National Infrastructure Development Expert

​Requisition ID: 4928 
Grade: SB5 - Local Professional (Mid-Level & Senior) 
Country: Pakistan 
Duty Station: Karachi 
Category: National Consultant 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff Regular
Contract Duration: 6 months (with the possibility of extension)
Application deadline: 11-Dec-2024, 11:59 PM (Vienna, Austria time)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Only nationals or permanent residents of the country of the duty station are considered eligible.
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
 

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Under the overall direction of the Director General, and in close collaboration with all relevant organizational entities within UNIDO, the Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

The Competitiveness, Quality and Compliance Unit (TCS/SME/CQC) builds national and regional production and quality infrastructure systems, with an emphasis on providing internationally recognized services, facilitating MSME participation in regional and global value chains; strengthening institutional quality infrastructure capacities; building conformity assessment capacities; and supporting market access and quality awareness with the public sector, economic operators and consumers, placing a special emphasis on capacitating MSMEs. 

PROJECT CONTEXT

One of the projects implemented by UNIDO “Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR)” is a five-year programme funded by the European Union to support the Government of Sindh (GoS) in implementation of its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS). The long-term objective of PAIDAR is to contribute to sustainable poverty reduction and improvement of livelihoods of poor women, men and young people across Sindh province. The PRS has three pillars: 1) Community Driven Local Development 2) Addressing Urban Poverty including Urban Economic Clusters and 3) Rural Growth Centres. 

PAIDAR has been conceived to mainly focus on fostering the economic development dimension of the PRS, and targeting the most vulnerable, in particular through support to enterprise development, focusing on the development of Rural Growth Centres and Urban Economic Clusters under PRS implementation. To this end, the programme will:

• Provide necessary financial and technical support to a significant number of micro and small enterprises.
• Contribute technically and financially to building and upgrading public infrastructure for improvement in basic service delivery; and
• Assist the GoS in strengthening internal coordination and monitoring and optimising provincial public resources allocation towards meeting PRS objectives.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under its public sector development outcome, the PAIDAR programme implements two key intervention types to support the Government of Sindh in executing its Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS).

• First, PAIDAR provides Technical Assistance to the Government of Sindh in designing and implementing development schemes related to WASH, road infrastructure, education, health, public spaces, and waste management. These investments are concentrated at the level of Rural Growth Centres (RGCs), selected towns in each PRS target district, allowing the populations of RGCs and surrounding villages to access decentralized social services locally, avoiding travel to major cities. The primary objective is to reduce the multidimensional poverty index (MPI) in these areas by enhancing access to and the quality of essential social services.

• Second, PAIDAR has partnered with Sindh Peoples’ Housing for Flood Affectees (SPHF) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to develop a Climate Resilient Settlement Development Plan (CRSDP). This collaboration focuses on designing and implementing the CRSDP across 70-80 villages around the RGCs in PRS target districts (Thatta, Sajawal, Badin, Tharparkar, and Larkana). The CRSDP encompasses infrastructure (roads, pavements, WASH facilities, public spaces), utilities (water, electricity, clean cooking), and services (education, health, waste management). A pilot CRSDP is currently underway to create a model village in Thatta, with additional CRSDPs for the remaining villages in the final stages of development. Once finalized, SPHF will execute these CRSDPs through implementing partners for the designated villages.

The expert will deliver the following:

1. Development of RGCs:

• Initial Scoping of RGC in Larkana: Under the supervision of National Technical Advisor and International Social Service Expert, the expert will conduct an initial scoping of RGC in Larkana in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including line departments, local government offices, private sector and communities.
   
• Development of PC-Is for Selected Schemes: Collaborating closely with public sector counterparts, the expert will develop PC-Is for selected development schemes, ensuring comprehensive inclusion of all technical details and requirements. Monitor and guide subcontracted agencies for engineering design to provide timey inputs for development of the PC-Is.
   
• Guidance and Oversight of Ongoing Schemes: The expert will guide departments to complete
  PC-I tasks efficiently and effectively and will oversee ongoing development schemes at RGC Chuhar Jamali, reporting on any deviations or potential improvements.

1. Development of Villages:

• Completion of CRSDPs with Comprehensive Surveys and Designs: The expert will ensure CRSDPs under development are fully complete, encompassing GIS mapping, physical and engineering surveys, and community engagement. He/she will oversee the creation of engineering designs (2D and 3D) for infrastructure elements like roads, pavements, public spaces, sewerage systems, and irrigation channels. These CRSDPs will be integrated into detailed 2D/3D engineering drawings with specifications, measurements, and standards for implementation and quality assurance purposes.

• Development of SOPs and Implementation Manual: The expert will ensure the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and an Implementation Manual to standardize and streamline all project processes under the PAIDAR CRSDP initiative. These documents will establish clear guidelines for each phase of infrastructure development, including project planning, design, on-site execution, quality assurance, and community engagement. The SOPs will cover essential protocols for safety, environmental compliance, and resource management, ensuring that each intervention aligns with PAIDAR's resilience and sustainability goals. The Implementation Manual will serve as a comprehensive resource for field teams and implementing partners, detailing step-by-step procedures, technical standards, and reporting requirements to promote consistency, efficiency, and accountability across all project activities. Together, the SOPs and Implementation Manual will facilitate a high level of operational rigour and support continuous improvement by incorporating best practices and lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
   
