UNDP is the development arm of the United Nations system, with offices in 180 countries. Globally the organization employs 17,000 people and manages a budget of USD 5 billion each year. 
The UNDP office in Skopje employs a team of 65 and currently manages a portfolio of projects in environmental protection, good governance and social inclusion worth USD 15 million per year.
Local government institutions continue to struggle to improve the quality of life enjoyed by their citizens. To extract tangible benefits from funds available for municipalities from the central government, the European Union (EU), international financial institutions and other donors, municipalities need to strengthen their capacity to prioritize, formulate and implement infrastructure development projects.

The project Building Municipal Capacity for Project Implementation aims to address the main challenges of local development and to increase municipal capacities when preparing and designing local development projects. The establishment of the TDF for supporting local development projects represents one of the key components of this project. The newly created Fund will channel assistance specifically to those municipalities that are struggling the most in terms of socio-economic development.
As part of the efforts to address these challenges, Technical Development Fund will provide financial support to municipalities in North Macedonia for creation of technical documentation for their most prioritized infrastructure projects. More precisely, the Technical development Fund (TDF) will provide direct financial support for the least developed municipalities by providing funding for preparation of technical documentation for their most urgent and priority projects in the field of communal, social and environmental infostructure. The projects with developed technical documentation will be fully eligible for applying for further donor support from relevant international financial and donor institutions such as EU, EBRD, The World Bank and other additional state or donor funding through direct grants or low-interest loans. 

The project is providing up to USD 1 million in funding to some 50 municipalities to help them address priority needs, particularly for vulnerable groups, with the aim of ensuring better living standards and quality of life for all. Addressing gender equality issues in the local context plays significant role in evaluating and selecting the projects for funding.).
UNDP is currently seeking an experienced Project specialist with technical background and specialization in Civil/Construction Engineering or Architecture to support the Project team in effective and timely implementation of the project and achievement of all planned results.

The incumbent will work under direct supervision, close coordination and guidance of the Project Manager and in close coordination and guidance of the Head of the UNDP Democratic governance Portfolio. He/she will work in close collaboration with Country Office Operations Unit staff and be responsible for the satisfactory achievement of the entrusted functions and tasks, as outlined below.

The salary for the position is classified as SB 4 and depends on experience and qualifications.

Description of responsibilities:
 

  • Provide specialist services in preparation of terms of reference and review of technical documentation (designs, drawings, technical specifications) in accordance with the contract documents and the procedures established by UNDP;
  • Assistance to the Project Manager throughout the tendering processes (selection of the service providers (companies), participates in panels and or minutes taking/writing;
  • Monitoring the work of service providers, including day-to-day communication, quality control and providing inputs to the Project Manager for vendor performance;
  • Ensuring proper communication and inclusion of stakeholders in all aspects related to this key function.


1. Provide specialist and advisory services in preparation of terms of reference and review of technical documentation and address the main challenges of local development to increase municipal capacities when preparing and designing local development infrastructure projects.

  • Provide specialist/advisory services in supervising the preparation of designs, drawings and technical specifications in accordance with the contract documents and the procedures established by UNDP.
  • Assist in review of technical design documents (existing and future lay out, Bill of Quantities (BoQ) with estimation of costs, technical description, design and specific drawings) for specific projects.
  • Conduct field visits to several potential locations requiring specific technical assistance for project implementation;
  • Contribute to effective cooperation among municipal administration and design companies. Toghether with municipalites officials, prepares project clarifications for design companies to better understand the required technincal scope of work.
  • Initiate preparation of project work-plans through providing support in data collection, systematization and analysis of information, inter-action with institutions in data collection;
  • Provide inputs to project pipeline in support of further programme growth within the governance unit, by feeding project implementation relevant data and information especially those related to counterpart needs and partnership environment.
  • Prepare relevant background materials for use in discussions, correspondence and briefing sessions.

2. Provide effective support throughout all stages of tendering processes

  • Provide technical and administrative assistance in preparation of technical project and tender documentation (ToR, tender dossier, tender evaluation, etc.)  as required by the specific project and specified by the Project;
  • Ensure that necessary supporting documentation is in place prior to issuance of tender;
  • Holds regular communication with procurement unit in order to contribute to efficient task completion;
  • Provide written report about the compliance of the evaluation process with UNDP procurement procedures;

 
3. Contribute to aligning the project with UN values and UNDP priorities:

  • Support the pursuit of gender equality in all project activities and work plans, budgets, reports, researches, analyses and, where specifically relevant, in detailed analysis;
  • Help promote gender equality within the project team;
  • Support the consideration of accessibility for persons with disabilities in all project activities;
  • Consult regularly with other UNDP projects and programs on related activities where synergies are possible;
  • Help to communicate project goals and activities clearly to stakeholders and the wider public.

4.    Facilitate knowledge sharing within the project

  • Participate in the training for the operations/project staff on administration and other relevant topics;
  • Keep track of the changes of UNDP procedures and provide timely advice to the Project Manager and other project staff on what are the applicable procedures to fulfilling the project objectives;
  • Perform adminstrative and other duties realted to project implementation.

Values:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Building partnerships and networking

  • Builds strong partnerships with all institutions and individuals relevant to the project.


Communication skills

  • Has strong interpersonal, negotiation and networking skills;
  • Able to listen to others;
  • Respects difference of opinion;
  • Finds common ground to solve problems;
  • Gains trust of peers, partners and clients; and
  • Able to present complex, conceptual ideas in simple, persuasive terms

Planning, Organizing and Multi-Tasking

  • Organises and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships
  • Plans, coordinates and organises workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines
  • Demonstrates ability to quickly shift from one task to another to meet multiple support needs
  • Establishes, builds and maintains effective working relationships with staff and clients to facilitate the provision of support

Technical competencies:

  • Knowledge in technical documentation preparation for infrastructure projects;
  • Experience in liaising and co-operating with government officials, municipal authorities, and the private sector;
  • Experience in project/procurement cycle management, especially for construction works and design works for construction will be an asset
  • Experience in liaising and co-operating with government officials, municipal authorities, and the private sector;
  • Excellent computer literacy (MS Office; Windows).

Education:

  • A university degree in Civil/Contstruction engeneering or Architecture or another relevant field is required. A Master‘s Degree is not mandatory but is a strong asset.


Experience:

  • At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in technical documentation preparation for infrastructure projects (this requirement can be reduced to two years for candidates with a Master‘s Degree). Experience with governance development projects (local infrastrucure: water supply, sewerage, local roads, social and communcal infrastructure, etc.) will be considered as an asset.


Languages:

  • Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills are required in both Macedonian and English. Knowledge of Albanian or other languages used in the country is an asset.

 

 

Important applicant information

All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.

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.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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Contract Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

This vacancy is archived.

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