lead, who will also be the 2nd level supervisor.

*Summary of Assigned Duties (Describe what the incumbent has to do to achieve main objectives; include main achievements expected)

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following duties which are performed according to the needs and agenda:

• ·         Support development of TORs, evaluation criteria, and technical documentation related to the selection of architectural and construction firms.
• ·         Liaise with government regulatory bodies, including NEMA, NCA, and local county authorities to ensure timely acquisition of permits and approvals.
• ·         Ensure compliance with WHO's environmental safeguards, particularly in line with ESIA findings and sustainability goals.
• ·        Coordinate with WHO Geneva engineering team and partners on design alignment, material selection, and handover  protocols.

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  • ·         Prior to the commencement of any construction work, the engineer must also ensure that comprehensive topographic and geotechnical surveys are conducted and reviewed, to inform the suitability of the site and guide appropriate foundation design.
  • ·         Work closely with the selected company to perform the work, on detailed engineering Designs, Bill of Quantities, technical specification and other related technical documents
  • ·         Responsible for ensuring that all construction activities, including design verification and on-site implementation, strictly adhere to WHO standards and technical specifications—particularly those related to warehouse infrastructure.
  • ·         Responsible for the general project management, supervision and completion of all construction projects assigned according to the design plans, drawings, technical specification, budget, milestones and contractual agreements with contractors
  • ·         Lead and manage day-to-day activities of construction company and contractors, monitor every aspect of works and ensure it meets:

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    1)         Engineering or construction standard and practices

    2)         Plans, drawings and design specifications and

    3)         Contractual obligation; prepare and maintain a site diary/report of the projects highlighting, staff presence at the site, equipment and usage, materials, visitors, challenges and actions taken and result.

    • ·         Advise on project assets, planning, construction design, and maintenance of systems such as buildings, roads, warehouses, space optimization, water treatment, waste disposal, and flood control systems.
    •  Set technical requirements, design scopes, implementation timelines, measurables, budgets, and quality control parameters in line with international standards (e.g. NEC, FIDIC)
    • ·         Ensure the quality control and assurance system of the project is strictly implemented and adhered to in all details, such as supervise and monitor all testing procedure and method applied in testing of materials and works, testing & commissioning of different building service systems and maintain records and results.
    • ·         Ensure all scope of work, detailed design, technical specification, Bill of Quantity of the projects are executed in complete harmony with work plans and schedule between main contractor, specialist supplier and installers hired.
    • ·         Ensure all construction workers consistently use PPE  and follow safety protocols.
    • ·         Prepare Weekly and Monthly progress reports highlighting plans against actual physical accomplishment, cost of the projects to date, cost variations, challenges during the construction period, action taken and results, and work plans and schedule for the coming month.
    • ·         Review and recommend progress payments against physical progress and value of each work item; ensure that all standard requirements for payments are compiled and attached to the bills.
    • ·         Lead and document  regular coordination and progress review meeting between WHO EPR Hub, contractors and stakeholders.
    • ·         Resolve technical or constructors’ issues on the site, report site difficulties or unresolved problems encountered, recommend actions to be taken and seek help from line manager if necessary.
    • ·         Perform any other task assigned by the line manager.