Construction Engineer/Officer (NO-2), UNICEF B&H, 364 days (for BiH nationals only)

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 over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, support

Why working for UNICEF video

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.

The vision of the proposed country programme is that all children in Bosnia and Herzegovina will benefit from an equitable realization of their rights to health, education, protection, and participation, overcoming the existing bottlenecks and in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. The Theory of Change is that children will have more chances to survive, thrive and develop to their full potential if more children, from birth through adolescence, enjoy greater access to and use of strengthened service-delivery systems in health, nutrition, early childhood development, inclusive education, social protection, care and justice systems, and if parents and communities are enabled to fulfil children’s rights through positive social norms and practices.

How can you make a difference?

The Construction Engineer/Officer reports to the Operations Manager as per the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for providing overall technical support to construction/rehabilitation activities of the country office. The technical support on construction/rehabilitation projects includes planning, support to procurement, as well as monitoring of construction works on site. The incumbent collaborates closely with UNICEF Programme/ Operations in defining construction interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks

Supply Chain Service Delivery and Response

1. Preparation of construction annual workplan

• Help develop the annual work plan for the construction/rehabilitation activities; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Assist in prepare and collect information required for the annual work plan on regular activities, ongoing projects and others in the pipeline.

2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts

• Provide technical support in matter of construction/rehabilitation project management to Programme/Operations sections; provide information to Programme on construction/rehabilitation related activities to include them in their AWP.
• Provide assistance to Programme /Operations sections through involvement in construction/rehabilitation project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference.
• Attend technical cooperation meetings; prepare PPT presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring.
• Provide Programme/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

• Draft the scope of construction/rehabilitation 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/rehabilitation 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.
• Ensuring all rehabilitation project/programme related activities and documents are in alignment with donor requirements.
• Provide assistance 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.

4. Support to procurement process

• Assist Supply and Logistics Officer and Supply and Logistics Associate in preparation of LPA requests and CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.
• 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/rehabilitation 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/rehabilitation 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.
• Certify 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 BiH Supply and Logistics Officer and Supply and Logistics Associates 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.
• Prepare Contract Performance Evaluation; provide assistance to UNICEF Supply and Logistics Officer and Supply and Logistics Associates on contract close-out in VISION; draft the final completion report with the lessons learned.

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.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly-related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Previous experience in construction/rehabilitation project implementation with the UN organizations would be considered as an asset.
• Emergency experience an advantage.

Skills:

• 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.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

• 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)
• Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Remarks:

As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.

UNICEF’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children.

Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions before taking up an assignment with UNICEF. UNICEF reserves the right to withdraw an offer of appointment, without compensation, if a visa or medical clearance is not obtained, or necessary inoculation requirements are not met, within a reasonable period for any reason.

UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants’ bank account information.

All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.

For further details please contact Human Resources at UNICEF Office in Sarajevo, Ms. Aldijana Brezovac, abrezovac@unicef.org.