Engineer At World Food Programme

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

All applications should be received no later than 22 July 2021.

CONTRACT TYPE AND DURATION

This position is open to Syrian or Syrian/Palestinian nationals only.

Contract Type: Service Contract – SC10

Duration: 12 months

Duty Station: Damascus

Number of required employees: 2

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide. The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetime. Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need. In 2020, WFP was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to fight hunger globally, including its work during the coronavirus pandemic.

In Syria, WFP provides food assistance to more than 4.6 million people each month. This includes families who require emergency assistance when affected by conflict and displacement and also those who need help to improve their nutrition and food security. WFP supports children across Syria with healthy meals and snacks at school, mothers with nutritious diets, and families and communities with sustainable livelihood projects.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

These jobs are found in Headquarters (HQ) or Country Offices (COs). Job holders report to the Division/Country Director or the designate, and are subject to overall normative and technical direction from the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering in relation to all matters of engineering services and construction activities.
Job holders may work independently or as members of a team, using technical knowledge and expertise to analyse data, prepare reports, provide advice and solutions to problems, and identify opportunities for improvements. They may lead multi-disciplinary teams, including engineering staff, and may manage clusters of project partners and stakeholders to deliver engineering services or more complex projects.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:

WFP Syria Country Office is developing various projects involving construction and, more in general, engineering activities, from buildings refurbishment for office space to livelihood projects. With this aim, an Engineering Unit, has been established within the Support Services to technically support various Units, providing engineering design and reviews; engineering project management; construction procurement processes; contract management for construction activities and technical support in general. Due to the difficulties for UN staff to move around the country, the work within the engineering team is arranged by areas and the Engineer will be responsible for all the projects in the Governorates assigned to him/her, mainly: WFP facilities (offices), Supply Chain projects (warehouses and MSUs installations), livelihood projects (rehabilitation of bakeries and irrigation system).

The Engineer will work in the Engineering Unit of Syria Country Office, reporting to the Lead Engineer, under the overall supervision of the Deputy Country Director for Support Services. S/he will report in relation to all aspects of design, construction and contract management for different types of projects to be carried out in Syria, supporting various units. The Engineer will provide consutruction and Engineering expertise and contribute to the efficient delivery and quality outputs.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The main tasks required for this position will be engineering projects management including planning; engineering design review; construction procurement processes monitoring; supervision and facilitation of construction activities carried out by cooperating partners and contractors and, more generally, technical support to other WFP’s programmes and operations in Syria.

Within delegated authority, the Engineer will be responsible for the following duties (not limited to):

• Provide engineering, project management and administrative services for assurance of the quality of the works during design and construction in line with WFP procedures and processes, international (and local) standards and codes and application of best practices, standards and innovative technologies.
• Contribute to the implementation of WFP Policies, standards, norms and practices ensuring compliance with wider WFP policies, procedures, guidelines and operations. Apply and implement WFP Construction Manual procedures and processes.
• Contribute towards the planning of the projects including identification, technical feasibility and assessment, develop and/or review project proposal, budgets and detailed cost estimation and preparation of workplan.
• Support Syria Country Office with the preparation and/or review of technical document for bidding process such as scope of Works, tender packages in FIDIC modality, tender evaluation and contracting and selection of appropriate partners, consultants and firms as per the requirement of the programme and WFP policies.
• Undertake and/or review preliminary or detailed designs (preparing, writing and assembling drawings, schematics, masterplans, design calculations and reports, technical specifications).
• Undertake site visits to project sites and conduct technical assessments according to specifications and area mentioned in the Project description.

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• Monitor the construction projects for quality and timely implementation and track the progress against the contract and agreed workplan and take appropriate remedial measures.
• Conduct regular field visits and collate data and contribute to preparation of accurate and timely reporting on outputs. Review monthly reports of infrastructure project including review and clearance of monthly or progress payment.
• Supervise construction works, programming, co-ordination and managing contractual matters.
• Liaise with stakeholders, both internal and external to the organization, including the relevant ministries and involved authorities. Attend meetings and prepare and review reports, minutes and correspondence.
• Coordinate and provide the required support to the WFP sub-offices and relevant units of WFP Syria such as programme, finance, partnership and procurement for quality implementation of the programme through a coordinated approach.
• Operate computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to perform engineering tasks.
• Any other duties assigned as per requirement of the Head of Engineering Unit.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Engineering or Architecture or related Engineering discipline, or First University Degree in Engineering with additional years of related work experience. Hold or be eligible for Accreditation to “Professional Engineer” or “Chartered Engineer” status or recognized equivalent by an appropriate national or international regulatory authority

Experience: Five (5) years post graduate relevant professional experience with Master’s Degree, or Seven (7) years post graduate relevant professional experience with a first University Degree.

Language: Fluency in both oral and written communication in English and Arabic.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Good communication and coordination skills.
• Knowledge and/or experience in engineering design.
• Experience of working with multiple stakeholders including government and partners.
• Good knowledge of international contract formats and construction management procedures.
• Good knowledge of AutoCAD 2D and Office package.

DESIRED EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

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• Experience of working in the Humanitarian Community is an asset.
• Has managed or contributed to the management of a small to medium scale engineering construction project, taking responsibility for engineering decision-making.
• Has demonstrated experience in planning and organizing, managing work programs and objectives, staff and budgets, and liaison with stakeholders/donors.
• International experience recommended.