Senior Water Specialist Advisor

Background Information - Job-specific

In December 2012, UNOPS signed an agreement with Mexican Banco Nacional de Comercio Exterior SNC (Bancomext) for the administration of the Infrastructure Fund for Mesoamerica and Caribbean Countries. Accordingly, Bancomext and the Government of Mexico, acting through UNOPS, seek to support economic and social development, as well as regional integration in Central America and the Caribbean. UNOPS is providing project management and infrastructure expertise and collaborates with the beneficiary countries for the implementation of the projects. Several countries within the Caribbean Region have requested the financial support of Mexico through a donation from the Fund and there is currently a portfolio of 4 projects approved in Saint Lucia, Belize, Jamaica; 2 projects pending approval in St Vincent, Grenada and 3 projects in submission in St Kitts, Barbados and the Bahamas.

The current vacancy relates to the projects in the field of water in St Lucia, St Kitts, Barbados and the Bahamas with potential supports to any other initiatives in the region that requires water expertise. The currently approved project in Saint Lucia relates to the design and construction of an integrated and sustainable potable water solution in an area where the population (approx. 10,000 habitants) only receives water a couple of days a week, and the water is often led directly and untreated from the river to the main. To resolve this situation there is a need to construct a new water intake and treatment plant, along with the required storage, transmission and distribution network. Preliminary studies including a conceptual design have been developed and UNOPS has been mandated to manage the implementation of this project in collaboration with the Government of Saint Lucia and relevant agencies.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the Portfolio Manager (PM) for the Caribbean, the Senior Water Specialist Advisor (SWSA) provides technical support to projects, ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work. The SWSA promotes a client-oriented approach consistent with UNOPS rules and regulations. He/she is expected to meet and exceed the organizations performance and delivery goals.
S/he must be able to apply, independently, the below duties and responsibilities of the project success criteria:

• Review and provide comments and recommendations on project’s technical documentation including but not limited to preliminary studies, conceptual and detailed designs, technical specifications, overall water system solutions proposed or project justification, etc.
• Review and provide comments and recommendation on procurement including but not limited to procurement strategies, tender documents, evaluation criteria, etc.
• Participate in the evaluation of bids and contract negotiations with suppliers of services, goods and works.
• Undertake site visits to different countries as required to assess and provide recommendations on project activities as well as ensure quality control procedures (equipment before shipment, reception of equipment and material, works performed, etc.)
• Provide guidance and supporting material to facilitate the quality control activities
• Identify and report any risk to the projects based on the technical reviews performed
• Support UNOPS offices in the region in the production of project proposals for financing (including visits to the countries and analysis of local providers’ capacity, market prices, etc.)
• Support the project teams on all technical matters as required
• The activities require travels in different countries for an estimated 50% of the total period of work. The total period of work to be contracted is estimated at 3 months over a period of 12 months.

HOW TO APPLY:

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