Engineering Associate (NPSA-6), 70% part-time

Belgrade

Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
Location: Belgrade
Grade: Administrative support - NPSA-6, National Personnel Services Agreement
Occupational Groups:
- Engineering
Closing Date: 2024-12-22

Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a ‘leave no one behind’ approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Serbia supports the Government of Serbia to comply with international conventions and European Union regulations on climate change, adaptation and mitigation, emission-reduction, and promotion of the transition to low-emission and climate-resilient development. Within the Environment and Climate Change Portfolio, UNDP work includes assisting the Government in enhancing the circular economy and waste reduction, reuse, and recycling.

UNDP Serbia, acting as an implementing agency of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is supporting the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP) to implement the five-year project “Reducing Community Carbon Footprint by a Circular Economy Approach in the Republic of Serbia”, jointly financed by the GEF, Ministry and UNDP.

The objective of the Project is to reduce community carbon footprint through advancement of circular economy (CE) in Serbia, by supporting: i) the establishment of an enabling policy and institutional framework aligned with the EU CE policies with related training and other capacity building of the key stakeholders and by fostering broad community participation in developing and implementing those policies; ii) the establishment of a Low Carbon Communities Innovation Platform (LCCIP) to source and support the development and implementation of new resource efficient circular economy related business ideas, products, investments and process improvements; iii) selected pilot CE investments by using the LCCIP and CE challenge calls and UNDP Low-Value Performance - Based Payments linked to them; and iv) scaling up the project results by related knowledge gathering, dissemination and public outreach activities.

This position is related to pilot CE investments, and related infrastructure works.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Coordinator, the Engineering Associate has the responsibility to support infrastructure activities related to the design, supervision and quality assurance. The Engineering Associate should provide technical expertise and support assuring that the projects produce the results specified in the Project Documents for the infrastructure components, to the required standard of quality and within the specified constraints of time and cost.

Specific responsibilities will include assistance in the implementation of activities with the aim of achieving the following project results:

Assisting in production of infrastructure project design documentation such as pre-feasibility and feasibility study, preliminary design, main design, revision of design documentation.
Facilitation of needs assessment process with the beneficiary, support in design of tender documentation, preparation and execution of tender processes for procurement of goods and services, according to donor and national procurement guides, provide inputs for contracts for goods and services.
Assisting in supervision of project design development process, coordination and supervision of construction works.
Suggest and advise on how to resolve problems and/or conflicts and recommend corrections in terms of design, materials or the quality of work and managing these corrections upon the approval by the Project Coordinator.
Support during the on-site monitoring of quality and quantities of works, costs, schedule, safety and environment issues, in full compliance with the applicable laws, bylaws, regulations, technical standards and legal requirements in the Republic of Serbia.
Support to project management of civil works with adherent installations aimed at energy efficiency improvements, and related environmental management issues.
Reporting on on-site monitoring.
Provide early warning to the Project Coordinator of potential problems and/or critical issues regarding the infrastructure improvement and execution of the works.
Collection, analysis and presentation of background information for preparation of project annual work plans and progress reports.
Providing inputs for creation of project monitoring and evaluation framework.
Ensuring full compliance of activities with established project management rules, regulations, and policies.
Drafting correspondence on project engineering issues for Project Coordinator, as required.
Liaising with contractors, municipalities and other partners on project matters

Institutional Arrangement

Engineering Associate will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Coordinator and in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection.

Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.
Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.
Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.
Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.
Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.
Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.
Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross Functional and Technical competencies:

Business Direction and Strategy - Effective Decision Making
- Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources
Business Management – Monitoring
- Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results
Digital & Innovation - Tech literacy
- Ability to apply new digital tools or adapting their original use to create new insights, fresh perspectives or develop solutions. Understand the potential as well as the limitations of certain technological developments; being able to identify how technology can add value when it's used as a "means to an end".
Digital & Innovation - Systems thinking & transformation
- Understand that complex problems need a non-reductionistic, holistic approach. Ability to explore challenges from multiple perspectives by zooming in and out, with a focus on relationships and flows rather than individual elements; understand how certain dynamics and conditions are driving and influencing an issue.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Secondary education.
Bachelor’s Degree in civil engineering – in particular hydraulic and environmental engineering, would be desirable.

Experience:

At least 6 years of relevant experience (with secondary education) in construction-related project management, in particular in the fields of:
- Construction Engineering – including structural designs engineering;
- Water Supply and Sewerage Engineering;
- Low Rise Civil Engineering works – including traffic infrastructure works.
Alternatively, if in possession of Bachelor’s degree, 3 years of relevant working experience would be required.

Required skills:

Good organizational and time management skills.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Demonstrates integrity by modeling ethical standards.
Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to critical feedback.
Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors.
Excellent information technology skills, including word processing, database applications, presentation software, and internet
Ability to work under very tight deadlines.
Evidence of ability to express ideas clearly; to work independently and in team
Ability to summarize and systematize complex information
Ability to deliver when working under pressure and within changing circumstances
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude Excellent negotiating and leadership skills
Responsible, communicative, well-organized, team-oriented person
Ability to demonstrate a sense of self-assuredness.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Desired skills:

Experience in preparation of tender documentation, design activities for large infrastructure projects and/or water treatment plants.
Experience in projects that requires knowledge of FIDIC and PRAG procedures, CEB, KfW and IFI’s rules and regulations.
Experience in preparation of design in accordance with the Law on Planning and Construction requirements especially in preparation of hydrotechnical books.
Certified user of AutoCAD.
Possession of certificate on passed exam of the Ministry of Interior on fire protection would be considered as an advantage.
Proficiency in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.
Knowledge of national legislation.
Familiarity with Law on Planning and Construction requirements.
Knowledge of BIM would be an advantage.
Work experience in international organization and/or government institution would be an asset.

Languages:

Fluency in English and Serbian is a requirement.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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