Office/Unit/Project Description: 

As a result of the Rohingya refugee influx to Bangladesh, the population of two Upazilas (sub-districts) of Ukhiya and Teknaf in the southern part of Cox’s Bazar has risen to around 1.5 million people. This has enormously contributed to health and environmental challenges, including under-resourced solid waste management (SWM) services. It is estimated that over 10,000 tons or around 22,000 cubic meters of waste per month is generated in the two Upazilas, which do not have a functioning SWM system. Similarly, the refugee camps generate approximately 140 tons of waste per day.

Solid waste discarded by refugee and host community households, markets both inside and outside the camps, and resulting from the distribution of humanitarian support at random sites lacking management and disposal, is likely to lead to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrhea and malaria. Environmentally, uncontrolled solid waste also causes contamination to surface and groundwater sources. The situation is usually aggravated during the cyclone and monsoon season.

UNDP has received funding to implement a project titled “Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh.” The project is a response to the Rohingya crisis in Bangladesh and the resulting pressing need for SWM in both the host communities and refugee camps.

The UNDP’s Solid Waste Management Support Project for Host & Rohingya Communities in Cox’s Bazar District of Bangladesh targets the protection of women and children, the prevention of diseases, and the promotion of hygiene and proper sanitary standards. It will be implemented in Host and Refugee communities.

Additionally, the project aims to build the capacity of local government, create immediate and long-term employment, and promote a circular economy while at the same time contributing to a conducive environment.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Development Specialist- Solid Waste Management (PDS-SWM) and close coordination with the Solid Waste and Catchment Management Analyst of UNDP Cox’s Bazar (CXB), the Project Engineer will have the following scope of work:

• Assist the PDS-SWM in formulating and overseeing the implementation of the day-to-day project activities, strategies, and action plans for the engineering and livelihoods component, as well as the detailed evaluation, design, and construction of facilities under this project.
• Support and guide the implementing partners in the two Upazilas of Ukhiya and Teknaf related to engineering and environmental activities.
• Act as a focal point for the project’s engineering and environmental component for the construction activities related to the sanitary landfill site.
• Assist the project management in evaluating, designing, and constructing waste management facilities and collecting and disseminating information between project staff and the government.
• Assess and propose an ecosystem restoration plan for the site.

Job Responsibilities (JR) 

1: Support the Project Cycle.

• Support the design phase of the project.
• Prepare a work schedule in consultation with PDS-SWM and implement partner.
• Plan, design, and monitor the extension work, in particular, the restoration/expansion of the Sanitary Landfill in Camp 20 Ext, Ukhiya Upazila.
• Prepare a plan for budget allocation and transfer as required.
• Support to conduct Environmental Impact Assessment for all final SW facilities and proper Environmental mitigation and monitoring plans (including contributing to the UNDP Social Environmental Standards tool).
• Support to other sector data analysis regarding waste collection, transportation, processing, and proper disposal in Teknaf and Ukhiya, camps and host communities.
• Provide day-to-day management support to the implementing partners in all locations.
• Manage and monitor payment processing for local government/partners for infrastructure under LoA activities.
• Support implementing partners to ensure the quality of construction work on project sites.
• Plan, design, and monitor MRF construction in the project areas.
• Establish and maintain efficient communication channels between contractors, implementing partners, and UNDP.
• Ensure proper handover of all SW Facilities to local authorities/INGOs/UN agencies.
• Assist the PDS-SWM in identifying and reporting the issues/challenges related to project implementation and articulate corrective measures based on monitoring results to all project assistants in working locations.
• Provide training & progress evaluation to IPs and involve local government authorities in SWM systems and SWM Infrastructure operation and management.
• Assist the PDS-SWM in coordinating with Local Government/concern government department.
• Assist the PDS-SWM in compiling infrastructure implementation and supervision of the project.
• Supervise the Project staff in communication and work closely with local government sanitation departments to ensure efficient and effective implementation of infrastructure activities.
• Identification and procurement of necessary equipment, materials, and construction work for the SWM systems and infrastructures (e.g., motorized vehicles, soil coverage, vehicle reparation, etc.).
• Any other related tasks as specified by the PDS-SWM.

