Civil Engineer

Mission and objectivesThe primary role of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is to support country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work of UNDP in 170 countries around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to our two critical roles at country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners. In Syria, UNDP has adopted a highly principled approach to the delivery of its mandate in providing critical support to crisis-affected communities. Acknowledging the sensitivities of the operational context, UNDP’s activities in Syria are further informed by bespoke measures to mainstream a do-no-harm approach based on a thorough context analysis, to ensure effective safeguarding measures are applied across all areas of operation in response to the challenges of the Syrian context.

ContextOver the last 14 years, the population has suffered catastrophic losses; the displacement of 14 million citizens from their homes; a collective grief for the half a million lives lost in conflict; despair for those who were missing, detained or imprisoned for their political opposition. Syrians have lived through the severity of a protracted crisis with no real signs of a political solution, existing within a complete lack of accountability for the suffering endured. In response to the evolving situation in Syria after 8 December 2024, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has developed an Immediate and Mid-Term Scenario-Based Offer, outlining targeted activities to address the needs of the immediate and mid-term transition period (1 to 3 years) in the following three priority domains: (1) Governance and Basic services, (2) Socio-economic Recovery, and (3) Infrastructure Rehabilitation. UNDP is committed to supporting Syria’s peaceful political transition and development, in line with the UNCT-led Syria Transition Planning Process and the recently launched Early Recovery Strategy 2024-2028. UNDP will provide demand-driven support by responding to the evolving needs of the governments in creating inclusive, effective and accountable governance for sustainable recovery and development. In this context, UNDP Syria is looking for a Civil Engineer who can support UNDP’s immediate interventions in socio-economic recovery and resilience. This UNV assignment is part of UNDP Syria’s efforts to promote volunteerism and ultimately increase the capacity to respond to the various technical assistance demands from its counterparts.

Task DescriptionUnder the supervision of the Head of Project Management Unit in close coordination with the Project Managers, Area Managers, Procurement and Operations Units, the UNV Civil Engineer will: 1) Crucially participate in the assessment processes of the targeted locations in order to identify the needed plan including the procedures, items and equipment. 2) Ensure timely submission of the required Bill of Quantities (BoQs) of the relevant renovation and construction activities in coordination and cooperation with the technical teams from the Authority. 3) Respond to queries from the Procurement Unit and review committees related to BoQs and technical specifications. 4) Participate in pre-bid meetings and respond to queries from the bidders if related to BoQs and technical specifications. 5) Participate in Technical Review panels for submitted bids and review all bids against the approved BoQs and technical specifications. 6) To supervise all locations of building and provide updates, and recommendations to UNDP accordingly as required. 7) Monitor activities with NGOs and contractors and report the progress to the project management. 8) Coordinate between UNDP, Authorities and civil society on all the ongoing activities including areas, assessment, implementation and operation. 9) Perform the “Engineer” role with the involved Contractors and/or NGOs. 10) To satisfy the reporting and monitoring requirements by UNDP CO.

Competencies and values• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

Living conditions and remarksAs this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Specialist Volunteers in Syria are entitled to: • Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) at the amount of USD 919 • Well-being differential USD 275.7 • Annual and learning leaves; • Free Medical and life insurance; • Free access to different learning platforms. For more information on UN Volunteer benefits, entitlements and support, please visit: https://www.unv.org/volunteer-your-country-conditions-service UN Volunteers should be provided equal duty of care as extended to all host entity personnel. Host entity support to the UN Volunteer includes, but is not limited to: • Introductory briefings about the organisation and office-related context including security, emergency procedures, good cultural practice and orientation to the local environment; • Support with arrival administration including setting-up of bank accounts, residence permit applications and completion of other official processes as required by the host government or host entity; • Structured guidance, mentoring and coaching by a supervisor including a clear workplan and performance appraisal; • Access to office space, equipment, IT support and any other systems and tools required to complete the objectives of the assignment including a host entity email address; • Access to shared host entity corporate knowledge, training and learning; • Inclusion of the volunteer in emergency procedures such as evacuations; • Leave management; • DSA for official travel, when applicable; • All changes in the Description of Assignment occurring between recruitment and arrival or during the assignment need to be formalized with the United Nations Volunteer Programme.