Project Officer (Infrastructure)

Position Title : Project Officer (Infrastructure)

Duty Station : Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P3

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Closing Date : 09 March 2021

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. Read more about diversity and inclusion at IOM at www.iom.int/diversity.

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. Candidates from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People’s Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states.

Context:

Violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, which began on 25 August 2017 has driven an estimated 655,500 Rohingya across the border into Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The large influx of Rohingya is placing tremendous stress on the natural resource base in and around the refugee settlements, with far-reaching impacts on biodiversity, agro-forestry, water sources and air quality. Compounded by climate change, these impacts are generating new disaster risks which threaten lives and livelihoods of both refugees and host communities in an already fragile environment and displacement setting.

As part of scaling up its capacity to address these issues, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Cox’s Bazar is implementing different projects to support local government in enhancing the resilience capacities of host community and Rohingya refugee’ population in Cox’s Bazar and in Bangladesh in general.

Much of the infrastructure and public buildings in Cox’s Bazar was in a desperate condition even before the refugee influx. Recurring disaster, lack of maintenance and limited funding capacities has worsened the condition of these infrastructures and public buildings. Therefore, for IOM, support on small to medium scale investments for improving critical infrastructure and equipment to improve the competency and absorptive capacity of host communities is very critical.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Assistance & Operations and the direct supervision of the Infrastructure Coordinator, the successful candidate will assist the programme implementation, supervision and monitoring of rehabilitation, reconstruction, enhancement and retrofitting works of small to medium scale health facilities and community buildings projects. S/he will work closely with different team members within the unit and coordinate with other relevant units within IOM. S/he will ensure adequate planning and execution of community-based rehabilitation/reconstruction/enhancement/retrofitting works.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. Lead the technical aspects of relevant infrastructure/construction projects and in the technical area of responsibility, including but not limited to assessment, design and technical specifications, Bill of Quantity (BoQ) calculations, scheduling, tendering and contracting in accordance to the relevant international/national standards.

2. Oversee the management and implementation of construction projects to ensure that the scope, budget, timeframe and quality are in accordance to project specifications, donor and stakeholders’ requirements and IOM rules and regulations.

3. Develop and implement infrastructure project, standards, monitoring mechanisms, quality assurance mechanisms, and construction specifications in respective technical fields. Provide guidance and advice on quality control and other technical areas to the technical support staff in the field.

4. Lead the tender evaluation process including assessment of bidders’ qualifications, competency and experience, and in analysing and reviewing the quoted unit rates against IOM-prepared cost estimates and technical specifications.

5. Manage and monitor technically and administratively the whole of the specified Infrastructure projects team. Ensure that adequate and relevant capacity building is provided to the members of the team.

6. Undertake regular field visits to all rehabilitation/reconstruction/enhancement project sites to monitor, evaluate and oversee the activities implemented by partners/contractors and take necessary action to achieve quality standard of engineering design.

7. Ensure accurate record keeping, construction inspections and quality audits. Ensure that drawings and records of actual quantities maintained are kept up to date and variations and addendums are issued correctly.

8. Report on various aspects of projects, including financial, technical and schedule compliance, and ensure the provision of information and documentation as required.

9. Respond to internal and external information requests and inquiries regarding different programmes and activities.

10. Prepare various reports to the donor as well as project proposals.

11. Substantively contribute to operational planning for emergency preparedness and response, and hazard mitigation / disaster risk reduction initiatives.

12. Perform management activities for multiple construction projects, including those implemented in remote locations, and work with multi-disciplinary project teams.

13. Ensure that local communities and/or relevant authorities have been consulted on all activities and that all necessary approvals have been granted prior to the execution of projects.

14. Establish and maintain coordination and collaborative relationships with communities, local government authorities, local contractors, United Nations (UN) agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), donors and other key stakeholders.

15. Promote the sustainability of technical interventions through local capacity building and self-help in collaboration with local partners in the field.

16. Identify problems and innovative solutions in infrastructure programme implementation and take action to resolve issues in coordination with the Infrastructure Coordinator.

17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Architecture, Civil, Structural and Building Engineering, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with minimum five years of relevant professional experience; or

• University degree in the above fields with seven years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience with International Organizations and/or NGOs in management including but not limited to construction management;

• Sound knowledge and experience in rehabilitation/reconstruction/retrofitting and design, direct construction supervision, contract administration, surveying and levelling, quantity surveying;

• Experience in applying engineering expertise to construction projects in developing countries in humanitarian and or development context, preferably those funded by donors;

• Experience and ability to produce and/or check the drawings including but not limited to site plans, architectural, structural and drawings, cost estimation, BOQ and other layout plans which may be presented by prospective contractor(s);

• Good knowledge and experience in the construction and/or rehabilitation of health facilities and community buildings are highly desirable;

• Good knowledge and experience in the disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness and response context is a plus;

• Experience working within the region is an advantage;

• Experience in building structural design, computer aided drawing, and common engineering-related software is a plus.

Skills

• Knowledge on procurement processes and contract management would be an asset.

• Coordination and negotiation skills with a range of different stakeholders including local authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, Clusters/Sectors.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with working experience in liaising with governmental authorities and local communities as well as national and international institutions including demonstrated ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries.

• Organisation and project cycle management skills.

• Technical Infrastructure expertise.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of Bangla, Rohingya Refugees (Rakhine State), Spanish and/or French is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

1

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.

• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.

• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.

• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.

• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.

• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.

• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.

• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.

• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency…

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates endorsed by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.