Site Architect/Engineer -Basrah -Contract Through Third Party- BAG-22-CLT-0005
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)
Duty Station: Basrah
Classification of duty station: Basrah
Job Family: Culture
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level : Equivalent to SC 5
Duration of contract : From 7 to 11 months
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 07-July-2022
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
The UNESCO Office in Iraq is implementing the project “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old City” whose aim is to foster resilience, social cohesion and reconciliation through the creation of job opportunities and the rehabilitation of urban cultural heritage in Mosul and Basra.
The project is funded by the European Union and is being implemented within the framework of the Revive the Spirit of Mosul flagship initiative launched by UNESCO in February 2018. The overall objective of the project is to contribute to economic recovery and social cohesion through the creation of decent jobs the in re-construction of historical urban centres of Mosul and Basra. In addition to the rehabilitation of the built heritage, the “Reviving Mosul and Basra Old Cities” project focuses on skills development and the revival of the cultural life by promoting art and artists, books and literature, crafts and cultural events.
The project is in line with Old Basra Conservation and Development Plan elaborated between 2016 and 2018 under the aegis of the EU’s Local Area Development Program (LAPD II). It is the first project document to display an approach centred on the Urban Heritage of the Old City promoting both its conservation and development. It provides comprehensive information about Basra’s historic area, puts forward a clear analysis of its problems and proposes a series of actions to salvage and protect a rapidly disappearing Heritage. It was discussed and approved by the various institutional and community stakeholders and, as such, constitutes a clear road map for further conservation and rehabilitation interventions.
Within this framework, UNESCO is implementing three sub-projects having to do with the tangible heritage of the Old City of Basra: (i) the conservation/rehabilitation of 3 publicly owned and architecturally significant houses along the Al-Ashar Canal; (ii) the conservation and rehabilitation of a cluster of 9 “Shanasheel” houses; and (iii) the rehabilitation of the section of the Al-Ashar Canal located in the Old City and its bridges.
Duties and responsibilities
Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Iraq Office, the overall guidance of the Head of Culture and the Senior Architect Advisor, and the direct supervision of the Basra Team leader, the Site Architect Engineer will be based in Basra governorate and will be responsible for supervising the rehabilitation works of the two heritage buildings project and, generally, of supporting UNESCO activities in Basra.
Specifically, the incumbent shall:
1) Ensure that onsite construction activities meet the requirements of the Construction Contract and the technical specifications of the approved project documents.
2) Ensure the proper monitoring of onsite construction activities through accurate data recording and regular reporting. (Weekly Progress Report to Basra Team Leader).
3) Oversee that the Contractor(s) are hiring for employment the UNESCO TVET graduates and young community workers as per the requirements of the Contract.
4) Respond in a timely manner to queries and requests from the Contractor(s): Requests for Information; Approval of Submittals; etc.
5) Keep track on a continuous basis of the works items executed and the quantities completed by the Contractor(s) to facilitate the approval and payment of Certifications by UNESCO; verify the Certifications for payments submitted by the Contractor(s).
6) Attend on-site meetings between the UNESCO monitoring staff or UNESCO management and Contractors as required.
7) Review the daily and monthly progress reports submitted by the Contractor(s) and verify their accuracy.
8) Ensure that a rigorous and complete record keeping of the project and construction documents is carried out throughout the works: Reports, Logbook entries (copy), Instructions to the Contractor, RFI, approvals or rejections of Submittals, results of Tests, Photos of mock-ups, Certifications, Punch lists, Health and Safety incidents, etc.
9) Provide support in locating on the local construction market the resources -- equipment/ materials/ skilled personnel -- required for the good execution of the construction works.
10) Provide support in coordinating and implementing activities undertaken in cooperation with government agencies, especially the Basra Department of Antiquities (SBAH), on tasks related to the protection and preservation of Basra’s built heritage.
11) Contribute to the promotion and divulgation of UNESCO activities in Basra.
12) Perform other tasks assigned by UNESCO.
Expected results and duration of the assignment
• Expected results:
Weekly progress reports summarizing the construction activities completed and the activities ongoing. Reports will include: (i) assessment of whether progress is in line with the accepted work-plan; (ii) photos of the ongoing works; (iii) test results (if any). Reports will be written in English.
Archived and organized documentation of the works: Instructions to the Contractor (Logbook), Change Orders, Record of submittals, Test results, Documents provided by the contractor (Technical data sheets, addresses of suppliers, instruction manuals of equipment, etc.).
Forms tracking the labour employed by the Contractor in the execution of the works.
Quantity surveys to establish payments to the Contractor.
• Expected time-limited duration of the assignment
The duration of this contract is of minimum 7 months with 3 months probationary period.
Organizational Environment and Partnership
Organizational Environment and Partnership
Under the overall authority of the Head of the UNESCO Iraq Office, the overall guidance of the Head of Culture and the Senior Architect Advisor, and the direct supervision of the Basra Team leader, the Site Architect Engineer will be based in Basra governorate and will be responsible for supervise the rehabilitation works on heritage buildings and to support its project activities in Basra.
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
1. Academic qualifications
• MA/MS in architecture/engineering or BA/BS in architecture/engineering with two additional years of relevant professional experience.
• A proven record in supervising restoration or rehabilitation interventions on historical or vernacular buildings.
• Previous experience in the Basra area, and preferably in the Old City of Basra.
• Previous experience with UN and/or other international organizations.
2. Years of relevant work experience
• Professional background in architecture or engineering with at least 5 years of experience in the supervision and monitoring of vertical building constructions (mandatory).
3. Language requirement
• Native Arabic speaker – oral, written, comprehension.
• Fluent in English – oral, written, comprehension.
4. Competencies and Skills
• Good working knowledge of Autocad and Office applications; (MS office Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
• High level of skills in negotiation and problem solving in a crisis/emergency.
• Demonstrated competence in all aspects of architectural design/supervision, including capacity of closely monitoring technical and operational aspects of the work.
• Proven ability to exercise initiative and resourcefulness necessary for prioritizing multiple components and phases of work.
• Positive attitude and strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills.
• Solid skills in analyzing and consolidating various sources of information and synthesizing the information effectively in written reports.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS
• Previous experience working in the City of Basrah .
• Previous experience with UN and/or other International organizations
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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