Physical Infrastructure Design Unit - UNOPS

Physical Infrastructure
Design Unit
Operational excellence for results that matter
UNOPS Physical Infrastructure Design Unit (PIDU) provides
professional, cost-effective and timely design and project
documentation services to the United Nations and its partners
worldwide.
Launched four years ago the unit offers its services on a cost
recovery basis and has seen steadily increasing demand. It is
now a separate unit within UNOPS with a Governance Board
that meets monthly to provide oversight and coordination.
Where we work
Through the UNOPS network of regional offices and
operations and project centres, the unit has positioned itself
as a global provider of infrastructure design services. From
Sudan to Afghanistan to Sri Lanka, the impressive portfolio
of completed projects showcases PIDU’s capacity to produce
effective designs for, among others, schools, hospitals,
bridges, water supply, sanitation, and harbour facilities.
The newly constructed Ghazi boy’s school in Kabul designed
by PIDU
infrastructure design is in line with the context in which
the project is being implemented as well as any specific
requirements. It also supports the retention and transfer of
knowledge.
A three-tiered approach to standards ensures that all
components of infrastructure design meet appropriate
essential, adopted or approved standards, with the approach
being well-documented.
Locations of various projects where PIDU has provided
effective design and technical support
The team
PIDU has a multi-disciplinary team of over 35 highly-skilled
personnel with global experience including architects; civil,
mechanical, electrical and structural engineers; drafters,
quantity surveyors and other specialists. The team ensures
that results are delivered in some of the most challenging
How we work
PIDU works in close collaboration with its partners – right from
understanding their needs to providing finished designs. Part
of the standard PIDU process includes detailed estimates,
progress reports and monthly invoices compared against
original estimates for greater transparency. This allows for
greater tracking and efficiency. Finished products include prefeasibility
studies, environment impact assessments,
concept designs, preliminary and detailed designs,
presentation materials and models, bills of quantities, contract
documents and specifications. Design-related support in the
tender and construction process can also be provided.
The unit’s sound, methodical process ensures that
Designs for the Karapitiya emergency trauma centre in Galle
district, Sri Lanka
UNOPS PIDU
118/5 Nawala Road
Colombo 5
Sri Lanka
Tel: +94 (0) 112 506 096
Fax: +94 (0) 112 506 097
design@unops.org
www.unops.org/PIDU

Operational excellence for results that matter
“We worked with UNOPS to create a master design
for prisons that could be implemented countrywide
and handed over to the Afghan government,
compliant with all rules and standards. In this close
collaboration we shared challenges, analyzed
problems and identified suitable solutions by
considering risks and possible impacts within the
Afghan context. It has been a remarkable experience
that could be replicated in other contexts in the
future.”
environments worldwide, including post-conflict and postdisaster
settings, and in tropical, sub-tropical, arid and
temperate climates.
To improve the speed, quality and sustainability of
infrastructure services that UNOPS delivers globally, joint
consulting and implementation partnerships have been
established with firms such as Arup, the global consultancy,
planning, design and engineering firm, and with professional
and educational institutions.
– Carla Ciavarella, Senior Criminal Justice Expert,
UNODC
“The Physical Infrastructure Design Unit has carried
out topographic survey and sewage water network
analysis in Bujumbura’s urban commune of Buyenzi,
in Burundi. The unit works in a professional manner.
The satisfaction of the clients is total, the feedback is
positive.”
– Céléus Ngowenubusa, National Project Manager,
UNDP-GEF Project on Lake Tanganyika
“PIDU was engaged to undertake the technical
review of the design documents for the construction
of a 100-bed, three-storied Tuberculosis Prison
Hospital in Vahadat District. All documents relating to
this special construction (bills of quantities, drawings
etc) were to international standards. UNDP has now
invited PIDU to review the tender evaluation report.
The team provided services in a highly professional
manner within the timeframe. We are fully satisfied by
the assistance provided.”
– Nurillo Nosirov, Procurement Associate, UNDP
Tajikistan
Transitional shelters constructed with technical advice from
PIDU to house Haitians affected by the earthquake
UNOPS infrastructure design services include:
• Pre-project design advice
• Feasibility studies
• Proposal and concept design
• Detailed design documents
• Project schedules and specifications
• Quantity surveying and bills of quantities
• Contract documents to the International Federation of
Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) standards
“One added advantage is that UNOPS and other
UN projects can engage the Physical Infrastructure
Design Unit without a complicated procurement
process. Pick up the phone, send an email. PIDU will
lead you through a simple standard procedure. It’s as
easy as that. ”
– Braye Sutherland, Global Practice Leader,
Infrastructure, UNOPS
UNOPS HQ
P.O Box 2695
2100 Copenhagen
Denmark
Tel: +45 3546 7000
Fax: +45 3546 7501
info@unops.org
www.unops.org