The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian agency, fighting hunger worldwide. We are seeking to fill an Engineer position at the P4 level, based in our Country Office Khartoum, Sudan.
WFP Sudan currently has several streams of engineering and construction or engineering activities in critical areas:
- Road and related infrastructure construction, upgrade and maintenance.
- Warehouse and fleet workshop construction, upgrade and maintenance.
- Accommodation and field office facilities for humanitarian staff and partner organisations.
Under the general supervision and guidance of the Country Director, or designate, and other technical direction of the Chief Engineer and WFP Engineering in Rome-HQ, the Engineer will be responsible for the following key duties:
Responsibilities and reporting
- Overall normative and technical direction by the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering at Rome HQ, in all technical or contractual matters, and shall provide overall engineering leadership and management in relation to work programs in WFP Sudan Country Office.
- Manage and conduct analysis of project proposals to ensure business case and technical feasibility and that project objectives are attainable within the prescribed resources and timelines.
- Lead the preparation of accurate and timely reports on outputs to enable informed decision making and consistency of information presented to the stakeholders.
- Provide expert guidance to ensure a successful construction procurement process.
- Take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives in all areas of work, to ensure equal participation of women and men.
- Contribute to preparedness actions, providing technical recommendations and guidance and monitor the management of risks.
- Manage all programs of engineering services or construction related work in accordance with policies and guidelines, and manage staff teams of engineers and other professional disciplines, to ensure the implementation of all stages of work programs.
- Provide a consistent management while provision is made of possible future Project Management structures and position.
Managing relationships
- Managing relationships with donor counterparts and stakeholders to ensure that they are full informed of, and engaged with projects at all times.
- Managing relationships with a range of internal client units and operational teams to ensure coordination.
- Build and reinforce strong partnerships with internal and external clients to effectively identify and meet clients’ expectations.
- Managing all engagements with National and State Government partners, related to programs of work, to ensure that they are full engaged with and appraised of projects.
Project Development
- Developing project proposals and associated documentation for donors and government, to secure funding for projects.
- Developing proposals and infrastructure projects which have a positive impact on food security for the communities which WFP serves.
- Representing WFP, the CO and WFP Engineering where required, in meetings with government, donors and stakeholders and presenting a full and positive image of WFP and its work. This may include attending meetings, seminars, and preparing and delivering presentations or workshops as required.
- Represent WFP at international meetings and conferences, lead discussions with partners, donors and other stakeholders, exchange knowledge and experience, keeping abreast of construction and engineering technologies, to ensure implementation of innovative engineering solutions.
Team Management
- Recruiting, establishing and managing project supervision teams and technical design/supervision firms for the projects.
- With the assistance of WFP Human Resources and WFP Engineering, establishing terms of reference for team members; overseeing vacancy announcements; interviewing potential candidates and making recommendations to the Country Director and the Chief Engineer, WFP Engineering on suitably qualified candidates.
- Supervising performance on a continuous basis, mentoring and staff development, and resolving disagreements between staff.
- Lead the capacity building, mentoring and career development of staff teams to ensure the continued development and high performance.
Project Management and Reporting
- Establishing and maintaining project schedules, performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting until project completion.
- Preparing periodic reports in a format to be agreed with donors and the Country Director, for circulation to donors, partners and stakeholders.
Qualifications & Experience Required Education:
- Advanced University degree in Civil Engineering, or First University degree with additional years or experience and/or advanced training/courses;
- Strong preference: Accreditation to “Professional Engineer” or “Chartered Engineer” status, or recognised equivalent by an appropriate national or international regulatory authority.
Experience:
- At least eight years or more of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in managing a large-scale engineering or construction services;
- Of which, at least 3 years of international experience - must include Africa experience, as well as working in difficult security environments;
- Strong experience in managing and successfully completing complex civil engineering or public infrastructure programs;
- Strong experience in managing public procurement procedures;
- Strong experience working with construction contracts and contract management obligations, using FIDIC or MDB formats;
- Strong experience in financial management of high value construction projects and final account procedures;
- Strong experience in engineering and construction Quality Assurance/Control mechanisms and procedures;
- Good experience in planning and managing feasibility and constraints studies, and the application of environmental management procedures and impact assessment methodologies;
- Strong experience in managing ‘Health and Safety’ practices and systems in engineering activities in developing;
- Strong preference for work and living experience in hardship locations.
Technical Skills & Knowledge:
- Solid understanding of specialised engineering technologies, civil engineering, geotechnical and topographical surveys and assessments.
Language:
- Fluency in oral and written English with an intermediate knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) or Portuguese (one of WFP’s working languages).
Deadline Closing Date:
- 7 August 2017
HOW TO APPLY:
Step 1: Register and create your online CV.
Step 2: Click on “View Vacancy” to read the position requirements and “Apply” to submit your application.
NOTE: You must complete Step 1 and 2 in order for your application to be considered for this vacancy.
