Construction Engineer, NOB, TA, Gaza, SOP

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, Health

UNICEF in the State of Palestine works to uphold the rights of children to access services and protection, from early childhood through to adolescence. Our objective is to ensure that every child in the State of Palestine (Gaza, West Bank, including East Jerusalem), irrespective of background or circumstance, has an equal chance to fulfil their potential.

UNICEF Gaza is working closely with the relevant Ministries and engineering units making sure they are involved in the decision-making process and continuously engaged for the projects’ success and sustainability.

To learn more about working in Palestine please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/unicefpalestine/

How can you make a difference?

The Construction Engineer reports to the the Construction Specialist, and works in close consultation with the project managers, Education, Health & Nutrition and Supply team in Gaza. The incumbent is responsible for providing technical support on the implementation of the construction and rehabilitation activities included in the 2022 Annual Work Plan (AWP) under Education and Adolescent (E&A), and Health and Nutrition (H&N) programmes.

As an advocate for children, you will have the following duties/tasks:

1. Preparation of construction annual workplan

• Prepare and collect information required for the annual work plan of the H&N and L4D programmes on regular activities, ongoing projects, and others in the pipeline.

2. Collaboration with UNICEF H&N and L4D Programmes/Operations and coordination with Government counterparts

• Provide technical support in matter of construction project management to H&N and L4D Programmes/Operations sections; provide information to relevant Programmes on construction related activities to include them in their AWP.
• Provide assistance to H&N and L4D Programmes/Operations sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning, cost estimates and preparation of relevant terms of reference.
• Attend when requested technical cooperation meetings; prepare PPT presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring.
• Provide H&N and L4D Programmes/Operations sections with information on projects' progress; undertake appropriate actions to overcome technical obstacles prepare reports on projects' progress.

3. Preparation of design and technical documents

• Support in Drafting the scope of construction works based on Programme/ Operations requirements, budget and site limitations; define deliverables and payment modality.
• Apply UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; verify if compliance with green building standards is required in coordination with DFAM Field Support Unit.
• Support in checking technical documents related to construction (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities); verify whether they are clear, complete and compliant to programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; undertake the actions required to endorse these technical documents by relevant ministries.
• Follow up with the designing firms and government entities for obtaining all permits required for construction activities prior initiating works.
• The ‘Construction Officer’, may be required to support other activities, such as the feasibility studies and building’ assessment of new health and learning facilities, and preparation of construction budgets proposal.

4. Support to procurement process

• Assist H&N and E&A programme to follow up with the Supply section on the preparation of LPA requests and CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.
• In close collaboration with the Supply section, updated on regular basis the shortlist of potential construction companies and engineering firms available in the local market.
• Prepare tender documents in relation to construction works and engineering services; attend bidders' conference and present the technical components of the tender; draft answers on technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering.
• Support Supply section in organizing bidders' conference and site visits; participate in the evaluation of technical proposals received and draft technical recommendation; if needed, provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.

5. Monitoring of construction projects

• Participate in the kick-off meeting of construction works with the construction company, the engineering firm and relevant government counterparts.
• Provide close monitoring on construction activities by undertaking regular site visits and conducting regular technical meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services; follow up progress for each activity per milestones and review site supervision reports to ensure work compliance with norms, standards, and timeline; verify quality and precautions on health and safety standards on ground.
• Use effective monitoring and supervision tools to ensure easily assessment of works quality, progress, and performance of engineering firms and construction companies during the entire duration of the project.
• Review payments/variations and compile supporting documents; monitor construction expenditures and progress certificates; prepare and maintain relevant table for each construction activity.
• Provide assistance to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.; compile and archive project documents, minutes, correspondence, instructions, etc.
• Participate in the partial, substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the DLP; prepare and issue relevant certificates.
• Provide assistance to UNICEF Contract Administrator in Preparing Contract Performance Evaluation; on contract close-out in VISION; draft the final completion report with the lessons learned

For more details, please visit the attached here

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Education:

• A university degree is required in in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, or other relevant area.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience in similar projects’ monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Previous working experience with UN agencies, as well as past collaboration with the relevant Ministries in Gaza Strip, is an asset.
• Emergency experience an advantage.

Languages:

• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

Core competencies

• Builds and maintains partnerships (I)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (I)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (I)
• Innovates and embraces change (I)
• Thinks and acts strategically (I)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (I)
• Works collaboratively with others (I)

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (I)
• Applying technical expertise (I)
• Planning and Organizing (II)
• Coping with set-back and pressure (I)
• Following Instructions and Procedures (I)

Technical competencies must be demonstrated in the following areas:

• Good analytical skill and negotiating skills.
• Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of resources.
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff working on construction projects.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment and establish harmonious working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
• Fast learner, adapts and responds to change, tolerates ambiguity.
• Ability to contribute to formulation of strategies and policies.
• 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.
• Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction project.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Child Safeguarding remarks:

This position is not considered an elevated risk role. However, UNICEF reserves the right to conduct further vetting/assessment within the scope of child safeguarding as appropriate.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable male candidates will be prioritized.