World Food Programme (WFP) Civil Engineer Job in Nairobi Kenya

Job Title: Civil Engineer
 

Post Type / Grade: Service Contract – NOB Equiv 

Duty Stations: Nairobi
 

Date of issue: 21 May 2014 

Deadline for application: 3 June 2014
 

Accountability: The World Food Programme (WFP) is working with the Government of Kenya, and in support of refugees and communities displaced to parts of Kenya by conflict and environmental challenges. 

WFP undertakes engineering and construction activities to support its own activities, and those of the wider humanitarian community, and to provide and reinforce the infrastructure of food security and community resilience in the face of food shocks.
 

WFP wishes to recruit a competent and experienced Civil Engineer who will be responsible for implementing and overseeing engineering services and works. The Engineer will manage all day-to-day activities including planning, co-ordination activities, supervision, reporting, etc. 

The Engineer will coordinate with and be supported by WFP Field Engineering, who shall provide, oversight and technical support on any engineering or construction related activities to ensure compliance with WFP policies and guidelines.
 

The Engineer shall report to the Head of Administration and shall be under the overall supervision of Senior Deputy Country Director for Support Services, and shall take technical direction and oversight from the Chief Engineer, WFP Field Engineering in relation to all aspects of engineering services, construction and contract management activities, and compliance with WFP procedures. 

The Engineer shall be expected to work closely with CO procurement teams in undertaking work programs.
 

The Engineer shall be responsible for the successful delivery of engineering services and construction activities, and shall oversee implementation whether by contract or ‘direct labour’ modalities. 

The Engineer shall provide regular reports to the Country Director and the WFP Field Engineering in relation to these activities, and shall establish appropriate and necessary oversight procedures needed to successfully manage the delivery of projects. 

This shall include the contracting of additional resources to supervision the execution of construction at the project sites.
 

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
 

Management

• Be familiar with and apply relevant aspects of the WFP Construction Manual, where appropriate, for construction planning, procurement and management.
• Assisting in the selection and recruitment of other engineering staff that may be employed to assist with the supervision of construction operations at the various sites.
• Co-ordinate all elements of works proposals including, design, construction, supervision and any relevant WFP inputs, including overseeing and validating all construction procurement documentation.
• Take guidance and direction from WFP Field Engineering with regard to approved contract formats and procurement modalities for appointing consultants/designers for engineering services or contractors for engineering works.
• Act as the project focal point between the WFP and appointed Consultant designer / Supervision teams / Contractor;
• Co-ordinate with the various WFP units including but not limited to admin, security, procurement etc. regarding the project.
• Providing input into the design phase of any project, ensuring that the approved design can be implemented on site, confirming that the materials can be procured in the country and ensuring that the design chosen represents a sound option for the progression of the project.
• Ensuring that construction activities or work programs take account of and adhere to local regulations and legislation.
• Consulting with local authorities to ensure timely provision of necessary building consents and authorisations.
• Evaluating and overseeing processes of construction, project risk assessments and mitigating actions, programming and co-ordination.
• Assessing and approving a contractor’s security arrangements, with WFP Security teams, to protect WFP personnel, assets and materials during the construction phase of the projects.
• Providing advice to the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering concerning the schedule for securing access to or handing over a construction site.
• Approving the suitability of contractor or ‘direct labour’ arrangements, site supervision, technical, artisan and general labour resources.
• Assessing and confirming bidder capacity, and approving contractors or sub-contractors to be selected by WFP or contractor, to CO Procurement teams and WFP Field Engineering.
• Providing input and guidance to evaluation panels and local PCC deliberations in relation to engineering services or construction procurement proposals.
• Monitoring and evaluating on-site and off-site facilities, including materials or other test laboratories, to ensure compliance with the terms of a contract. This shall include monitoring any laboratory testing and recommend improvements (if any) to ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards.
• Assessing construction equipment, plant and machinery requirements, by condition, type and specification, and assessing operator skill and performance for site mobilisation and maintaining progress.
• Monitoring construction progress on a regular basis to ensure compliance in accordance with approved work programs.
• Preparing, reviewing and approving "as constructed" documentation and preparing reports confirming, or otherwise, the satisfactory completion of any work, whether by contract or by ‘direct labour’.
• Inspecting and reporting on completed works to the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering, and overseeing ‘substantial completion’ and ‘defects notification’ milestones, hand over and occupation of completed works.

