Construction Engineer

Volunteering

Contract

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The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias, or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic, and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education, and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations. To accelerate the progress towards universal basic education in Côte d’Ivoire and in line with the Education sector plan, UNICEF Côte d’Ivoire is supporting the Ministry of education to implement compulsory basic education policy. One of the pillars of that policy is the construction and rehabilitation of schools with the objective of creating a child friendly learning environment and maintaining children in school until they complete their basic education. To ensure compliance with norms and standards for school building design and construction including those related to gender and the education of children with disability, UNICEF Cote d'Ivoire seeks the support of qualified and motivated young engineers to achieve its objective. In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their contracts. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Under the technical supervision of the Construction Specialist P3, the incumbent will be responsible for the development of national standards and innovations in construction techniques (such as Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks CSEB/BTSC, Recycled plastic construction materials, Climate resilient designs, Circular economy approaches) to support achievement of the construction and rehabilitation of school’s facilities including latrines and water points, mobilize local communities, in compliance with project's goals and objectives. He/she will provide technical expertise in designing, assessing, implementing, and monitoring UNICEF's construction project as well as in development and in the Infrastructure Emergency Response. The incumbent of this new position will complement UNICEF's continued focus on supporting local communities to build their capacity to plan, implement and monitor all construction and strengthen UNICEF positioning, as the lead agency in these interventions, which is partly built/renovate on the construction expertise. More specifically, He/She will be in charge of the following tasks:

• Ensure the availability of accurate, complete, and up-to-date information required for effective education construction programme and project design, implementation, management, monitoring and evaluation, including gender disaggregation; provide support for sharing the information with relevant partners and draft sound construction programme budgets for review by the supervisor.

• Enhance education construction programme efficiency and effectiveness through implementation and monitoring activities with various implementing partners, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and education construction programme status. Ensure all technical inputs and cost estimates related to the education construction components are accurate.

• Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports including monitoring and reporting indicators by gender; draft changes in education construction programme work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment as well as in the drafting of Country Programme recommendations related to the education programme and other construction programme documentation, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and plans of action, and provide support for consultation with partners as required on planning and implementation of Country Programme activities.

• Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that education construction programme expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the programme information and database. Follow up on queries, including with and by partners, or initiate corrective action on discrepancies. Review and certification of interim payment certificates. Monitoring construction expenditures. Tracking of commitments and project budgets. Verification of supporting documents prior to payment processing.

• Compile data, information and evidence about construction programme implementation training and orientation of technical materials, including the Eco-friendly Construction concept and child friendly school approach, to promote knowledge sharing with donors and media.

• Ensure effective communication and networking is developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders.

• Collaborate with Operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management, as part of the usual tendering construction process, providing support for orientation and training of all implementing technical partners on related construction issues, the Eco-friendly Construction concept and UNICEF financial and supply policies and procedures.

• Liaise with the sections of Supply and Logistics, Education, WASH and CSD to ensure technical specifications and contractor's work meet the needs and requirements of beneficiaries, especially regarding child friendly designs. Ensure compliance of all infrastructure projects with UNICEF accessibility standards, Child-Friendly Design principles, environmental sustainability requirements, MOSS/MORSS requirements and relevant DFAM guidance.

• Coordinate with other partners of Ministry of education including responsible of construction projects supported by donors, in central and decentralized level, others UN Agency, and NGOs to ensure compatible and appropriate standards and costs are used in all the UNICEF buildings.

• Preparation of design and technical documents: Draft scope of works based on programme requirements, budgets and site constraints; Review designs, drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities; Follow up technical approvals and permits with relevant government entities.

• Support to procurement process: Preparation of tender documents; Participation in bidders' conferences; Technical evaluation of bid; Support to CRC submissions and procurement reviews.

• Updating market assessments and shortlists of contractors.

• Work closely with the UNICEF consultant engineers, as well as other partners, to ensure that the programme goals are achieved; Observe and report back to head of section activities under construction projects and to UNICEF management any concerns about the overall construction process.

• Assess the capacity of UNICEFs partners in this project, to identify their strengths and possible weaknesses.

• Assess the capacity of UNICEF's partners and develop recommendations to maximize their strengths; propose solutions to minimize the risks.

• Visiting each active construction site at least once every month should be timed to coincide with significant construction activities, such as pile driving completion, foundation excavation completion, steel fixing and formwork inspection, concrete pouring and formwork striking.

• Contract Management: Support contract amendments; Review and process variations; Assess extension of time requests; Support application of liquidated damages; Assist in contract close-out; Prepare contractor performance evaluations.

• Ensure detailed records are kept of all construction activities, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress

Core competencies: • Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1) • Works Collaboratively with others (1) • Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1) • Innovates and Embraces Change (1) • Thinks and Acts Strategically (1) • Drives to achieve impactful results (1) • Manages ambiguity and complexity (1) Functional Competencies: • Applying Technical Expertise (1) • Following Instructions and Procedures (1) • Analyzing (1) • Planning and Organizing (2) • Coping with set-back and pressure (I) Values: • Care • Respect • Integrity • Trust • Accountability • Sustainability

• At least three (3) years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required; experience with Education programmes is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization;
• Skills in monitoring and managing technical projects in the context of construction is required;
• Professional experience in developing countries, particularly the Côte d’Ivoire is required;
• Experience in construction including innovative materials such as plastic or earth proving an ability to adapt and master the challenges related to innovations is highly desired;
• Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity;
• Good knowledge of latest developments and technology in construction industry;
• Good understanding of construction project cycles, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, monitoring the execution of work and evaluation of project outcomes;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in UNICEF Construction, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. This position is based in Korhogo with frequent travel within the areas covered by Korhogo Sub National Office. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan. National UN Volunteers are expected to be culturally sensitive and adjust to the prevailing culture and traditions.

Conditions of Service for national UN Volunteers

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. The applicable Volunteer Living Allowance is provided monthly to cover housing, utilities and normal cost of living expenses. Life, health and permanent disability insurance are included (health insurance for up to 3 dependents - except for UN Community Volunteers), as well as final repatriation (if applicable). You can check full entitlements at https://app.unv.org/calculator .

Furthermore, in non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, a Well-Being Differential (WBD) will be provided monthly

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Added 1 day ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: unv.org