Overview
The Technical Officer will support UNDP Syria’s interventions, ensuring coordination, effective implementation, and alignment with broader strategic frameworks. The role involves supporting the Project Management Unit, participating in needs assessments, reviewing technical designs, and providing support throughout tendering and project implementation stages.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Project Manager in project implementation.
- Engage with government and partners to identify joint opportunities and provide technical support.
- Provide regular reports and briefs on project activities.
- Assist in updating the risk register for relevant projects.
- Document lessons learned and shared experiences.
- Develop a monitoring plan and mechanisms to track project activities, including site visits.
- Prepare and share monthly performance progress reports.
- Generate and update a database for local market material prices.
- Provide all reports, deliverables, and communications in English and Arabic.
- Provide written feedback as needed.
- Facilitate knowledge and capacity building, knowledge sharing, and advocacy.
- Review initial project designs from the field, evaluate them, and assess technical and economic feasibility.
- Participate in needs assessment processes for targeted locations.
- Provide inputs for project documents and concept notes.
- Participate in risk assessments and social and environmental assessments.
- Prepare BOQs, specifications, guarantee schedules, and design documents for equipment and works.
- Follow up on specifications with authorities or consultants, verify them, and coordinate with the Procurement Team.
- Ensure timely submission of specifications.
- Follow up technically with local authorities and field teams to prepare design and tender documents.
- Verify specifications and coordinate with the Procurement Team before initiating procurement.
- Respond to queries from the procurement unit and review committees.
- Participate in pre-bid meetings and respond to bidder queries on technical specifications.
- Participate in Technical Review Committee meetings and review bids against evaluation criteria.
- Follow up on procurement requirements, ensuring value for money, transparency, and competition.
- Attend Kick-off meetings.
- Monitor physical project implementation through site visits.
- Supervise targeted locations and provide updates and recommendations.
- Advise, monitor, and manage the operational phase.
- Provide regular monitoring reports and inputs to overall project progress reports.
- Check materials received at construction/renovation sites.
- Discuss site issues with the Contractor and report problems to UNDP.
- Ensure effective and efficient implementation of project actions and outcomes.
- Check and certify substantial progress/completion and corresponding payments.
- Advise UNDP to withhold payment for rejected work.
- Prepare Variation Orders impacting contract value.
- Maintain project progress log and issue certificates, notices, and instructions to the contractor.
- Advise UNDP on the value of works in case of contract termination.
- Manage risks at the local level and inform the Area Manager of implementation impediments.
- Ensure contractor maintains site safety and cleans the site after completion.
- Ensure all project documentation is properly maintained in hard and electronic copies.
Required Experience
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience at the national or international level in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Engineering, Electrical engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Experience in computer applications and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.), with advanced knowledge of web-based management systems.
- Experience in using engineering software, such as AutoCad.
- Experience in design review and/or preparation of Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and cost estimates for assigned projects.
- Experience in preparing and handling tender documents for turnkey contracts, including technical inputs/specifications for the procurement of services, in line with conditions of international lending/funding agencies.
- Previous experience with the UN or an international organization working in a crisis environment similar to Syria.
- Experience with UNDP processes.
- Previous experience working on internationally donor-funded projects.
Qualifications
- Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Industrial Engineering, Architecture, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical engineering, Civil Engineering, or a related field is required.
- Or, a first level university degree (Bachelor’s degree) in the fields mentioned above with additional 2 years of qualifying experience.
