WFP seeks candidates of the highest integrity and professionalism who share our humanitarian principles.

Selection of staff is made on a competitive basis, and we are committed to promoting diversity and gender balance.

ABOUT WFP

The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian agency fighting hunger worldwide.  The mission of WFP is to help the world achieve Zero Hunger in our lifetimes.  Every day, WFP works worldwide to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry and that the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly women and children, can access the nutritious food they need.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

WFP provides immediate assistance to almost 100 million people in over 80 countries.  WFP Engineering provides direct project support to WFP teams and activities in various country locations.  WFP Engineering at Rome HQ provides a core of competence and expertise in all engineering services and construction activities and guides engineering teams and activities in the field.  These activities include sustainable and enduring infrastructure to support food security, as well as safe, secure, and environmentally efficient offices, living accommodation, and their supporting utilities.

The position reports to the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering.  Position holders may work independently or as members of a team, using technical knowledge and expertise to analyse data, prepare reports, provide advice and solutions, and identify opportunities for improvements.   They may lead multi-disciplinary teams, including engineering staff, and may manage clusters of project partners and stakeholders to deliver engineering services or more complex projects.

Position holders will be required to undertake periods of duty in support of operations in various field locations.

JOB PURPOSE

The position will provide construction and engineering expertise and contribute to the efficient delivery and quality outputs.

The position will be involved in day-to-day management of project proposals, practical engineering design and analytical activities; setting goals and schedules; and managing quality outcomes. Subject to overall guidance, position holders will lead and complete assignments, provide scope of works, contractual frameworks and make recommendations for procurement of engineering services and construction activities.  They shall be required to provide advice on engineering matters, applying the established norms, standards and regulations and provide expertise, making recommendations and contributing to decision-making across a range of daily activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

The duties shall include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide technical advice and support in HQ, or COs on the implementation of WFP policies, standards, norms and practices including procurement procedures related to construction activities and engineering services to ensure that outputs meet the established quality standards and are compliant with wider WFP policies, procedures, guidelines and operations.
• Provide engineering and project management services, apply best practices, standards and innovative technologies, incorporating country-specific technical requirements that comply with WFP standards and processes.
• Manage and conduct analysis of project proposals to ensure business case and technical feasibility and that project objectives are attainable within prescribed resources.
• Conduct engineering site assessments of WFP facilities and develop remedial plans to ensure suitability to operational purposes, safety, and efficiency of structures and equipment in line with WFP policies, criteria and standards.
• Prepare accurate and timely reporting on outputs to facilitate informed decision-making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
• Provide technical guidance that support a successful construction procurement process.
• Participate in discussions with partners, donors and stakeholders, exchange knowledge and experience, keeping abreast of construction and engineering technologies, to ensure implementation of innovative engineering solutions.
• Build the capacity of engineering teams to facilitate the continued development and high performance.
• Establish and maintain relationships and partnerships with internal and external clients to effectively meet clients’ expectations.
• Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitor the management of risks.
• Other as may be assigned by the Chief Engineer or designate from time to time.

OTHER SPECIFIC JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Review and approve simple design solutions and detailed design drawings for engineering services or construction activities; contribute to engineering design checks and reviews for more complex design tasks for WFP projects.
• Lead market researches, undertake, review and analyze feasibility studies, preliminary or detailed designs (preparing, writing and assembling drawings, schematics, masterplans, design calculations and reports, technical specifications) which require a detailed knowledge of the international standards and codes.
• Ensure projects adhere to sustainable and enduring outcomes, and value for money; Manage contracted services or works, ensuring outcomes to budget, quality and time; make recommendations in relation to risk management and the proper application of contractual conditions.
• Team leadership in respect of assigned tasks, where this applies; mentoring and guidance to more junior or more inexperienced staff.Oversee and monitor accurate and timely records and document management; quality assurance and quality control procedures for all assigned tasks.
• Undertake inspections and visits to project teams in the field to review, support or provide guidance to engineering teams in various project locations.

STANDARD MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced University degree in Civil Engineering or related Engineering discipline, or First University degree with additional years or experience and/or advanced training/courses. Accreditation to “Professional Engineer” or “Chartered Engineer” status, or recognized equivalent by an appropriate national or international regulatory authority.

Language: International Professional: Fluency (level C) in English language. Intermediate knowledge (level B) of a second official UN language: Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish, and/or WFP’s working language, Portuguese.

EXPERIENCES FOR ENTRY INTO THE ROLE

• Candidates will require a minimum of 5 years of relevant post-graduate engineering experience on medium/large engineering and construction projects; or with a multi-disciplinary engineering design and project management organisation, at increasing levels of responsibility.
• Position holders will have achieved accreditation as ”Professional Engineer”, “Chartered Engineer” or recognised equivalent from an appropriate and recognised national, or international body.
• Candidates should be able to demonstrate that they have;
• Worked on a number of design and/or construction projects and have taken responsibility for work elements which have been assigned.
• Contributed to projects requiring a knowledge of engineering specialisations in relation to blast, environmental, fire safety, geotechnical or seismic requirements.
• Proven experience in engineering design, quality control, and supervision of works;
• Proven experience in leading critical aspects of the project management cycle.
• Proven experience of public procurement processes; international contract formats and construction management procedures.
• A high level of computer literacy, as well as competency and practical knowledge of AutoCAD 2D, digital surveying techniques and software, and Microsoft Project.
• Experience of working within or for the Humanitarian Community will be an advantage.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Mobility is, and continues to be, a core contractual requirement in WFP. The selected candidate will be employed on a Fixed-Term contract with a probationary period of one year.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. For more details, please visit icsc.un.org.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

18 February 2021

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Female applicants and qualified applicants from developing countries are especially encouraged to apply

WFP has zero tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.