Back National Resident Engineer

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through the FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving no one behind.
FAO is a specialized agency of the UN that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. FAO's goal is to achieve food security for all and ensure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With 195 Members (194 countries and the European Union), FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.

FAO Country Offices, working under overall corporate guidance and in line with the Strategic Framework, offer policy advice and support to countries in the mandated areas of FAO, facilitated through partnerships, resources and an active country programme to provide technical assistance, develop capacities and deliver core services while fully observing international standards of accountability to establish leadership and strengthen impact at the country level. 
The offices deliver on the programmatic priorities of each country as agreed in their respective Frameworks aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and ensure effective and efficient operations with adequate human and financial resources. 

Specifically, FAO Country Offices: 
•    advocate, inform and support policies and investments in the areas of FAO’s mandate;
•    provide technical assistance and deliver core services; 
•    assist and catalyse partnership and resource mobilization activities to support agrifood systems transformation; 
•    position FAO as the specialized/authoritative technical agency in food and agriculture and agrifood systems transformation; and 
•    ensure risk-smart and accountable operations and management.  

The position is located in the FAO Programme Office in Wewak, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.

The EU-funded programme entitled “Support to Rural Entrepreneurship, Investment and Trade in Papua New Guinea” (EU-STREIT PNG) is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP), in collaboration with the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other partner agencies such as ILO, UNCDF, UNDP and ITU. The programme aims to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development, with a particular emphasis on improving the living conditions of rural communities, with a great emphasis on gender equality and youth inclusion.
The five-year Programme (2020-2025) will be implemented in the Provinces of East and West Sepik with the overall objective to increase sustainable and inclusive economic development of rural areas. The Programme will focus on the cocoa, vanilla and fishery (coastal, riverine and aquaculture) value chains with the specific objectives to: (i) increase economic returns from these value chains; and (ii) strengthen climate resilient and more efficient value chain enablers.

Reporting Lines

The National Resident Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the Senior Field Programme Officer and in overall supervision of Programme Coordinator for EU-STREIT Programme in Papua New Guinea, and in close collaboration with the EU-STREIT PNG Programme and Procurement units. 

Technical Focus

The National Resident Engineer shall carry out such duties as designing of the small-scale rural structures (storage sheds, cocoa fermentories, etc), design modifications of existing structures for technology installations (PV sets, cold chain infrastructure), supervision of construction contracts and support to the programme team in all aspects related to rural infrastructure, including the support of self-help beneficiary groups.

Tasks and responsibilities

Planning and Designing stage

•    Conduct site surveys with identification of needs related to the infrastructure set-up and functionality;
•    Arrangement of construction permits, land use agreements and any other legally required paperwork where needed;
•    Provide support to the programme team in questions related to infrastructure projects preparation.

Construction Stage

•    Supervise the execution of the Rural Infrastructure contracts entered by FAO with the selected contractor ensuring the contractor’s compliance with design specifications and material, construction standards and timely execution of the projects, namely:
•    Carry out duties such as specifying the scope of work and specifications; issuing instructions, decisions, certificates, and orders as required for the satisfactory execution of the construction contracts;
•    Agree on the program of building works of rural infrastructure projects with contractors and engineers to ensure that there is a complete understanding of what is required;
•    Regularly inspect works in progress to ensure compliance with design specifications, required material, construction standards, and timeliness;
•    Carry out tests of samples of materials and supplies and verify workmanship, as may be considered necessary at the cost of the contractor in order to ensure their compliance with the relevant specifications and standards;
•    Maintain records of all excavations, foundations and other works that will be hidden by subsequent construction;
•    Monitor health and safety standards on project sites and ensure that they are adhered to by all construction personnel;
•    Maintain regular contacts with Operations Officer and International Procurement Specialist to report on the progress and standards of construction works carried out, recording and reporting any problems and significant delays faced by the projects;
•    Explain, adjust, and modify in case of ambiguities or discrepancies the specifications and the relevant drawings of the works, provided always that this shall not result in any additional costs to the Organization;
•    Check the amount of work completed, work situation, and monthly invoices submitted by the contractor in accordance with the contract and certify them;
•    Advise on the amount(s) of liquidated damages and deduct them from any of the contractor's invoices due for payment;
•    Evaluate and verify changes to the original projects and if necessary, consult and agree to their approval with the supervisors;
•    Organize site meetings regularly as the situation requires, as well as prepare sites diaries and report on meetings and works progress fortnightly;
•    Providing regular updates to Programme management, including reports and referenced digital photos, on the progress made bringing to their attention any issues that need immediate attention;
•    Monitor the quality of the works, its progress, and ensure proper execution and completion of the terms of the contracts;
•    Immediately notify the Programme Coordinator, Deputy Programme Coordinator and Operations Officer of any accident arising from the execution of the contract and shall provide full particulars thereof;
•    Submit regular progress reports on the infrastructure development works;

Support and Consultation Role

•    Support through the consultations and field assessment/advisory visits the programme beneficiary groups who develop their infrastructure capacities through self-help approach, specifically:
•    Provide assessment of existing infrastructure and advise on steps necessary for desired modification;
•    Advise self-help groups on safety, security, fire/environmental hazards to be taken in consideration for modification;
•    Support self-help groups with Bill of Quantity calculations;
•    Provide any other construction-related support inherent to his/her function upon consultation with management.

Undertake any other duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements  
  
•    University degree (bachelor’s degree) in civil engineering or any related field
•    At least 3 years or relevant experience in construction, infrastructure development or related tasks
•    Working Knowledge of English
•    National of Papua New Guinea

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Familiarity with United Nations procedures, rules and regulations would be considered an asset.
•    Comprehensive understanding of national rules and regulations in Papua New Guinea regarding construction and infrastructure development projects.
•    Ability to travel to several locations for construction site supervision and reporting (travel costs are covered by FAO). 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION