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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a UN agency that works in about 170 countries and territories, helping eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience. It thereby helps them sustain progress and achieve Sustainable Development Goals. In Ukraine, UNDP operates in three programme priorities: Democratic Governance and Inclusive Social Fabric, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Recovery and Growth, and Sustainable Environment and Energy Transformation. Since the start of the hostilities in 2014 and the full-scale invasion in 2022, UNDP in Ukraine has been present on the ground, through its hubs around the country, supporting regional and local authorities and civil society partners in their emergency response and crisis management.

Lessons from the past years informed the development of UNDP’s Country Programme Document (2025-2029) and the scale-up of UNDP’s area-based work in Mykolaiv in partnership with the Government of Denmark. The programmatic pillars of reconstruction, returns, resilience and reforms, are focused on ensuring community recovery and creating conditions for the return to a development pathway in Ukraine.

Addressing the country’s complex reconstruction and recovery requires a holistic, systems-based response that empowers all parts of society - including government, local authorities, the private sector, and citizens - with the capacity and resources to respond effectively. To ensure a whole-of-society approach, the framework offers an integrated, participatory, and inclusive methodology to advance recovery in communities most affected by the war.

In this context, the Engineer will ensure that all infrastructure interventions are strategically planned, rigorously designed, and cost-effective reconstructions. By providing strong oversight, coordination, and reporting they will enable timely implementation, and maximize the project’s overall impact on local communities.


Duties and Responsibilities

Conduct Strategic Planning and Technical Needs Assessment: Undertake comprehensive technical assessments of existing community infrastructure assets to identify priority renovation and reconstruction needs, ensuring alignment with local recovery frameworks, sectoral development strategies, and the Programme’s objectives.

Formulate and coordinate technically grounded infrastructure reconstruction plans, in close cooperation with local authorities, utility providers, and private sector actors, ensuring technical feasibility, compliance with national construction standards, resilience to climate and conflict-related risks, and cost-effectiveness.

2. Oversee engineering design, technical preparation and procurement processes:

Ensure preparation of engineering design based on the universal design principles, cost estimates and drawings of infrastructure facilities by using services of qualified and competitive local engineering design companies; Contribute to preparation of necessary technical documentation; Facilitate the procurement of goods and services for civil works to be conducted in transparent, competitive, and conflict-sensitive manner as well as in line with UNDP bidding procedures; Prepare specifications, tender documents, Terms of Reference and other supportive documents to procure goods and services related to civil works in line with Programme objectives and tasks; Ensure procedures are in place for a selection of vendors (consultants, suppliers and construction companies) through transparent and competitive processes for provision of services.

3. Ensure construction oversight and quality assurance:

Provide support to construction/renovation of infrastructure facilities in targeted areas; Monitor the field activities, including supervision of construction and installation works and participate in acceptance of renovated/reconstructed infrastructure facilities in targeted areas to ensure the Programme results are delivered; Keep records related to completed construction and installation works and prepare necessary data for reporting on the implementation of construction works; Take measures to prevent and eliminate defects and make proposals on the most efficient use of available resources; Monitor contract schedules, the appropriate volume, timing and quality of construction and installation works, as well as quality of materials and designs according to the approved design and estimate documentation, drawings, construction regulations and requirements, technical specifications and safety and environmental standards; Check and provide certification of satisfactory completion of works of consultants, suppliers and construction companies for payment for their completed works. Ensure budget for the component is efficiently and properly utilized based on the principles of gender-responsive budgeting; Assure that due security measures are observed during implementation of the component activities; Assist with handover of the renovated/reconstructed infrastructures to the relevant authorities for operation and maintenance.

4. Provide support for efficient and effective delivery of the programme activities:

Consulting Components during preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents for timely commencement and implementation of the component activities related to civil works; Ensure the Programme activities are implemented timely and efficiently in close cooperation with respective governmental organizations; On a constant basis maintain coordination/partnership with relevant governmental, non­governmental and international organizations, including UN agencies and projects at national level and regional levels to increase positive impact of the mutual results on targeted areas that respond to the needs of women and men from different groups, including those with disabilities; Monitor field activities and provide technical support to ensure the Programme objectives are met; Maintain close liaison with national partners, ensuring optimum participation and promoting ownership of national authorities in the implementation of the Programme; Participate in relevant working group meetings and share information with partners and UN agencies; Ensure full compliance of programme activities with UNDP rules, regulations and procedures, specifically principles of gender equality and universal design; Prepare relevant sections of the programme reports, including progress and annual reports, as well as ad-hoc technical reports, evaluating the impact of programme activities on the lives of women and men in local communities.

5 . Ensuring the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, and promoting a safe, enabling environment free of discrimination and abusive behaviour in line with corporate standards.

Assist with ensuring the project contributes to the promotion of gender equality by reaching, involving, and benefiting both women and men. Use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards. Be aware of relevant gender issues and concerns in the field of expertise. Support the promotion of team culture of gender equality and zero tolerance to any sexual misconduct in the team through leadership and personal example. Demonstrate respect for gender equality in professional interactions, identify and address sexism and gender discrimination. Assist with informing and briefing personnel and partners about corporate sexual harassment and sexual exploitation and abuse policies.

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

6. Institutional Arrangement

The Engineer will work under the direct supervision of the ABR Programme Manager and in close cooperation with, and under technical oversight of, the Project Manager/Social & Economic Infrastructure and Redevelopment Thematic Group Lead.

Competencies

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 1: Open-minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Thematic Area Name Definition Business Direction and Strategy System Thinking Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.  Business Direction and Strategy Entrepreneurial Thinking Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDP’s organizational priorities and mandate. Business Direction and Strategy Negotiation and Influence Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Management

Communication Communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience. Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.

Business Management

Customer Satisfaction/Client

Management

Ability to respond timely and appropriately with a sense of urgency, provide consistent solutions, and deliver timely and quality results and/or solutions to fulfil and understand the real customers' needs. Provide inputs to the development of customer service strategy. Look for ways to add value beyond clients' immediate requests. Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.

Procurement

Supplier/relationship

Management

Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.

2030 Agenda: People

Gender

Gender-responsive Disaster Risk Reduction and Management

Skills and Experience

Min. Education requirements Advanced university degree (Master's Degree or equivalent) in Civil or Industrial (Structural and Architectural) Engineering, or any other related field is required; or

A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with additional two (2) years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of Master's degree.

Min. years of relevant work experience

Minimum of two (2) years (with Master's Degree) or four (4) years (with Bachelor's Degree) of relevant experience in designing and managing of civil engineering projects and/or economic infrastructure and/or urban development/renewal programmes or other related field.

Experience, Knowledge and Skills Sound knowledge of civil engineering and modern construction technology and knowledge of technical specifications and performance schedules of construction and installation works. Knowledge of procedures for quality control procedures. Familiarity with national legislation in construction, norms and standards of construction works, including critical infrastructures.

Excellent usage of computers and office software packages, including engineering design software.

Desirable Criteria Prior experience in the field of engineering supervision. Experience of working with municipalities and/or local and central authorities in recovery or energy efficiency rehabilitation projects/activities, as well as with economic development issues at the national and sub-national levels. Experience of working with UN and/or INGO or Public Sector or Private Sector in bidding procedures for procurement of civil works and services. Required Language(s) Fluency in Ukrainian and English is required. Professional Certificates Professional engineering certificates (technical supervision, design and estimate documentation, energy-efficiency audit) will be considered an advantage.

Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination

UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

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