The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa, and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference, and information services (www.unon.org). This position is located at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). The Chief of Design and Construction reports to the Principal Programme Management Officer for the UNON Conference Facilities Project (CFP) Division of Administrative Services, UNON. The incumbent will be responsible for mainly the construction and renovation-related planning and execution tasks required for the implementation of the UNON Conference Facilities Project over a 5-year period. The project will be executed in line with the established project scope and key performance indicators, which includes large-scale relocation of the existing conference functions of the organization, while ensuring business continuity of conference operations for major UN Secretariat clients including United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) running conferences at the United Nations compound in Nairobi throughout the construction and renovation period. In this context, the incumbent will perform the following duties:
- Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section, including the work of consultants, contractors, other UNON services; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the work prepared by others and claims for payment to ensure all resources are used properly in order to achieve all UNON Conference Facilities Project goals and objectives.
- Formulates and implements the substantive work programme under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of the UNON Conference Facilities Project and related construction activities undertaken by the Section, including the technical aspects of acquisition management, contracting, scheduling, cost estimating, quality control, and contract administration.
- Ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and coordinates work in the different areas within the UNON CFP project team, other UNON services, and with other Departments and entities of the United Nations System, as well as with local authorities, including departments of construction, infrastructure, and planning offices, fire departments, as appropriate.
- Leads, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility.
- Provides updates to the Project Management Plan (PMP) and Project Execution Plan (PEP) for construction, site operations, project guidelines, policies, procedures, and performance standards. Implements the PMP and PEP in all phases of the project.
- Reviews and recommends for approval all works submitted related to construction and renovation contracts.
- Supports the establishment of a Lessons Learned and Best Practices log as pertains to the UNON CFP.
- Ensures awareness and up-to-date understanding of relevant building codes and standards, technology, and workplace safety, as well as best practices for persons with disabilities, during the construction and renovation phases.
- Supports updates to the guidelines for the management of construction projects of the Organisation.
- Signs off on Payment Applications upon completion of respective peer reviews, as per established workflows as delivered by the contractor.
- Reviews and submits for final approval of the Principal Programme Management Officer, master cost breakdowns, general conditions estimate, and labor cost reports. Reviews and approves weekly and monthly project reports from project design consultants and contractors.
- Supports the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, the General Assembly, and internal and external auditors, as appropriate.
- Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that design and construction-related work products are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates.
- Assists the Principal Programme Management Officer in preparing the work programme of the UNON CFP as relates to the Section, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Coordinates the preparation of the schedule and long-term planning, monitoring/control related to construction and renovation works to ensure the project is executed on schedule and within budget.
- Oversees the programmatic tasks necessary for the implementation the UNON CFP, including developing, maintaining and enforcing adherence to the construction phasing and site logistics and site safety plans; liaising with UNON safety and security teams regarding the site safety plan; and administrative tasks such as evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting.
- Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance.
- Manages, guides, develops, and trains staff under his/her supervision.
- Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries.
- Represents the UNON CFP team at meetings as required.
- Leads team members' efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate, and share the data they need.
- Performs additional tasks as and when requested.
PROFESSIONALISM:
- Knowledge of the contracting and construction management issues, particularly codes and legal requirements, preferably in the host country or a similar environment.
- Demonstrates ability to implement major capital projects effectively, on time, and on budget.
- Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others.
- Competency in the use of relevant information technology and systems. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations.
- Ability to work with people from various cultures and professions.
- The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements.
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns.
- Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
- Remains calm in stressful situations.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies.
- Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates an appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work.
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning.
- Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
- Uses time efficiently.
LEADERSHIP:
- Serves as a role model that other people want to follow.
- Empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives.
- Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support.
- Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions.
- Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo.
- Shows the courage to take unpopular stands.
- Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
MANAGING PERFORMANCE:
- Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority.
- Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member.
- Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches the task to skills.
- Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
- Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff.
- Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative.
- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.
- Appraises performance fairly.
TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS:
- Keeps abreast of available technology.
- Understands the applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office.
- Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
- Shows willingness to learn new technology.
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in construction management, building engineering, systems engineering, architecture, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in managing large-scale construction or renovation projects, ranging from planning, design and execution, or in overseeing and directing large-scale business relocation and rehabilitation projects is required. Experience in implementing major projects effectively, on time and on budget is required. Experience in working with executive governance boards, public sector or external audiences is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
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