Senior Engineer Project Manager

Blessing Kudzionera

** ******** ****, ** ********, Harare.

***********@********.*** +263-**-***-**** +263-**-***-****

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blessing-kudzionera/

Project Manager Projects Civil Engineer Construction Specialist

Professional Summary

Seasoned Civil and Construction Engineer with over 10 years of experience in engineering, procurement, project management, and managing large-scale infrastructure projects, for high-impact organizations including Zimbabwe Power Company, Government of Zimbabwe and United Nations agencies. Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Construction Professional (PMI-CP) and CIPS Level 4 qualified Civil and Construction Engineer with a strong track record in works supervision, contract management, procurement, and compliance with ISO9001, ISO14001, and ISO45001 Integrated Management Systems. Experienced in optimizing resource allocation, driving SHEQ performance, and maintaining strong client relationships. Well-positioned to support strategic project delivery and enhance operational efficiency in a dynamic mining environment.

Key Skills

-Construction Project and Contract Management (FIDIC Silver Book),

-Procurement Planning and Strategy,

-Site Supervision and Coordination,

-Cost Control and Budget Monitoring,

-Risk Management and Regulatory Compliance,

-Operational Reporting,

-Proficiency in MS Project & Office,

SHEQ & IMS Compliance.

Professional Experience

Project Civil Engineer 02/2023 to present.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Harare, Zimbabwe

Supported and oversaw end-to-end development and implementation of procurement strategies for infrastructure projects in line with UNDP and donor policies,

Prepared contract documents, including drawings, scope statements, and Bills of Quantities for new infrastructure and renovations projects around Zimbabwe,

Supervised contractors to ensure compliance with the project, national and international quality standards,

Participated in site assessments, scope development, tendering, evaluation, contract negotiations and post-award administration of contractors for various projects within the Global Fund Procurement Management Unit,

Facilitated training workshops and collaborated with partners, government and local authority experts to build institutional capacity in the delivery of infrastructure projects funded by Global Fund,

Managed project risks, financial oversight, and resource allocation to ensure timely completion of projects to the expected agreed quality standards,

Developed the project monitoring plans and collaborated with government engineers, consultants, and local authority experts in the delivery of infrastructure projects,

Enforced SHEQ protocols and supported ISO-based audits across project sites,

Contributed to system assessments, procurement audits and participated in supplier selection for RFQ, ITB and RFP in line with UNDP POPP and MAPS indicators,

Effectively managed project interfaces and triple constraints (scope, budget and schedule) to ensure project success using the UNDP Bespoke Conditions of Contract,

Managed variations, contracts and reviewed contractor performance, in Quantum ERP, to proactively mitigate project risks,

Chaired meetings with contractors and suppliers, reviewed project updates and generated tailored reports to managers and stakeholders,

Supported the development of Terms of Reference (ToR) for services outsourced to individual contractors and partners,

Developed project scope and participated in the procurement process and construction of over 150 solarized boreholes, pharmacy store buildings, renovation of buildings, hospital incinerators and medical gas infrastructure to combat HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria.

Associate Civil Engineer (Bridges and WASH Engineer) 08/2022 to 01/2023

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Chimanimani, Zimbabwe

Provided technical support in the development and implementation of WASH scope and strategy in line with stakeholder needs,

Facilitated stakeholder training and engagement and collaborated with partners, local authority and government ministries to craft measures to enhance the sustainability of the intervention,

Prepared reports, tracked KPIs, and facilitated site meetings with contractors and stakeholders,

Effectively managed project stakeholders by opening channels of communication and feedback mechanisms,

Maintained, updated, and ensured the accuracy of the online Project Management Information Systems (PMIS) to proactively mitigate against claims, scope creep and schedule overruns,

Led and nurtured project teams and collaborated with Local Authority and relevant government ministries to advance the interests of the projects,

Managed cross-functional teams and contractors in the delivery of civil infrastructure projects in line with the UNOPS Conditions of Contract,

Managed the successful construction of the $2.7 million Nyahode 4 Bridge and the $2.0 million Chimanimani WASH project whose scope included the construction of Nyahode, Tilbury and Medium Weirs; 2000m of 250mm HDPE pipe gravity main, renovation of the treatment and pumping system, 950m of 250mm force mains, two 600m3 RC tanks, reticulation system serving more than 300 households and the of the Ngangu Waste stabilization Ponds under the AfDB-funded Post-Cyclone Idai Recovery Project (PCIREP) in Chimanimani.

Administered contracts, inspected, measured, and certified works done by contractors on behalf of UNOPS in the post-Cyclone Idai projects (ZIRP and PCIREP)

Civil Engineer (Fixed Term Contract) 01/2020 to 08/2022

Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) – Hwange Expansion Project, (USD1.4 billion EPC Project)

Reviewed and approved Engineering Designs, Method statements and reports,

Monitored and inspected Civil and Structural Engineering works quality under supervision of Project Civil Engineer in line with ISO9001:2015 standards,

Participated in Quality Control checks, compared works with specifications and advised on any deviations and possible causes of action,

Conducted vendor quality surveillance to mitigate project risks because of non-performance or non-compliance by project suppliers and vendors,

Managed and ensured occupational health and safety of workers and the environment according to ISO 45001:2018 and ISO14001:2015 standards,

Inspected and tested Civil Engineering materials, equipment, and other receivables on delivery and during storage,

Trained junior engineers and supervised field teams on project execution and safety,

Supervised the construction of more than 7.5km of drainage, sewer, water pipelines, 250 megaliter water reservoir, roads, high-rise buildings, 175m cooling tower shell, 150m RC chimney among other infrastructure for the 750MW Power Plant,

Managed suppliers and contractors under the FIDIC Conditions of Contract,

Generated progress reports and advised the Project Site Manager on project execution,

Conducted and led Hazard Identification and Risk Assessments (HIRAs) and supervised contractors during construction of works.

