1. Background – Zimbabwe

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is the operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organizations. With over 8,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it. By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.

The Zimbabwe projects fall under the purview of the UNOPS KEMC (Kenya Multi Country Office) located in Nairobi, Kenya. The Kenya Multi Country Office manages a growing portfolio of engagements, including associated strategic and operational risks. The KEMC sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Nairobi/Kenya which manages a portfolio of engagements in multiple countries in East and Southern Africa. This includes a large portfolio of Infrastructure, procurement and project management service projects in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and several Island states.

Projects

Following devastation caused to life, livelihoods and property by tropical storm Idai in March 2019, the WB has allocated up to US$ 72 million to finance a recovery project for Zimbabwe and the African Development Bank has allocated approx. US$ 25 million. The projects address both early and mid-term recovery needs in multiple sectors (livelihoods, health, education, agriculture, transport). UNOPS has been requested to manage the WB funds and has established a Project Implementation Unit (PIU) and is the Implementation Agency for Community Infrastructure as well as larger public infrastructure under the AfDB-funded project.

2. Background Information - Job-specific

Under the overall supervision of the Lead Engineers, the Site Engineer Interns will give technical expertise as required to assist in supervising and coordinating any site activities.

The interns will be required to deliver high quality products to tight deadlines. Additionally, the Interns will also closely coordinate with other projects’ team members.

The incumbents will be responsible to abide by the security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.

The internship's learning opportunities are:

• Apply, expand and consolidate their knowledge in a real working environment.
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• Active participation in the supervision and coordination of site activities.
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• Participate in the revision, cleaning and maintenance of the spatial database produced for the project.
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• Learn from real situations, how to work in a team and deliver quality products within set timeframes.
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• Learning through practical experience.
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• Understanding of international organization's project management practices.
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• Knowledge of UNOPS project management systems, including online platforms and Google Suite.
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• Exposure to UNOPS Zimbabwe projects.

** Functional Responsibilities

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Specifically, the incumbents will be responsible for the following substantive tasks. The tasks would involve the following but not limited to:

• Assist in performing/reviewing design works of buildings, roads, bridges, water & sanitation systems, irrigation systems, energy supply networks and other structures to the design standards.
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• Assist in supervising the works on site on a daily basis.
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• Assist in collating feedback and preparing reports.

Technical tasks:

• Assist in preparing/reviewing design briefs and design reports that address specific clients and stakeholder requirements and specifications as and when necessary.
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• Assist in preparing comprehensive design documentation that will include and not limited to Design report, drawings, specifications, design review checklist, bar bending schedules and other project documents to meet the required quality and detailing using latest design software and Codes.
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• Assist Architects, Engineers and Quantity Surveyors in the planning of projects and scheduling of tasks.
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• Assist in ensuring the documents prepared meet the quality standard requirements.
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• Assist in timely delivery of the expected outputs.
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• Assist in producing bills of quantities of the proposed works.
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• Assist in carrying out research and identify appropriate technologies/techniques/designs that can be incorporated in the project design.
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• Assist in the supervision of construction works.