Construction contract and contractor management

• Researching and evaluating the capacity of local design and construction companies, as required.
• Reporting to the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering, and appropriately instructing a contractor, with regard to the correct interpretation and application of the terms of approved contract documentation.
• Resolving and/or reconciling any ambiguities and/or discrepancies in contract documents.
• Assessing and reporting on proposed construction methods for any works, to ensure that the methods proposed are satisfactory and consistent with respect to requirements for efficiency, quality, and health and safety requirements
• Preparing and recommending variations/change orders to a works proposal, to address and resolve issues encountered on site, to resolve constraints and time slippage in works programs, or arising from the evolving needs of the WFP or others.
• Preparing designs, drawings, quantities and cost estimates for variations/change orders to address the issues for the approval by the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering. 
• Reviewing and approving proposals by a contractor to meet requirements specified in variations/change orders.
• Overseeing and directing remedial works carried out during a ‘Defects Liability’ period, and providing guidance to the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering with respect to the release or otherwise of the ‘Retained Monies’ under a contract.
• Authorising all minor additional works under a contract that do not materially affect the project, at the rates established in the construction works contract, or at alternative rates mutually agreed upon when the works are not listed in the contract bill of quantities.
• In conjunction with the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering, ordering and documenting the suspension or termination of construction activities, and recommending other appropriate recourse under the contract.

Reporting

• Overseeing project performance, evaluation and reporting systems, up to project completion.
• Liaise directly with the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering, via structured meetings or other means with regards to any arising or on-going technical, financial, contractual, or program issues at project sites. 
• Provide regular updates on progress in relation to engineering services or construction related activities.
• Establishing standardized and comprehensive systems for project, construction and site records, including all site correspondence, survey data, inspection records, test data, site diaries, records of meetings, financial records, progress records etc.
• Compiling day by day project diary to record all construction site events relevant to the management of construction/contracts, including any information which may, at a later, assist in resolving queries or disputes related to the works.
• Preparing and issuing reports, with content and format approved by the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering including inception reports, periodic progress reports, a detailed project completion report, in ‘first draft’ and final
• Preparing technical and cost benefit appraisals, evaluations, and scopes of work, specifications, pricing documentation, and any other relevant reports as may be required from time to time.

Finance and budgetary management

• Preparing comprehensive project budgetary estimates and construction cost estimates for proposed construction works.
• Recommending appropriate courses of action to the Country Director and the Field Engineering Team for engineering, construction and contract management, in relation bonds, insurances, claims, and proposed arrangements for advance payments.
• Maintaining permanent records of the receipt, custody and validity of all bonds, warranties or financial instruments required as part of an engineering/construction project or contract.
• Preparing and managing project budgets and cash flows, including processing invoices and tracking payments for all expenditures related to construction activities.
• Preparing documentation required for dispute resolution with contractors. 
• Recommending appropriate actions to the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering with respect to claims, including but not limited to cost increases, time extensions, variation orders, subletting, quantification of claims, rates and price fixing.
• Processing and certifying interim and final payments for construction activities.
• Preparing Final Accounts for all construction projects for review by the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering.
• Assisting the preparation of responses for enquiries and Audits related to construction activities.

Health & Safety

• Ensuring that construction activities adhere to internationally recognised standards for health and safety applicable for the works, for adjacent properties, for all site personnel, and the general public.
• Notifying the Country Director and WFP Field Engineering of any serious breaches to health and safety rules on the project.
• Reporting of all health & safety incidents, events, ‘near misses’ and accidents in periodic progress reports.

Quality control

• Establishing and maintaining project quality assurance procedures, and project documentation and records.
• Inspecting and approving local sources of construction materials, including local borrow pits or materials suppliers.
• Ordering tests of materials and ensuring adherence to specifications. Approving all materials to be used on the projects. Maintaining permanent records and documentation for all test results and checks.
• Overseeing all necessary on-site, independent and other verifications, tests, checks and measurements to ensure control of quality for the works.
• Assuring the quality of the works during construction, continuously inspecting the materials and construction operations for workmanship and compliance with the specifications.
• Providing notice to contractors of any defects and deficiencies, and issuing instructions for the removal and substitution of defective materials or works under the terms of a contract.
• Other tasks as may be assigned by the Country Director or Chief Engineer, WFP Field Engineering from time to time.

Qualifications and Experience: 

• University Degree in Civil Engineering. 
• A post graduate qualification in engineering, construction or related disciplines is desirable. 
• A minimum of 7 years relevant civil engineering experience, showing progressive levels of responsibility. 
• Experience in the design, planning and supervision of construction projects. 
• A good knowledge and experience of topographical surveying techniques, instrumentation and software packages. 
• A good knowledge and experience of geotechnical engineering and soils technologies. 
• A good knowledge of international and local engineering and construction standards, processes and norms. 
• A good knowledge of engineering contract formats, modalities and obligations. 
• A good knowledge of the UN system and of public procurement procedures. 
• Knowledge/experience in Construction Health and Safety, and Quality Assurance / Control. 
• Fully computer literate, including use of Microsoft Office, MS Project and ‘Autocad’ as essential. 
• Effective communication skills, and fluency in written/spoken English

Interested and qualified Kenyans are requested to submit online applications only according to the following procedures:

• Go to: http://i-recruitment.wfp.org/vacancies/14-0015142
• Step 1 : Create your online CV
• Step 2: Click on “Description” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.

Note: You must complete Step 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
 

If you have any queries relating to this VA please send them to: Nairobi.Hr@wfp.org

WFP is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. 

Only short listed applicants will be contacted.