Technical Operations Officer

Position Title: Technical Operations Officer

Duty Station: Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

Classification: Professional Staff, Grade P2

Type of Appointment: Special short-term graded, six months with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date: As soon as possible

Closing Date: 26 October 2022

Established in 1951, IOM is a Related Organization of the United Nations, and as the leading UN agency in the field of migration, works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

Context:

Infrastructure is an operational unit in IOM Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The unit is integral to the Rohingya Refugee Response implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with funding from various international donors. Infrastructure Unit activities include site planning, medium-complexity infrastructure projects, primarily roads, bridges, health and community facilities and various types of site rehabilitation works, including drainage, pedestrian access, earth stabilisation and installation of solar street lighting throughout the camps and ‘out of camp’ sites in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh.

The Site Maintenance Engineering Project (SMEP) is a joint operations partnership with UNHCR, IOM and WFP for the construction and maintenance of civil infrastructure within and around the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. Initiated in early 2018, the project was initially designed to respond to events and incidents when they occurred. Requests concerned essential infrastructural works and camp development, along with the provision of facilitating enabling quick and easy access as well as the reduction of imminent risks linked to natural hazards within the camps as well as in surrounding vulnerable host communities.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Humanitarian Assistance and Operations, and direct supervision of the Infrastructure Coordinator, the successful candidate will assist the implementation of the programme, both Infrastructure and SMEP related, including but not limited to engineering design and construction support for new site development works, existing site enhancement and maintenance works, vehicular access, slope stabilization, drainage. This includes the repair and maintenance of vehicular roads, primary and secondary drains following landslides and/or flooding as well as the design of modular structures for road, drainage, soil retaining, walkways/bridges that can easily be transported.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

1. In-charge on overseeing the day-to-day SMEP field operations including but not limited to the site development, infrastructure construction and maintenance works, machineries operations and maintenance, forward operating bases, casting yards and mechanical workshop operations to ensure the compliance with IOM policies and SMEP operational guideline.
2. Supervise the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Local Engineers, Skilled and UnskilledWorkers and help to resolve team conflicts, and ensure the team operate in effective and efficient manner.
3. Assist the Infrastructure Coordinator on technical aspects of IOM construction work in the specified technical area, including assessment, design, Bill of Quantity (BoQ) calculation, work scheduling, tendering, technical specification, monitoring and evaluation, and contract administration.
4. Provide civil designs for small to large scale areas, with the guidance of the InfrastructureCoordinator. Civil designs to include (but not limited to), drainage, hydraulic analysis, culvert design, large scale cut/fill, quantity take offs, retaining wall, road design, and modular structures.
5. Contribute to the management of construction projects to help ensure quality completion is on time and within budget by utilizing and applying professional skills and knowledge in project management and stakeholder engagement.
6. Oversee the Casting Yards operate in effective and efficient manner and review the design of precast products time to time with the aim SMEP to produce the precast products that are appropriate to need in camp operations.
7. Supervise, manage and maintain the SMEP machineries fleet and mechanical workshop and ensure its operation are effective and efficient.
8. Attend Technical Working Group (TWG) Meetings and provide updates for SMEP LightEngineering (LE) activities and participate in the discussion of issues pertaining to SMEP project implementation.
9. Assist with the development and implementation of design standards, monitoring mechanisms, quality assurance mechanisms, and construction specifications in respective technical fields.
10. Provide necessary information and documentation for the preparation of project proposals for IOM to contact potential donors and/or government agencies. Contribute to operational planning for emergency preparedness and response and hazard mitigation/disaster risk reduction initiatives.
11. Participate in the tender evaluation process including assessment of bidders’ qualifications, competency, and experience, and in analyzing and reviewing the quoted unit rates and specifications against IOM-prepared cost estimates and specifications.
12. Monitor the activities through Cash for Work to facilitate performance in accordance with the policies and guidance and in a timely manner.
13. Carry out field visits to project sites to monitor repair and maintenance works, propose and implement necessary measures for rectification and achievement of standard quality of repair and maintenance of infrastructures.
14. Submit periodic report to the supervisor for compilation and sharing internally and externally as and when required.
15. Perform management support activities for multiple construction projects in many remote locations by working with multi-disciplinary projects teams consisting of architects, engineers, construction managers, construction contractors, cash-for-work groups and non-profit implementers in planning, organizing and implementing projects.
16. Comply with IOM’s policies and procedures including prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA) and promotion of a respectful work environment in order to contribute to a healthy workplace.
17. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

• Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Architecture, or a related field from an accredited academic institution with two years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with four years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience in camp rehabilitation and site development, civil design, direct construction supervision, contract administration, surveying and levelling, quantity surveying.
• Experience in the design and construction of buildings, roads, drainage, and slope stabilization infrastructure projects
• Experience with International Organizations and/or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)is an advantage.
• Experience working within the region an advantage.
• Experience in building structural design, computer aided drawing, and common engineering-related software is a plus.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to supervise and manage staff at an operational level in humanitarian emergencies.
• Must have thorough knowledge on AutoCAD drafting operations.
• Excellent knowledge of the IOM project management cycle.
• Good knowledge of UN and bilateral donor programming.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely in English.
• Strong computer skills.
• Planning and Organizing – plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility.
• Resource Mobilization – works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of SMEP.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

External applicants for all positions in the Professional category are required to be proficient in English and have at least a working knowledge of one additional UN Language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, or Spanish).

For all applicants, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge in Bengali, Rohingya dialect is an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited Universities are the ones listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required Competencies:

Values – all IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these three values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
• Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies – behavioural indicators level 2

• Leadership: provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trust: creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision: works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.

IOM’s competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.pdf

Competencies will be assessed during a competency-based interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited professional staff are required to be mobile.

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

This selection process may be used to staff similar positions in various duty stations. Recommended candidates will remain eligible to be appointed in a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The list of NMS countries above includes all IOM Member States which are non-represented in the Professional Category of staff members. For this staff category, candidates who are nationals of the duty station’s country cannot be considered eligible.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances. Subject to certain exemptions, vaccination against COVID-19 will in principle be required for individuals hired on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

Vacancies close at 23:59 local time Geneva, Switzerland on the respective closing date. No late applications will be accepted.