Tiered Approach
In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:
- Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
- Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
- Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
- Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates
Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.
Background
The KOICA-funded Abuja Centre for Entrepreneurship (ACE) Project, implemented through a partnership between KOICA, UNDP and SMEDAN, seeks to establish a functional, energy-efficient and accessible entrepreneurship centre in Abuja that strengthens Nigeria’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem. The project involves the construction and development of the ACE facility at the SMEDAN Compound in Idu Industrial Area. The facility is designed to provide a conducive environment for youth development, entrepreneurship, innovation and lifelong learning, with a particular focus on young entrepreneurs, start-ups, MSMEs, women, persons with disabilities and other underserved groups. Direct beneficiaries include prospective youth entrepreneurs, start-ups across FinTech, EdTech, HealthTech and Agri Tech, and MSMEs, alongside professionals and workers engaged across the construction supply chain.
The project contributes to SDGs 4, 8, 9 and 17 and aligns with Nigeria’s Development Plan, Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, National MSME Policy and FCT Economic and Empowerment Development Strategies, as well as KOICA’s priorities on digital skills, youth empowerment, innovation, industrial development and women’s economic empowerment. Under the partnership, KOICA and UNDP are responsible for the design, construction, environmental and social safeguards, project supervision, installation of solar photovoltaic systems, landscaping and preparation of the facility for handover to SMEDAN, while SMEDAN will serve as the implementing/partner agency. The project is expected to deliver approved architectural and engineering designs, a completed ACE facility and associated services, and effective project communication and visibility, ultimately providing a green, energy-efficient and fully accessible entrepreneurship facility that can support the growth of Nigeria’s youth-led enterprises and MSMEs.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the direct supervision of the National Programme Specialist/ the NJFP Project Manager, the Quantity Surveyor will be responsible for the following functions and tasks:
1.Actively support the assessment activities for infrastructure construction/rehabilitation activities in the targeted sites.
- Conduct site visits to assess the need for civil works;
- Prepare an analysis of the civil works intervention and cost estimate.
2. Actively support the preparation of technical documents for the civil works projects and prepare detailed BOQs, specifications and internal cost estimates
- Review and verify the designs of infrastructure facilities, such as police facilities, school buildings, toilet and WASH facilities, boreholes, housing units and others;
- Review and certify the government standard specifications, which are submitted by the respective authorities for civil works. Recommend the necessary adjustments, if any;
- Prepare detailed BOQs, specifications and cost estimate of infrastructure facilities.
3. Provide technical and civil engineering support for smooth procurement
- Work with the project team to produce project technical documents for the procurement unit for processing;
- Work closely with the procurement unit and support in advertising the civil works procurement cases, pre-bid meetings and bidders' clarifications;
- Support technical evaluation process. prepare bids arithmetic check and Financial Analysis (FA) reports;
- Provide advice on any procurement-related issues;
- Support the KOICA project in verifying the Variation Orders (VO) (if required);
- Assist UNDP as an expert witness in litigation arising from the development or construction of the project and in bearings before various approving and regulatory agencies.
4. Ensure the management of civil works projects
- Conduct construction inspection including inspection of materials, samples, and equipment to be installed are meeting the UNDP Contract specifications and standards;
- Ensure that the Contractors maintain safety on the site and clean the site after the completion of the rehabilitation work;
- Support monitoring progress of infrastructure construction/rehabilitation activities particularly from an engineering point of view and promptly report any abnormality or risks to the respective UNDP project managers and project teams;
- Discuss site issues with the Contractor for construction/renovation of civil works projects and promptly report back to UNDP if a problem arises that requires UNDP input;
- Verify payments submitted by the contracts and prepare valuation of work implemented;
- Identify and report risks or abnormalities related to civil works to the Senior Civil Engineer and the engineering team as well as respective project managers;
- Ensuring proper close-out of projects (site cleaning, payment of wages etc) by contractors before demobilisation.
5. Facilitate knowledge, capacity building and knowledge sharing.
- Assist in organizing training, workshops, and capacity building activities in a consultative manner, involving technical experts and stakeholders that may include the government, private sector, NGOs, donors, and/or academia;
- Identify, synthesize and document best practices and lessons learned that are generated from the project and implementing partners;
- Participate in and ensure sound contributions to knowledge networks and communities of practice on project related issues;
- Support establishment of knowledge platforms for the project, facilitate innovative mechanisms for dissemination of knowledge from the project, and develop knowledge resources and products to share with project partners and to support UNDP’s engagement in this area.
The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional arrangements:
The Quantity Surveyor would be reporting to the the National Programme Specialist/ NJFP Project Manager.
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
Business Management
- Results-based Management
- Ability to manage programmes and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results.
- Ability to manage the implementation of strategies, programmes, and projects with a focus at improved performance and demonstrable results;
- Knowledge and understanding of relevant theories, concepts, methodologies, instruments, and tools.
- Project Management
- Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
Business Direction & Strategy
Strategic Thinking
- Ability to develop effective strategies and prioritized plans in line with UNDP's objectives, based on the systemic analysis of challenges, potential risks and opportunities; linking the vision to reality on the ground, and creating tangible solutions.
- Ability to leverage learning from a variety of sources to anticipate and respond to future trends; to demonstrate foresight in order to model what future developments and possible ways forward look like for UNDP.
- 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 Development
- 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.
- Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.
Partnership management
- Relationship Management
- Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the field of Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or closely related fields is required. Or
- A first university degree (bachelor’s degree) with a combination of additional two years of qualifying relevant experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- CIPS level 3 is highly desirable for this position and candidates holding this level at the time of application will have a distinct advantage. If the desired certification is not available at the time of recruitment, it should be obtained within one year of recruitment. Candidates holding a CIPS certification at any level below at the time of application will have a proportionate advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of 2 years (with master’s degree) or 4 years (with bachelor’s degree) of progressively responsible experience in quantity surveying for residential and public service infrastructures, including construction and renovation projects is required.
Required Skills
- Experience in Project management is required;
- Experience in Civil Works Procurement is required;
- Experience in handling tender documents for turnkey contracts, including technical inputs/specifications for the procurement of services using the conditions of international lending/funding agencies is required;
- Proven ability to work with multi-disciplinary teams and liaison with authorities is required.
Desired Skills
- Proficiency in preparing bills of quantities (BOQs), and cost estimates for structural items is desired;
- Experience with Quantum or similar systems is desirable;
- Experience in managing quantity surveying aspects of large-scale projects and solar power projects is desirable;
- Experience in accurately assessing project costs, analyzing construction materials and labor requirements, and ensuring cost-effectiveness throughout project lifecycles is desirable;
- Experience in the use of Microsoft Office packages, and ERP systems like Oracle, Quantum is desirable.
Languages
- Fluency in English is required.
Other Requirements
- Member of the Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria (QSRBN) is an asset.
- Member Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors is an asset.
Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.
Right to select multiple candidates
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.
Use of AI by candidates
Applicants are invited to read UNDP’s guidance for candidates on using AI responsibly in UNDP recruitment and selection
Scam alert
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