National Consultant: Project Engineer

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Purpose of consultancy The purpose of this assignment is to hire a Project Engineer who will oversee the evaluation, planning, and execution of refurbishment/retrofitting activities across designated healthcare facilities/centers. The Project Engineer will ensure that all renovations meet the high standards required for environmental sustainability, climate resilience, WASH, and waste management facility improvement, based on WHO guidance for climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities. The Project Engineer will work in close collaboration and in consultation with the Environmental Health Units of the Ministry of Health.

Background

Absent appropriate and rapid health-focused adaptation strategies, climate change has the potential to cause a range of significant negative health impacts. In Kiribati, climate change affects human health through multiple pathways, including an increased risk of water-borne diseases (e.g., diarrhoeal diseases) and vector-borne diseases; increased food and water insecurity leading to nutritional issues; and disruption of health systems due to climate-induced extreme weather events and sea-level rise. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards and the limited capacity of the health system—including inadequate infrastructure, human resources, and supplies—along with the remoteness and inaccessibility of many communities, creates significant challenges in reducing climate change–related morbidity and mortality.

Climate change threats to health systems are particularly evident in healthcare facilities. The majority of the population and healthcare facilities in Kiribati are located in proximity to low-lying coastal areas and are highly vulnerable to floods, storm surges, sea-level rise, and disruptions to water supply caused by drought or the salinization of aquifers, all of which are projected to increase in intensity with climate change. Damage to these buildings and essential supplies affects their capacity to provide health services during emergency situations.

In consultation with stakeholders, the WHO/UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) project is designed to enhance the climate resilience of health systems in Kiribati. Utilizing this funding, the World Health Organization (WHO), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, is embarking on an initiative to refurbish several high-risk healthcare facilities/centres across Kiribati. This project aims to enhance the environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and waste management systems of these centres. The goal is to ensure that healthcare facilities are equipped to meet modern standards and can efficiently serve their communities, even in adverse conditions.

Deliverables

Job Description

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Under the supervision of the Technical Officer, Climate Change and Health at the WHO Kiribati Country Liaison Office, the Project Engineer Consultant will perform the following activities:
Output 1: Provide overall technical support in planning, coordinating, and monitoring the implementation of the CRESHCF interventions, including but not limited to the renovation of selected healthcare facilities, the installation of solar energy systems, and the retrofitting of rainwater harvesting systems.
Deliverable 1: Conduct needs assessments for the planned CRESHCF interventions, including site assessments, infrastructure condition surveys, and identification of technical requirements.
Deliverable 2: Develop a detailed workplan that includes tasks, timelines, resource allocation, procurement requirements, and budget estimates.
Deliverable 3: Draft adjudication report (AR), request for proposal for tender advertisement and support the procurement process by preparing technical documentation, reviewing bids, and providing technical evaluation of contractors and suppliers.
Deliverable 4: Supervise and monitor construction, installation, and retrofitting works to ensure compliance with approved designs, quality standards, and timelines.
Deliverable 5: Ensure integration of climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and WASH standards in all infrastructure interventions.
Deliverable 6: Provide regular site progress reports, including technical updates, risk assessments, and mitigation measures.
Deliverable 7: Conduct final inspections and certify completion of works in accordance with agreed specifications and quality standards.

Output 2: Coordinate closely with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Sustainable Energy (MISE) to undertake scoping assessments, review Bills of Quantities (BOQs), conduct periodic quality assurance inspections, and prepare progress and completion reports for healthcare facility refurbishment works. This coordination will ensure that all works are implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, timelines, and quality standards as outlined in the APW and RFP.
Deliverable 1: Healthcare facility refurbishment works are completed in accordance with approved designs, Bills of Quantities (BOQs), and technical specifications, fully meeting the quality standards and requirements outlined in the APW and RFP.
Deliverable 2: Regular, timely, and accurate progress reports are prepared and submitted, documenting the status of works, key achievements, challenges encountered, and corrective actions taken to ensure adherence to agreed timelines and standards.
Deliverable 3: Comprehensive quality assurance inspection reports are conducted and documented at key stages of implementation, confirming compliance with construction standards, safety requirements, and project specifications.
Deliverable 4: Final completion reports are prepared and validated, confirming that all refurbishment works have been delivered as planned, deficiencies have been addressed, and facilities are ready for operational use.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: University degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, architecture, building services engineering, environmental health, public health or related fields.

Desirable: Master’s degree in civil engineering, structural engineering, construction management, architecture, building services engineering, environmental health, public health or related fields.

Experience

Essential: At least two (2) years of relevant experience working with government projects such as building and maintenance of government buildings or healthcare facilities, especially working on outer island construction projects.

Desirable:

• Proven experience in managing construction or refurbishment projects, preferably in healthcare settings.
• Experience in preparing project work plans and developing Bills of BOQs.
• Experience in working with green technologies and disaster-resistant constructions.

Technical skills and knowledge

1. Engineering skills: Civil/structural basics, climate-resilient design, solar and water systems
2. Project management: Work planning, budgeting, scheduling, contractor supervision
3. Quality control: Site inspections, compliance with standards, risk management
4. Coordination skills: Work with government, contractors, and communities
5. Communication: Report writing, documentation, training delivery
6. Problem-solving: Handle delays, logistics issues, and remote conditions
7. Digital skills: MS Office, basic engineering tools (e.g., AutoCAD)
8. Personal qualities: Organized, adaptable, detail-oriented, professional

Languages:

Essential: Fluency in the English language.

Competencies

• Technical expertise.
• Communication
• Producing results
• Teamwork

Location

The consultant will be based full-time onsite in WHO Country Liaison Office in Kiribati.

Travel

The consultant will be based in Tarawa, Kiribati, and may be required to travel to the outer islands of the country.

Remuneration (travel costs are excluded)

• Remuneration: The consultancy fee ranges between AUD2,535.75 to AUD3,020.58 per month subject to qualifications and experience.
• Expected duration of contract: 11 months.

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• This role is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by Kiribati nationals recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
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