Site Engineer

Update

The Bougainville Programme within UNDP Papua New Guinea office supports the delivery of multiple initiatives focused on economic development, peace building, and environment. The programme strives to deliver on outcomes focused on improving people’s lives through multi-faced initiatives. One of the key pillars that the programme in supporting is the Bougainville peace process that was formalised through the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA). BPA has three core pillars – weapons disposal, operationalising Bougainville’s new autonomy powers, and holding a referendum within 15 years of Bougainville’s 2005 Constitution which would provide guidance on whether the people wanted independence from PNG or some other form of governance. 11 December 2019 marked a historical moment for PNG-Bougainville relations and implementation of the BPA, with the announcement of the Bougainville Referendum result (hereafter ‘Referendum’). The Referendum, conducted with little incident, saw 97.7% of voters choosing independence from PNG. Special efforts were made in advance of the vote to ensure the inclusion of women voters and younger voters, and it appears that the referendum process was inclusive and genuinely representative of the people’s will, with the results widely and peacefully accepted.

The general positivity and unity experienced in the lead up, conduct and response to the result of the Referendum by the vast majority of Bougainvilleans highlighted the deep desire across Bougainville for people to have their say in the future political status of their region. This translated into ensuring the referendum process took place in a peaceful manner which allowed their voices to be heard and recorded through the region-wide vote. The conduct of the Referendum was described by many in Bougainville as a key step in broader reconciliation processes. The UN’s investment contributed to the conduct of a peaceful, credible referendum process.

UNDP Papua New Guinea has recently received funding from Government of Japan as part of a multi-country project – green transformation. This project will look to deliver on renewable energy in Bougainville through establishment of micro solar farms.
As part of project implementation strategy, a feasibility study was conducted, which identified that in Buka and Arawa other development partners are building hybrid solar farms. In light of this, UNDP PNG prioritized Buin for construction of a solar farm under current project.

Under the overall supervision of the Project Manager, the Site Engineer/Supervisor shall be provide daily supervision of construction activities and shall be engaged in the following tasks and responsibilities:
• Develop a monitoring plan for solar farm establishment.
• Regular supervision of works on site in accordance with contract documents, drawings,
technical specifications, etc; ensuring correct implementation of works according to
contract, design, quality of materials & workmanship to ensure that the works are being
carried out in compliance with the terms and conditions of the relevant Contract
Documents.
• Ensuring that health and safety measures are adopted and properly complied with, and
all workers are obeying them.
• Study and verify the extent/volume of works undertaken and certify for payment.
• Advise the Project Manager on any discrepancies that may be a reason for technical or
contractual issues, such as poor construction quality, delayed completion, inconvenience
with others, etc., and take necessary actions (or recommend actions to be taken) to
rectify such discrepancies.
• Design and maintain with the Contractor a system for inspection and approval of work
before it is covered – e.g. foundations, reinforcing, formwork at each stage before
concrete is poured (hidden works).
• Ensure that all construction materials and solar equipment, delivered by the contractor
meet the Contract technical specifications and of high quality. Any discrepancy to be
reported to UNDP.
• Review the Contractor’s proposed work plan, quality assurance plan, safety plan,
environmental protection measures etc.
• Review and assess valuations for interim payments, proposals for variations orders,
claims etc that may be raised by the Contractor.
• Implement and maintain overall monitoring concerning actual and work progress
compared to the Contractor’s submitted construction schedule.
• Maintain a document control system for all site memos and instructions, quantities of
work and materials on site, reports and other documents pertaining to the construction
activities.
• Ensure that contractor follows the quality and safety standards for solar installation work.
• Conduct engineering site visits to assess and document site dimensions, electrical
systems, PV array location, load data, and utility interconnection of solar systems.
• Provide technical support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system
commissioning, or performance monitoring.
• Establish an effective and positive business relationships with all parties, including ABG,
PNG Power Ltd, Buin Power, etc throughout project implementation.
• Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation works.
• Create a Site inspection Logbook and reflect comments and recommendations after
each site visit.
• Ensure that implemented works are in compliance with PNG regulatory safety standards,
practices, codes.
• Accompany PNG Power, Buin Power in testing and commissioning of the farm, including
electrical, mechanical, instrumentation and control systems.
• Provide monthly progress reports assessing progress and quality of the works.
• In close collaboration with Project Manager, ensure timely and effective implementation
of project’s Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
• Develop a detailed report on the assignment.
• Undertake other tasks required by the project.