Quantity Surveyor

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.

Working with us

UNOPS offers short- and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.

Diversity

With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.

Work life harmonization

UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the Government and people of Afghanistan through delivery of projects and services in line with the government’s national priorities. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS AFCO is implementing a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure (roads, bridges, justice and security, health, and water supply) development, procurement services, HR services, capacity building, and humanitarian protection, amongst others, on behalf of the Government of Afghanistan, the international donor community, and other UN agencies.

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to the achievement of the development outcomes sought by the Government of Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the reconstruction and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO’s services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve significantly the lives of all Afghans in need

Purpose and Scope of Assignment

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, and in close coordination with other project staff, the Quantity Surveyor will provide quantity surveying expertise to the project in taking off quantities, preparing cost estimates, drafting contracts, managing the administration of contracts, and managing contractor payment process, in accordance with UNOPS guidelines and procedures and other applicable national and international standards. Specific responsibilities and duties include, but not limited to:

• Prepare Bills and Schedules of Quantities of materials, labor, and services required in the construction and engineering works.

• Prepare tender documents, Bills of Quantities and Engineer’s estimates for works, services and goods, variations, and change orders.

• Prepare and analyse costing of bids received (price bid evaluations).

• Prepare specifications when required.

• Undertake costs/rate analysis for construction works, including repair and rehabilitation works.

• Prepare budgetary estimates for comparison of various engineering options for studies and evaluations.

• Provide advice on contractual claims and assist in claim analysis.

• Manage the entire process of contractor payments from receiving progress claims/invoices, valuing completed work, checking contractor’s invoices and making recommendations, arranging payments and systematic record keeping.

• Participate in site visits, monitor and assess projects being implemented to ensure conformance with the design and cost estimates.

• Provide assistance to the preparation of Technical Reports for new and ongoing projects.

• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent professional qualification. 

Work Experience 

• At least 7 years experience in quantity surveying related to building construction.

• A minimum 5  years experience in construction of buildings.

• Proficient in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint), quantity surveying/contract management software and experience in handling web-based management systems.

• Knowledge and skills in using AutoCAD will be an advantage.

• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations preferred.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge of both written and oral English and Dari is required.

• Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
• Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
• The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.