Quantity Surveyor (Construction Cost Planner)

Result of Service

Successful delivery of the third component of this project, the construction of new office facilities within the stipulated budget, time and quality standards.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This position is located within the Replacement of Office Blocks A-J capital construction project at UNON, Facilities Management (FMTS), Central Support Services (CSS), Division of Administrative Services (DAS). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, reporting to the Chief, Facilities Management Section and under the overall supervision of the Chief, Central Support Services. The incumbent will be responsible for the successful delivery of the third component of this project, the construction of new office facilities within the stipulated budget, time and quality standards. • Executes surveys and measurements for existing and new buildings and infrastructure project components, produces cost estimates, bills of quantities and schedules of rates to support client review and decision making, tender preparation and formal bid out of builders, structural, civil mechanical, electrical and plumbing related works. • Develops technical costs related data regarding materials, sizes, dimensions, and quantities and costs to be incorporated in formal project tender documents. • Estimates costs for construction of new and refurbishment of existing buildings, facilities and infrastructure systems to determine the feasibility of construction, repairs or replacement. • Liaises with other engineers and facilities/ construction specialists responsible for related specialized phases to arrive at mutually satisfactory approaches to problems by exchanging and comparing costs related data. • Conducts investigations to support preparation of cost estimates related to improved designs and construction techniques. • Produces cost data and estimates on engineering-related requirements of current and planned facilities and construction project related activities, as well as furniture, fittings and equipment. • Analyzes project proposals, contractors’ valuations, quotations, claims for payment, and construction change order/ variation requests to ensure completeness, technical feasibility, cost efficiency, market equivalence and to ensure that project objectives are attainable within prescribed resources. • Conducts research on new technical systems to facilitate cost estimation, to identify and support implementation of improved methods and equipment, including the evaluation of product and equipment lifecycle related costs (construction and maintenance). • Records, manage and control project costs to ensure completion within budget, time and quality standards. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Supervises, as part of the project management team, the project phases related to construction, handover, commissioning and closure of the A-J new premises in coordination with the Engineer and the Main contractor. • Performs any other related duties as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in quantity surveying, construction cost planner, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, architecture, facilities management or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Professional certification and registration with relevant field related professional institutes is desirable. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in quantity surveying, construction cost planner, civil, mechanical or electrical engineering, architecture, facilities management or related area is required. Experience in real estate/facilities project preparation (including tender documentation, scope of requirement, cost estimates, bills of quantities, schedules of rates, technical specifications), project implementation and supervision (including construction contract administration, payment valuations, change order) and project closure, handover and commissioning, is required. Proficiency in AutoCAD (or Revit) is required. Experience working in the UN systems or other international organizations on capital construction or facilities management related projects is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of equals a rating of’ confident” in two of the four areas.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.