National Engineer

The National Engineer will provide engineering, procurement and contract administration support for the refurbishment and upgrading of targeted laboratory facilities in Sri Lanka. The role involves construction supervision, technical evaluation, quality assurance, payment certification and ensuring compliance with approved designs, biosafety standards, and national regulations.

Responsibilities

• Support procurement and contract administration processes, including technical review of bids, preparation of technical recommendations and documentation related to the commencement of works.
• Provide technical inputs relating to laboratory refurbishment and upgrading works, with reference to approved designs, specifications, contractual requirements, biosafety standards, FAO requirements, national regulations and occupational health and safety standards.
• Review the Contractor’s proposed work programme, construction methodology, implementation schedule, material sources and materials proposed for use, and submit technical recommendations.
• Review information relating to work implementation, quality, safety, risks, delays and contractual compliance, and recommend appropriate corrective or acceleration measures where necessary.
• Facilitate effective communication and information exchange among relevant stakeholders to support timely implementation and minimise disruption to laboratory operations.
• Support the maintenance of appropriate project and site documentation, including construction diaries, logbooks, inspection records, meeting minutes, technical instructions, test reports and non-conformance records.
• Prepare brief monthly, periodic and final reports for FAO management covering implementation status, quality, risks, delays, payments, variations and matters requiring decisions.
• Review approved technical designs, drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and laboratory-specific requirements, with particular attention to laboratory functionality, mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, biosafety requirements, durability and ABSL-I/ABSL-II compliance.
• Participate in the technical evaluation of bids by assessing bidders’ methodologies, technical capacity, proposed materials, safety measures and compliance with laboratory engineering and construction requirements.
• Prepare technical evaluation inputs and recommendations for contract award in consultation with FAO procurement and project teams.
• Support the clarification of technical matters relating to bid documents, drawings, specifications, Bills of Quantities and other relevant contract documents.
• Undertake technical reviews and site visits to assess whether works are being implemented in accordance with approved designs, technical specifications, contract provisions, biosafety requirements and applicable national construction regulations.
• Review and clarify design details and provide technical advice relating to their application during implementation, in accordance with the authority delegated by the Contract Manager.
• Assess workmanship, materials, laboratory utilities, ventilation and exhaust systems, electrical systems, water supply, drainage, waste management, effluent treatment, decontamination provisions and safety systems.
• Review materials proposed or used for the works and submit recommendations regarding their approval, rejection, removal, substitution or the need for additional testing and inspection.
• Review site safety arrangements and identify measures required to address hazards that may affect workers, laboratory personnel, visitors or the works.
• Identify technical defects, non-conformities, biosafety concerns, construction issues and delays, and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Review implementation against the approved work programme and contractual milestones and advise on appropriate measures where delays or deviations are identified.
• Assess variations, unpriced works, additional costs, proposed subcontracting, extensions of time and Contractor claims, and submit technical recommendations to the Contract Manager.
• Undertake site visits during the Defects Liability Period, prepare deficiency lists, review corrective works and recommend closure of outstanding defects.
• Review Contractors’ progress reports, technical reports, commissioning reports, as-built documentation and other construction-related submissions.
• Participate in joint measurements of completed works, verify quantities, undertake quantity calculations for payment purposes and co-sign periodic and final Bills of Quantities, as applicable.
• Review payment claims against verified physical completion, quality requirements, contractual compliance and satisfactory completion of the relevant works, and provide technical recommendations.
• Assess the technical completion and functional readiness of laboratories for safe operation at the required ABSL-I/ABSL-II level.
• Provide technical advice to the Contract Manager regarding Contractor claims, variations, delays, payment-related matters and possible dispute-resolution processes, where required.
• Participate in regular monthly and ad hoc meetings with relevant parties and prepare records of discussions, decisions and agreed action points.

Requirements

• University degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, Quantity Surveying, Building Services Engineering, or another related engineering/construction discipline.
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in building infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrading, including at least 3 years of experience in laboratory, healthcare or other controlled-environment facilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in technical design review, MEP and ventilation systems, construction oversight, contract administration, procurement support, bid evaluation, site inspection, measurement, payment certification, variation and claim review, and contractor performance assessment.
• Working knowledge of English (C1) is required.
• Knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil is an asset.
• National of Sri Lanka or resident of the country with a valid work permit.

Skills

• Civil Engineering
• Structural Engineering
• Construction Management
• Technical Design Review
• MEP Systems
• Ventilation Systems
• Construction Oversight
• Contract Administration
• Procurement Support
• Bid Evaluation
• Site Inspections
• Measurement and Payment Certification
• Variation and Claim Review
• Contractor Performance Assessment
• Building Infrastructure Rehabilitation
• Laboratory Facility Upgrading
• Quality Assurance
• Compliance with Biosafety Standards
• National Regulations Compliance

Languages

English, Sinhala, Tamil