The 6.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Albania on 26 November 2019, has left 51 people dead and injured at least 913 others. Eleven municipalities situated in three prefectures (Tirana, Durrës and Lezha), with an approximate population of 1,185,286 persons, have suffered to varying degrees from the earthquake with 202,291 people affected directly or indirectly. According to government sources, around 17,090 affected inhabitants had to vacate their homes. For the first time in recent history, the Government of Albania announced a State of Natural Emergency in the three prefectures. According to the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA), damages were reported to 321 educational institutions (including crèches, pre-schools, basic schools, secondary schools, vocational and education training schools, high education schools and dormitories) in the 11 affected municipalities, representing 24% of all educational establishments. About 90% of damaged institutions are in the public sector. The municipalities of Tirana and Durres have the highest share of damage, with 55% and 21%, respectively. Schools were also damaged in smaller municipalities such as Vora, where half of all education facilities were either fully or partially destroyed. Furthermore, 60% of destroyed and damaged schools are in rural areas. In addition to infrastructure, the earthquake also damaged physical assets such as furniture, labs, ICT equipment, libraries, textbooks, and other learning materials. The physical infrastructure of education facilities, especially in rural areas, do not meet current regulations on safety and accessibility.

The action aims to support national and local governments in reducing further social and economic losses, and to accelerate the recovery process through educational facility repairs and reconstruction. The specific objectives are: (i) To support repairing/retrofitting and rebuilding, including basic furnishing, of education facilities in municipalities affected by the earthquake according to international standards; (ii) To offer better education services in creches, pre-schools, basic schools and secondary schools, for children and students, girls and boys, in areas affected by the earthquake; and (iii) To provide increased transparency, accountability and inclusiveness to the recovery process of education facilities

As the action will be focused mainly in repair and reconstruction of education facilities, two civil engineers will be hired as part of the action team. He/she will support the effective implementation of the action activities in the area of responsibility, in accordance with the corresponding action documents

Scope of the assignment

Under the direct supervision of the programme manager and in close coordination with the focal points in beneficiaries’ municipalities, the civil engineer will be responsible for taking all required actions and ensuring timely and quality delivery of the infrastructure component of the Action and supervise all design, construction and handover phases of all the construction works as well as all external and landscaping works.

The incumbent is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Prepares technical documentation related to implementation of education infrastructure interventions including Preparation of Terms of References (ToR) for detailed design for repair and/or reconstruction of educational facilities where needed;
• Reviews and assesses technical design documents for infrastructure interventions and equipment, providing substantive technical inputs and quality assurance;
• Advises UNDP senior managers, programme specialist and programme manager on all technical issues and education infrastructure rehabilitation strategies and approaches;
• Assists programme manager and action staff in the implementation of activities related to the construction of infrastructure projects;
• Advises programme manager and follows up preparation of technical documentation for obtaining relevant construction permits;
• Conducts field visits and prepares assessment of infrastructure interventions;
• Organizes technical team consultations and ensures that all partners participate and contribute as appropriate;
• Ensure the criteria agreed in the Action are fully incorporated in the various activities of the project and in all civil works and constructions.
• Ensures that procurement specifications follow UNDP and Action established format;
• Provides effective support throughout all stages of tendering processes including preparation of evaluation criteria for short-listing of construction companies, provides technical advice and guidance during tendering and procurement processes;
• Provides written technical reports as required.
• Provides technical advice and synthesizes technical opinions of various experts in support of various evaluation processes;
• Undertakes regular field visits for quality assurance and monitoring of contractors during construction phase to ensure that plans are followed, and safe infrastructure is being built;
• In cooperation with the programme manager and Action team contributes in the update and maintenance of contract management module and ensure that all appropriate processes are regularly reflected and monitored;
• Prepares and maintain status reports for projects under implementation and for completed projects;
• Ensures that all design, construction and supervision work undertaken by various contractors abide to the standards and quality criteria agreed in the contractual arrangements and prepares all relevant reports.  Monitor and supervise all design, construction and finishing phases of all the construction works
• Monitor and supervise all design, construction and finishing phases of all external and landscaping works.
• Ensure all works and edifices abide by national and European seismic compliance and EURO8 codes and standards
• Ensure all works and edifices incorporate disability requirements as per national and European standards

• Ensures that technical documentation on construction site is maintained in accordance with relevant national laws and standards and contract for works
• In cooperation with other technical experts prepares all relevant specifications for education facilities furniture and equipment.
• Ensures preparation of relevant documentation of handover files for all conducted works; operational manuals and maintenance schedule to be handed over to local governments and school’s authorities;
• Signs off the final handover documentation upon completion of all (re)construction works in each project;
• Provides general office support as required.

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment;

Core Competencies:

• Act as a team player while also taking individual initiative to complete outlined tasks;
• Sharing knowledge – across the action in particular and the organization in general -through supporting the building of a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Communication – Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication.
• Planning & Organizing – Develops clear goals in line with agreed strategies, identifies priorities, foresees risks and makes allowances accordingly.
• Organizational Awareness – Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Teamwork – Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Accountability – Takes ownership of all responsibilities and delivers outputs in accordance with agreed time, cost and quality standards.

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent communication skills (written, spoken, composing, presentation) and ability to share expertise for capacity building;
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to pose questions, listen, evaluate and capture opinions, suggestions and comments, both orally and in writing, in a clear and persuasive style tailored to match different stakeholders.
• Political and cultural sensitivity and commitment to UNDP’s development objectives in the country;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices;
• Ability to manage competing demands and meet deadlines;
• Proven networking, teambuilding, organizational and communication skills.

Education

• Advanced studies in civil engineering

Experience

• At least 7 years of experience in working with community infrastructure projects, an added advantage if working on infrastructure projects of schools;            
• Practical experience of working with local administrations or elected authorities for planning and management of infrastructure projects;
• Proven experience in project development in local communities;
• Proven experience in preparation and controlling of bidding documents;
• Proven abilities in computer programmes is required;
• Previous experience/familiarity with UNDP and/or other UN agencies is an asset.

Language

• Fluency in English and Albanian is required

Interested applicants are advised to carefully study all sections of this ToRs and ensure that they meet the general requirements as well as specific qualifications described

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Contract Duration: 1 year with possibility of extension