• Development of CRSDP and Village Development Dashboard: The expert will assist the creation of a dynamic dashboard to integrate and monitor all data related to the CRSDP and village development phases. This dashboard will serve as a centralized, real-time platform displaying key project metrics, progress updates, resource allocation, and implementation timelines for each development phase across all target villages. Designed for both strategic oversight and operational monitoring, the dashboard will capture essential data points, including GIS mapping, engineering specifications, quality assurance checks, and financial tracking, enabling seamless coordination between field teams, implementing partners, and stakeholders. By consolidating visualized data and detailed analytics, the dashboard will support informed decision-making, facilitate quick response to project challenges, and provide transparent reporting to stakeholders. Additionally, the dashboard will incorporate features for tracking pilot solutions in infrastructure, utilities, and services such as education, health, and waste management, offering a comprehensive tool for managing the lifecycle of village-level interventions under PAIDAR.
   
• On-Site Project Execution and Supervision: In project execution, the expert will oversee on-site implementation of infrastructure interventions, coordinating with implementing partners (IPs) and village stakeholders. He/she will supervise IPs in constructing roads, pavements, public spaces, waste management systems, sewerage networks, WASH facilities, and irrigation channels, closely monitoring progress against project timelines and budget allocations for efficient resource use.
   
• Community Engagement and Capacity Building: The expert will engage with community representatives to integrate local feedback in both design and execution, facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building for communities to support sustainable post-completion maintenance. He/she will conduct awareness sessions on infrastructure usage, maintenance, and waste management to foster community ownership and long-term project sustainability.
   
• Quality Assurance Protocols and Inspections: Quality assurance will involve establishing protocols to ensure construction meets standards and resilience practices. The expert will conduct regular inspections to evaluate quality, address issues, and ensure adherence to engineering designs and safety standards while overseeing IP compliance with technical specifications and timelines, documenting any discrepancies as they arise.
   
• Development of Terms of Reference (ToRs) and Reporting Mechanisms: The expert will develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) to engage additional expertise as project needs evolve, ensuring targeted technical assistance for infrastructure, utility, and service-related requirements. Additionally, he/she will introduce reporting mechanisms for piloting selected solutions in infrastructure, utilities, and services.
   
• Project Documentation and Reporting: The expert will maintain comprehensive records of project activities, including technical designs, progress reports, and quality checklists, and will prepare monthly and quarterly progress reports, addressing challenges and lessons learned for programme reporting. Best practices will be documented, creating a resource repository to inform future PAIDAR infrastructure initiatives.
   
• Environmental and Social Safeguard Compliance: Environmental and social safeguards are a priority, and the expert will ensure all infrastructure projects comply with environmental protection and social guidelines. He/she will ensure sustainable waste management and construction techniques are adopted to minimize ecological impact, conducting risk assessments to pre-empt potential social or environmental issues and integrating mitigation measures into project plans.

Under the overall guidance of PAIDAR Programme Manager and direct supervision of National Programme Coordinator and National Technical Advisor, the expert shall carry out the following functions to achieve the immediate results of the PAIDAR programme:

MAIN DUTIES

- Planning and coordination
Review of programme documents, Poverty reduction strategy, Concept notes of development schemes, primary and secondary data related to social services.

- Programme Implementation
Development of RGCs:
Scoping of RGCs Development of PC-Is for Selected Schemes Guidance and Oversight of Ongoing Schemes

- Development of villages:
Finalization of CRSDPs with thorough GIS mapping, surveys, and detailed 2D/3D engineering designs for infrastructure elements, with full specifications for quality assurance.

Monitor, review, provide technical inputs on development of SOPs and an Implementation Manual by PAIDAR subcontractor (CRS) to standardize project phases, covering guidelines for planning, design, execution, and quality assurance, promoting operational rigour and alignment with PAIDAR goals.

Assist creation of a real-time dashboard to centralize and monitor all CRSDP and village development data, enabling efficient tracking of project metrics, resources, and piloting of innovative solutions.

Oversee on-site implementation of infrastructure projects, coordinating with implementing partners and ensuring timely and efficient resource utilization.

Engage communities to incorporate local feedback, build capacity for maintenance, and foster ownership through awareness on infrastructure usage and sustainability.

Establish quality assurance protocols, conduct regular inspections, and oversee compliance to ensure construction meets standards and resilience goals.

Develop ToRs for specialized expertise as needed and introduce reporting mechanisms for piloting solutions in infrastructure, utilities, and services.

Ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards, implementing sustainable practices and conducting risk assessments to mitigate potential impacts.

- Programme promotion and outreach
Provide input to communication personnel on programme promotion and visibility.

- Reporting
Project Documentation and Reporting: Maintain detailed project records, prepare regular progress reports, and document best practices to inform future PAIDAR initiatives.

- Other duties as required by the PM
Any other task deemed necessary within the preview of the expert’s qualifications and experience assigned by the PM.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced university degree in civil engineering, urban planning or other relevant discipline is required.

Technical and Functional Experience:

• At least five (5) years of work experience in infrastructure project design and implementation, ideally in rural or community-based settings is required.
• Proficiency in engineering software (AutoCAD, Revit) for 2D/3D design is required.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders is required.
• Knowledge of quality assurance standards in construction and familiarity with WASH, sewerage, and waste management systems is required.

• Experience in evaluating the needs, conditions and problems in developing countries related to infrastructure development is desirable.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Fluency and/or working knowledge of Urdu is required.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core values:
WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key competencies:
WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
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