Engineering Analyst, NPSA8 – National Position

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so that countries can sustain progress. As the United Nations’ development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In Ukraine, UNDP operates in five programmatic areas of support: government capacities for crisis response and management; sustaining provision of public services; emergency works facilitating return and reconstruction; incomes, livelihoods and the private sector response; and civil society and maintenance of the social fabric.

The war in Ukraine has resulted in significant loss of life; unprecedented displacement, internally and towards neighbouring countries; and devastating destruction of infrastructure. Currently, more than 50% of the energy infrastructure is damaged, causing a massive disruption of the energy supply nationwide, with millions of people experiencing power outages and challenges in heating. Eighteen years of socio-economic achievements in Ukraine are at risk. UNDP’s core engagement is to preserve development gains as fully as possible, and to return Ukraine to pathways towards achieving the SDGs as quickly as possible.

Building on the outcomes of the Ukraine Early Recovery Programme (UERP) – multisector framework loan from the European Investment Bank being implemented from 2015 and targeting the investments in the reconstruction of social municipal infrastructure in the Eastern Ukraine, the new Ukraine Recovery Programme (URP) started in late 2021 aimed at supporting follow-up EUR 340 million investments in critical public infrastructure in areas affected by the war. At the beginning of the URP, it was expected that the programme would cover the same regions as it was under UERP. Following the military aggression in Ukraine, the URP implementing partners have agreed to expand the Programme to the territories under the control of the Government of Ukraine, regions where there are no active hostilities (territories with a lower risk of recurrence of hostilities) and those that accept a significant number of IDPs. The priority is given to URP sub-projects aimed at recovery of the most critical social infrastructure (schools, hospitals, water treatment) and housing for IDPs in the conflict-affected areas (de-occupied regions of Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Sumy, Chernihiv oblasts, city of Kyiv, and supporting Vinnytsia, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, Odesa, Poltava, and Cherkasy oblasts) to provide decent living conditions for displaced people and host communities.

The first phase of the URP started in August 2022 with the announcement of the first call of proposals according to the renewed criteria and to select of the most urgent and critically important applications from the final beneficiaries of target oblasts and the city of Kyiv. As of now, the first batch of sub-projects was approved for implementation within URP.

Within the framework agreements with the MCTID, UNDP is providing Technical Assistance (TA) to the EIB’s UERP and URP framework loans considering the similarity of both programs, their joint principles, and approaches to implementation (“Project”). UNDP is committed to strengthening the implementation of the UERP and URP through technical support for the effective management of sub-projects during the main active phases of the project cycle, including planning, design, procurement, construction work, and monitoring as well as providing regular consultations to the UERP/URP final beneficiaries and local stakeholders. Thus, the TA Project is aimed at contributing to the social and economic recovery of the targeted war-affected regions of Ukraine.

The incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

I.     Ensure effective Project planning and implementation

• Ensure the implementation of Project activities and delivery of results responding to the needs and experiences of both women and men, in accordance with the Project document, work plans and agreements between the EIB and UNDP.
• Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents to ensure timely commencement and execution of component activities. 
• Provide technical assistance to the client in terms of civil engineering requirements during the contracting, implementation, supervision, and monitoring stages.
• Support client specialists responsible for technical supervision in planning activities within the client organization, ensuring alignment with project documents and UNDP’s programmatic priorities and goals, and in compliance with the national rules and regulations.

II.    Oversee construction quality assurance. Monitor and report on progress.

• Monitor the quality of materials, workmanship, and adherence to safety protocols throughout the construction phase.
• Regularly review construction progress, address issues or deviations promptly, and facilitate necessary modifications.
• Maintain detailed records of all construction activities, including photographs, drawings, and test results.
• Provide regular progress reports to the project stakeholders, highlighting issues, deviations, or safety concerns.
• Ensure construction and installation works follow the work schedule and prepare necessary data for reporting to the EIB and client.
• Collaborate with technical supervision to ensure executive documentation is present at facilities, including quality certificates for materials used, work execution logs, etc.
• Participate in biweekly meetings with UNDP and other stakeholders to discuss progress, technical matters, and delays.
• Take measures to prevent and eliminate defects and propose efficient use of available resources.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical documentation and assist in preparing monthly/annual progress reports.
• Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, promote a safe and discrimination-free environment, and use gender-responsive communications in line with UNDP corporate standards.

III.  Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing

• Identify and document best practices and lessons learned in construction management and civil engineering related to infrastructure recovery projects.
• Contribute to knowledge networks, experience-sharing, and public events in construction management and civil engineering within recovery projects.
• Participate in training for the programme/project personnel to support professional growth through active learning.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Institutional Arrangement

The Engineering Analyst will work under direct supervision of the Engineering Specialist and overall guidance of the National Project Manager.

• Experience and sound knowledge of civil engineering and modern construction technology.
• H&S, Environment, understanding of any kind of possible impact of man-made threats on the sub-station and its surroundings.
• Experience with and excellent knowledge of technical specifications and performance schedules of construction and installation works.
• Experience with and knowledge of quality control procedures.
• Familiarity with national legislation, norms and standards related to construction works, including critical infrastructures.
• Excellent usage of computers and office software packages, including engineering design software.

• Experience in the field of engineering supervision will be considered an asset. 
• Experience in civil engineering, with a focus on designing, monitoring civil engineering projects, and/or protective structures, and/or economic infrastructure, will be considered a significant advantage.
• Prior experience with UN Agencies, International Organizations or in projects financed by international donors in the field of engineering and on other technical issues will be an advantage.
• Experience working with local partners at the national and municipal level in the international development context will be an advantage.

• Fluency in English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian is required for local personnel.

• Professional engineering certificates.