Consultant Resident Engineer (part-time) 07/2017 to 12/2017

Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, ZW

Inspected and supervised construction works done by the Contractors on site,

Carried out tests of samples of materials and supplies and verified workmanship,

Approved in writing variations and extensions of the times for completion of the works as set out in the contract,

Explained, adjusted and modified in case of ambiguities or discrepancies the specifications and the relevant drawings of the Works,

Measured quantities of work completed and approved invoices submitted by the contractor for such quantities,

Determined the amount of liquidated damages and deduct them from any of the Contractor's invoices due for payment,

Certified the Completion of Works and Defects Liability Period,

Reported on preconstruction detailing state of preparedness of the Contractor for the works,

Prepared working drawings using AutoCAD and prepared BOQs for the projects,

Supervised contractors and enforced Health and Safety on site,

Inspected material quality and building services installation,

Produced and processed financial measurements and certified works for interim payments,

Chaired site meetings with stakeholders and generated progress reports and minutes to FAO.

Civil Engineering Lecturer-in-Charge 05/2013 to 12/2019

Mutare Polytechnic, Mutare, ZW

Prepared modules and manuals for student training,

Organised field visits to reinforce student understanding of the theoretical concept leant in class,

Supervised 10 lecturers and distributed the workloads appropriately to achieve the best results and lecturer-student ratio,

Volunteered as hostel warden for students housed in the college halls of residence,

Collaborated with the college nurse to ensure that unwell students get medical attention timeously,

Created and promoted health and safety in the laboratories and workshops,

Participated in college maintenance activities during student practical lessons,

Trained students in the following modules: Computer-Aided Design, Water Supply and Environmental Engineering, Structural Engineering Design, Civil Engineering Construction, Engineering Surveying and Transportation Engineering,

Organised training workshops and presentations,

Participated in curriculum review and advised on the trending and best forms of training for students to make them market ready,

Drafted strategies for ensuring that the institution provides quality training which is in sync with market trends.

Trainee Civil Engineer 01/2011 to 01/2012

Department of Roads, Ministry of Transport, Harare, ZW

Supervised laborers during road and bridge construction projects,

Ensured and promoted health and safety of workers and other road users by providing adequate signage and road communication systems to enable safe movement of people and traffic,

Collaborated with contractors and suppliers to ensure timeous delivery and safe storage of construction material,

Reviewed material data sheets for road construction material and advised on health, safety and environmental concerns,

Generated drawings for roads, survey maps and road drainage using AutoCAD Civil 3D software,

Tested gravels, bitumen, fill material and foundation soil using both in-situ and laboratory techniques,

Surveyed new access roads and supported the design flexible pavements,

Prepared BOQs and estimated gravel stockpile volumes for proposed road construction projects,

Carried out routine and periodic bridge inspections and maintenance,

Supervised and managed the handling, placing and compaction of fresh concrete during construction works.

Education, Training and Certifications

Bachelor of Technology (Hons.) in Construction Engineering

National University of Science and Technology (NUST-ZW)

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification - 2023

Construction Professional in Built-Environment Projects (PMP-CP) Certification - 2024

Project Management Institute (PMI)

International Organizations Management Certificate

University of Geneva, 2024

Diploma in Procurement and Supply

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, 2024

Contract Management Certificate

Zimbabwe Open University (ZOU), 2024

UNDP Procurement Level 1 Certification

UNDP, May 2024

CSCMP Supply Chain Foundations: Procurement Professional Certificate

Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), 2024

Occupational Safety, Health & Environmental Management Course (OSHEMAC)

National Social Security Authority (NSSA), 2021

Higher National Diploma in Civil Engineering – 2013 to 2014

National Diploma in Civil Engineering – 2010 to 2012

National Certificate in Civil Engineering – 2009

Mutare Polytechnic, Mutare, Zimbabwe

Executive Certificate in Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation

Catholic University of Zimbabwe, Harare 2019

Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate – Jan 2023

Google Project Management Professional Certificate – August 2023

Google, 2023

Strategic Leadership: Impact, Change, and Decision-Making Specialisation

Dartmouth College, 2023

Construction Project Management Certificate

Columbia University, 2022

AutoCAD Certificate

Advance Design Colleges (Autodesk Affiliate), 2017

Certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS)

Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), Harare 2018

Memberships and Affiliations

Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers (ZIE) Manicaland Area Committee Secretary (August 2015 to December 2019)

Project Management Institute (PMI) Member,

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) Diploma Member.

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