Civil Engineer (Coastal Engineering) – ICS-09 – Kiribati

UNOPS South East Asia Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO)

The South East Asia and Pacific Multi Country Office (EAPMCO) supports, develops and oversees the UNOPS portfolio of projects in South East Asia and the Pacific. EAPMCO was established in January 2023 following the merger of the Thailand Multi-Country Office, which covered 20 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific, and the Cambodia Multi-Country Office, which covered 4 countries South East Asia – 3 countries in the Mekong Sub-region (Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam) and the Philippines. EAPMCO currently covers 24 countries across North East Asia, South East Asia and the Pacific. With its head office in Bangkok, the Multi-Country Office comprises nine business units: SEMCO Thailand, EAPMCO Indonesia, EAPMCO Pacific Operations Cluster, EAPMCO Papua New Guinea, EAPMCO China, EAPMCO Vietnam, EAPMCO Lao PDR, EAPMCO Philippines and EAPMCO Cambodia.

In 2023, the UNOPS EAPMCO implemented projects worth more than USD 75 million, in the areas of Energy Transition, Digital Transformations, Sustainable Environmental Management, Climate Change, Waste Management, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Post Conflict Reintegration, Emergency Relief, Post COVID19 Economic Transformations, and Health, through HR, procurement, construction, contract management, fund and program management services.

The Multi Country Office head office in Bangkok provides strategic direction, operational support, delivery oversight and assurance of the excellence of business processes and quality standards across all of the entire Multi Country Office locations. It is also responsible for developing, delivering and managing the portfolio of engagements in the country of the MCO location itself.

UNOPS in Kiribati

UNOPS has established a project office in Tarawa, Kiribati, to support the Australia Kiribati Climate Security Initiative (AKCSI). The AKCSI grant agreement, executed in 2023 between the Government of Australia (DFAT) and UNOPS, aims to implement inclusive and resilient coastal protection solutions in Tarawa, enhancing Kiribati’s resilience to climate change.

Civil Engineer role

The civil engineer will ensure project continuity during the project manager’s leave, increasing stakeholder confidence in the project’s success and fund utilization. They will act as a liaison between suppliers, consultants, grantees, local authorities, and the community, facilitating communication, leading pre-bid visits, and assisting in obtaining necessary permits.

Functional Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

1. Technical Support
2. Coordination Support
3. Knowledge Management

1. Technical Support

• Contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, and updating of the project plans and strategies in order to ensure delivery according to the scope budget, and time
• Assist the Project Manager in the preparation of bid documents to contract firms responsible for providing technical services (technical studies, design services, and works) as required
• Support the evaluation and selection of firms
• Supervise technical studies and investigations at the sites
• Assist the Project Manager in managing the rapid assessments at the sites
• Assist the Project Manager in managing the design and the review process by working very closely with design services consultant and reviewers
• Monitor construction activities and implementation of nature-based solutions
• Work with firms and contractors on ensuring HSSE protocols and measures are implemented and standards are met
• Supervise the quality of the construction materials and collected attest documentation
• Provide technical support during project closure and defects notification period

2. Coordination Support

• Act as the communication bridge between technical teams and local communities/stakeholders
• Support the PM in the management of communications and ensure stakeholders are aware of project activities, progress, and exceptions and are in a position to accept handover products
• Participate and represent UNOPS in technical working groups
• Provide continuity and leadership coverage for the project manager when necessary

3. Knowledge Management

• Assist in technical mentorship, the project goal of transfer of knowledge to local engineers
• Contribute to the consolidation, dissemination, and sharing of best practices and lessons learned for development planning and knowledge-building
• Conducting on-site training for the contractor’s technical staff to improve the technical knowledge of the engineers

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• An advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in relevant fields is required preferably in coastal engineering, civil engineering, or other related fields.
• A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the above-mentioned fields with two (2) additional years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree or higher degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, Project/Programme Management, or other related fields with an advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) is required.
• Experience working in engineering project teams and working in a multi-project environment is desirable
• Experience working on coastal protection projects in Kiribati or the Pacific Islands is highly desirable
• Experience in FIDIC contracts management is highly valued
• Experience in the implementation of nature-based solutions for coastal protection is an added advantage

Certification:

• Professional license and or registration with a recognized professional body or institution is an asset
• Project management certification (for example PRINCE2® Foundation) would be an asset

Language Requirements:

• Fluency (full working knowledge) in written and oral English required.
• Knowledge of another official UNOPS language is an asset

Contract type, level and duration

1. Contract type: Local Individual Contract Agreement (LICA)
2. Contract level: ICS 9 / LICA-9
3. Contract duration: 24 months with a possibility of extension

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Open only to Kiribati nationals or with valid residence.