Infrastructure Advisor

The Infrastructure Advisor will provide technical advice, quality assurance, and implementation support for infrastructure projects within the South Asia Multi-Country Office. The role includes partnership development, knowledge sharing, and technical leadership to ensure high-quality infrastructure project delivery aligned with UNOPS standards and regional needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical advice and guidance on development and implementation of a quality assurance framework within the region in relation to infrastructure projects
• Provide advice across the design development process regarding preparation of technical specifications, Bills of Quantities, bidding documentation, engineering drawings, construction methodologies, construction planning and programming, and assessments of contractors' technical capacity
• Support and provide guidance on construction activities including Health and Safety, Quality, Environmental and other risk management activities
• Advise UNOPS Country management teams regarding compliance with UNOPS Health and Safety and Environmental Management System
• Provide substantive support to Programme/Project Managers and Team Leaders in implementation of infrastructure projects
• Advise infrastructure practitioners on application, interpretation and adoption of corporate policy, guidance and best practices
• Advise Country management Teams regarding design considerations and design review requirements
• Support field office infrastructure teams in identification, engagement, bid evaluation and management of local and regional consultancy firms providing infrastructure design and construction services
• Support UNOPS Partnership Development & Strategic positioning agenda in the region through expertise, regional contacts and demonstrated ability
• Represent UNOPS at appropriate regional or country level forums within Asia
• Review proposals and support development of infrastructure projects in the region via corporate engagement system and provide advice to Hub and Country Directors and Regional Director
• Provide advice and support on new initiatives focusing on quality assurance and quality control of project documents, costing, implementation plans, milestones and benchmark indicators
• Assist with technical input to proposals including project planning, governance, and approach considerations
• Disseminate training for corporate guidance and instructions impacting infrastructure practitioners
• Ensure best practice guidance is disseminated and communicated throughout the region and organization
• Contribute to IPMG's knowledge management by capturing case studies and best practice examples, making recommendations on policy and tools, and contributing to development of guidance material and tools
• Undertake missions to Country Offices and project sites to review and advise on quality and progress related issues and highlight operational problems
• Provide expertise and support in implementation of standards and frameworks, procurement and contract modality selection and management, Quality Control, Quality Assurance, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S), Environmental Management Systems (EMS)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Architecture, Structural Engineering, Infrastructure Management or Civil Engineering (Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer, P. Eng.) or related fields with 9 years of relevant experience OR Master’s degree (or equivalent) in any of the above or related fields with 7 years of relevant experience is required
• Certification in a recognized project management methodology (i.e. PRINCE 2) and knowledge of programme management methodology (e.g. MSP) is desired
• Minimum 10 years of progressive work experience in a Senior Engineering, Architecture or Construction Management roles are required including at least 7 years at senior management level
• Experience of working in Asian countries in an international development environment
• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired
• Experience in development or humanitarian contexts is desired
• Experience working in infrastructure projects with government entities in developing countries will be an asset
• Understanding of Sustainability and Resilience concepts as they are applied within the infrastructure and development contexts is desirable
• Fluent English required
• Fluent Tamil desirable
• Fluent Sinhala desirable

Skills

• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Infrastructure Management
• Project Management
• Prince 2 Certification
• Programme Management
• MSP
• Construction Management
• Technical Advice
• Quality Assurance
• Infrastructure Project Delivery
• Partnership Development
• Knowledge Sharing
• Sustainable Development Concepts
• Resilience Concepts
• International Development
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Senior Engineering Management

Languages

English, Tamil, Sinhala