2: Ensure the monitoring of project activities.

• Regular monitoring of construction activities.
• Establishment and monitoring of Operation & Maintenance procedures of SW Facilities by the IPs and plan for new activities accordingly (e.g. coverage soil, reparation work, equipment, etc.).
• Carry out monitoring visits to validate the project’s progress and compile the progress and impacts of the project.
• Work closely with the implementing partner to develop a project monitoring framework.
• Participate in monitoring project activities and based on the monitoring results, where necessary, suggest troubleshooting project problems and corrective measures to improve waste management.
• Assist the PDS-SWM in monitoring infrastructure activities per LOA and budget plans.
• Assist PDS-SWM in ensuring quality assurance of the work and partner milestone requests for the implementation of the projects.

3: Support capacity building and knowledge sharing

• Contribute to building the capacity of other team members to ensure proper monitoring and evaluation of the projects.
• Assist the project management team in preparing presentations and briefings, including performance monitoring charts and tables on all the results achieved by the projects or as deemed necessary for internal or donor reporting.
• Assist in organizing and leading information dissemination, seminars, workshops, and meetings.
• Facilitate “Learning and sharing” workshops for the stakeholders.
• Ensure gender mainstreaming in the M&E and reports.

Expected Results

1. Establishment of Camp and Municipal Solid Waste Management System (collection to disposal) and recycling of waste derived from refugee and local communities via implementing Waste Recovery procedures.
2. The planning and construction of sanitary landfills for enhanced safer waste disposal.
3. Interim livelihood restoration and longer-term waste management livelihood creation via implementation of waste recycling/recovery projects; and
4. Effective and efficient project management, monitoring, and oversight.

    Institutional Arrangement

• The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Project Development Specialist- Solid Waste Management in the UNDP sub-office, Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.
• The incumbent will engage with the SWM team at UNDP Cox’s Bazar and other stakeholders as needed to ensure smooth project implementation.
• The incumbent will prepare project updates on a weekly basis and shares with PDS-SWM to share it to Project Management team.
• The incumbent will participate and contribute to the SWM working group/WASH sector.

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core Competencies

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

System Thinking: Ability to use analytical skills to develop engineering designs along with the costing and feasibility of implementation. Analyze how altering one element in engineering may impact other parts of the system/process. 

Effective Decision Making: Ability to take decisions in a timely and efficient manner in line with one’s authority, area of expertise and resources

Negotiation and Influence: Ability to reach an understanding, persuade others, resolve points of difference, gain an advantage in the outcome of dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions through compromise, and create “win-win” situations. 

Recovery Solutions and Human Mobility: Debris/Solid Waste Management

Communication: Ability to 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

Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and program performance and results 

Nature, Climate and Energy: Chemicals and Waste management: practical application

Required Skills and Experience

Education 

Secondary education is required.

OR

University degree (Bachelor´s degree) in civil/construction engineering, environmental engineering or management, and urban and rural planning (engineering)will be given due consideration but is not a requirement

Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

Experience

Minimum 7 years (with Secondary Education) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressive experience in dealing with environmental management, environmental engineering, WASH, and development projects at the national or international level is required.

Required Skills

• Experience with public, private, and International Organizations, in engineering, environmental activities, WASH, or development.
• Experience of working with design software, like AutoCAD, etc.
• Knowledge of preparing design drawing of infrastructure and preparing Bill of Quantities (BoQ)
• Proven ability  to work under pressure, and travel to project sites

Desired additional skills and competencies

• Good communication, interpersonal and liaison skills/experience.
• Experience in working and engaging with, international organizations, research institutes, think tanks or development organizations will be preferable.
• Experience of working with local government (preferably with sanitation departments).
• Proven ability to deal and manage construction workers.
• Experience of working in Cox’s Bazar is an advantage.

Languages

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Bangla is required

Disclaimer

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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.

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