Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations is at the forefront of work towards sustainable agriculture and food systems by promoting protection and sustainable use of natural resources, while meeting society’s growing needs for decent and resilient livelihoods. FAO has worked in Sri Lanka for over four decades, sharing technical expertise and building the capacity of stakeholders in agriculture, fisheries, One health, livestock, forestry and environment sectors to build resilience, increase food security and ensure sustainable management of natural resources.

The project "One Vision, One Shield: Sri Lanka’s Integrated One Health Pandemic Preparedness & Response" (GCP/SRL/086/PAF) aims to strengthen Sri Lanka’s pandemic preparedness through an integrated One Health approach covering human, animal and environmental health sectors. A substantial component of the project is implemented by FAO in collaboration with WHO, UNICEF, ADB and the World Bank. The project focuses on strengthening surveillance systems, improving laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and enhancing workforce capacity nationwide. Key activities include upgrading and rehabilitating laboratory infrastructure, improving biosafety compliance, developing integrated early warning systems and implementing multisectoral capacity-building initiatives.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall administrative leadership and supervision of the FAO Representative in Sri Lanka (FAOR), and the direct supervision of the Assistant FAO Representative (Programme), the National Engineer will work under the overall guidance of the Sri Lanka Pandemic Fund Team Leader. The incumbent will also receive technical guidance from the Lead Technical Officer(s) at the FAO Regional Office and relevant technical divisions at FAO Headquarters, while working in close coordination with the FAO Country Office, technical, operational, and procurement teams.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide engineering, procurement and contract administration support for the refurbishment and upgrading of targeted laboratory facilities. The work will focus on construction supervision, technical evaluation, quality assurance, payment certification and compliance with approved designs, specifications, contract requirements, biosafety standards, FAO requirements, national regulations, and occupational health and safety standards.

Tasks and 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.

Procurement and Technical Evaluation

•    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.

Specialized Supervision and Oversight of Works

•    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.

Reporting, Certification and Payments

•    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.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum 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, with 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.

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical / Functional Skills:

•    Extent and relevance of experience in construction supervision, quality assurance, site safety and contract compliance.
•    Extent and relevance of experience in reviewing engineering designs, MEP systems, specifications, Bills of Quantities, as-built documentation and payment claims.
•    Understanding laboratory functionality, biosafety/biosecurity requirements, ABSL-I/ABSL-II compliance, occupational health and safety standards, and national construction regulations will be an advantage.
•    Ability to identify construction defects, non-conformities, risks and delays, and recommend practical corrective or acceleration measures.
•    Ability to prepare concise, high-quality technical reports, inspection notes, meeting minutes, recommendations and completion documentation.
•    Ability to work effectively with different stakeholders including, laboratory management, contractors, biosafety officers, procurement teams and multidisciplinary technical teams.

Selection Criteria

•    Relevance of professional experience to laboratory, healthcare, public infrastructure, or technically complex refurbishment works.
•    Quality and relevance of experience in procurement support, contract administration, payment certification, variation review and contractor supervision.
•    Demonstrated ability to work under tight implementation timelines and undertake regular field missions to project sites.
•    Relevance of experience working with international organizations, or donor-funded projects will be an advantage.