Project Engineer

Details

Mission and objectives

In Tajikistan, UNDP contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development both by working on the central policy level and by supporting local level development. At the policy level, UNDP and its sister UN agencies have been active in supporting the Government of Tajikistan to align its development planning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and bring innovative solution to the national development plans and implementation schemes. At the local level UNDP supports implementation of national development priorities helping communities to become more resilient and to reduce disparities related to geographic location, social context, and gender. UNDP’s Sustainable Economic Development Cluster (SED) is an integrated portfolio of projects that addresses issues affecting the lives of vulnerable groups of people on the ground in a holistic and cross-disciplinary manner, aiming at the sustainable economic growth and sustainable livelihoods of people of the country. UNDP SED Cluster supports localization and operationalization of the SDGs and the implementation of Tajikistan’s National Development Strategy 2030 and Mid-Term Development Programmes. The mission of UNDP SED Cluster is to support achievement of the CPD Outcome 2 in terms of promoting decent and productive employment, improved access to specialized knowledge and innovation and more favourable business environment especially for entrepreneurs and farmers.

Context

UNDP has been active in Tajikistan since 1994 and has supported the Government and people of Tajikistan through delivery of programmes focused on poverty reduction, economic development, governance, human rights and rule of law, environmental protection, climate change and DRR. UNDP provides upstream policy support and community-based development to marginalized rural populations with the aim of addressing Inequalities of opportunities and promoting more effective, equitable and sustainable development. UNDP delivers on its programme through its presence in Dushanbe and at sub-national level. In January 2023 UNDP in Tajikistan has launched the ‘“The Project for Promoting Effective Border Management Applying a Human Security Approach for Communities of Border Area with Afghanistan to support the Government of Tajikistan to maintain an ‘open but secure’ approach to the Tajik-Afghan border that defends and extends the human security of border communities. Continuing the capacity development of border agencies achieved under previous UNDP Border Management initiatives, the new project seeks to inform policy making, strengthen coordination, and build capacities of State agencies for border security, facilitation of economic exchange in border areas while strengthening security, building, and/or expanding digital border, customs and trade facilitation systems. The project will continue to improve border management of the Tajik-Afghan border to ensure that it is open but secure, flexible and prepared for all potential scenarios, including facilitation of humanitarian assistance, emergency refugee response, and maintenance of public health, while able to deliver on its positive potential to promote food security and improved economic livelihoods for the local communities that live on both sides. The project is funded by the Government of Japan through Japanese Agency for International Cooperation (JICA) and is implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tajik Border Force, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade, Customs Service and Drug Control Agency. It also ensures close synergies with the Japan funded Livelihoods Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-Border Areas (LITACA) project of UNDP. The project is implemented along the Tajik-Afghan border. Main challenges of the project implementation environment are related to security in bordering regions, climate and remoteness. Furthermore, UNVs are encouraged to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications. They should actively participate in UNV activities, such as events that mark International Volunteer Day (IVD). • Familiarize themselves with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Engage in reflection on the type and quality of voluntary action they are undertaking. This includes participating in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles or write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme, offering support and guidance to newly arrived UNVs. • Promote or provide advice to local groups on the use of online volunteering. They should also encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the overall supervision of the Team Leader for Governance, Rule of Law and Human Rights and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the UN Volunteer Project Engineer will: Task 1: Planning and design of infrastructure projects. - Organize and conduct assessment in accordance with the Project Document along the Tajik Afghan border to identify infrastructure needs and priorities of national partners in the field. - Conducting physical assessment for rehabilitation of existing buildings; prepare fixed schedule of renovation works and procurement of goods according to UNDP procurement guides; Estimate costs, prepare specifications for materials, and prepare Bill of Quantities. Conducting assessment to construct water supply systems at communities. - Assisting in the review of the quality of the executed work, built-in materials and verify that the quality responds to related regulations and specifications. - Intervene to resolve civil works related problems and recommend corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work and managing these corrections upon the approval by the Project Manager. - Provide early warning to the Project Manager of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the civil works, procurement of goods and etc.. - Collection, analysis, and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports. Task 2:.Procurement - Review infrastructure design and BOQs to ensure compliance with UNDP procurement requirements, construction/rehabilitation policy, and related formatting. - In close cooperation with project and procurement staff, initiate tendering process for involvement of design and/or construction companies for service delivery. - Provide technical expertise and assistance to the project activities requiring engineering services (preparation of drawings for rehabilitation of building, facilitating tender processes, and contract management of infrastructure projects); - Participate in tender evaluation process to provide engineering inputs in assessing received bids and provide feedback/advice to panel members. Task 3: Monitoring - Develop detailed field monitoring plans, conducing regular and close monitoring of activities at the project sites, and ensure timely reporting and follow up on the outcomes of field visits. - Assess potential risks, check, and certify quality of materials and market costs related to the constructions/renovations. - Monitor the work of subcontractors to ensure rehabilitation works are proceeding according to the agreed schedule; oversee rehabilitation/construction works to ensure UNDP organizational standards are being upheld. - Develop and maintain current project databases, maintain proper paper and electronic filing systems, contributing to tracking the project budgets by analyzing all related costs. - Ensure timely and appropriate hand over of infrastructure objects to the beneficiaries. - Carrying out other duties as required by management.