Construction Engineer, P-3, Kabul, Afghanistan

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 110,481 USD and 144,666 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

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, Clean Water

Afghanistan is one of the most poorly served countries in the world in terms of WASH services, with more than one-third of people without access to improved drinking water. Nearly 60 per cent of the same population lacks access to improved latrines. Studies also show contamination of water services both at source and household level is significantly high in both urban and rural areas. Safe hygiene practices, such as hand washing, are very low across the country, especially in rural areas. According to UNICEF’s Water Security for All report, 93% of children in Afghanistan (15.6 million children) live in areas of high, or extremely high, water vulnerability. Groundwater overextraction for agriculture and cash crops like poppies is exacerbating water scarcity. Even before taking into consideration the escalating security situation, and rapid collapse of the government during August, the 2021 HRP estimated that a total of about 8.8 million people would need safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities and services. Meanwhile the drought has compelled people to temporarily move their families from their places of origin to other nearby communities in order to seek access to water. Furthermore, the recent escalation in conflict with the resulting upheaval and seizing of power by the de facto authority has further exacerbated the high needs for critical WASH services in urban centers, where a significant number of people moved to in order to seek safe haven and escape possible clashes. This has placed increased pressure on existing WASH services and on the host communities as they accommodate new arrivals. There are early signs of a ‘brain drain’ occurring in the country, amongst trained WASH experts and officials following the takeover of power and this is already impacting the maintenance of existing WASH systems and services which collapse soon as a result leaving millions in cities, towns and rural communities without water and sanitation services.

The impact of these multifaceted issues is illustrated by the current outbreak of AWD/Cholera, which began on the 12th of September, less than one month after the regime change. These early warnings that existing WASH systems and utilities may soon collapse particularly in urban areas serving large, overcrowded populations, requires urgent action to stabilize the sector and ensure continuity of safe WASH services. Meanwhile hard to reach areas, which have already been underserved for many years, are now accessible and as a result of drought, returnees and malnutrition there is a significant potential that AWD/Cholera and other communicable disease outbreaks will occur. At the same time, it is critical that existing health facilities and schools do not become point sources of infection for communicable diseases given the high vulnerability of the population at this time and improving their WASH infrastructure and providing IPC training and materials are critical to mitigate communicable disease outbreaks.

The Construction Engineer is necessary in Afghanistan Country Office (ACO) because the WASH Programme is a major component of the Country Programme and needs to significantly scale up WASH infrastructure activities, particularly through the private sector. The Construction Engineer reports to the WASH Contracts Manager in Supply Division, but also has a dotted line to the WASH section, particularly the WASH Specialist (P3) responsible for Operations as well as WASH managers for Sanitation/Institutions, Water Supply and Emergency.

How can you make a difference?

The Construction Engineer under direction and guidance of the WASH Contracts Manager in the Supply Division and the WASH Section will be responsible for contracting of the private sector, planning and managing contracts for the construction of WASH facilities in communities, health care facilities, schools and other institutions. The incumbent will also lead, formulate, and engage in dialogue with the key stakeholders concerning WASH construction and supervision and work closely with different sections in UNICEF including field offices, and the Supply Division in UNICEF HQ. The Construction Engineer provides technical guidance and management support throughout the programming processes, to facilitate the administration and achievement of the WASH-related output results in the country programme.

1. Preparation of construction annual workplan

• Develop the annual work plan in coordination with the WASH section; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that WASH results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the WASH construction related financial resources. Support the WASH section to determine resource requirements for supply plans.
• In collaboration with the Construction Unit in Supply Division and DFAM Field Support Unit, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team

2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations and coordination with sector counterparts

• Coordinate provision of technical backstopping and support to WASH Programme/ Operations sections and sector counterparts in matter of WASH construction project management; provide solutions to relevant issues; provide guidance to Programme sections in developing child-friendly and gender sensitive community infrastructure development program proposals; ensure construction activities are incorporated in relevant Programme AWP.
• Coordinate with WASH Programme/Operations sections through involvement of Construction team in construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference; analyze the project context and suggest the appropriate implementation and procurement modality.
• In collaboration with the sector counterparts, lead the process to develop and produce innovative cost-effective WASH construction designs using local construction materials, based on best practices in construction and building design.
• Attend steering meetings and lead technical cooperation meetings; review PPT presentations on projects' progress; coordinate follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure WASH section is informed of projects' progress; suggest appropriate actions to overcome technical obstacles; review relevant sections of project reports required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.

3. Preparation of design and technical documents

• Ensure scope of WASH construction works are clearly envisaged to the requirements of WASH section, budget and site limitations.
• Advocate and ensure the application of UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to WASH construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; ensure compliance with green building standards, if required, in coordination with DFAM Field Support Unit.
• Ensure technical documents related to WASH construction (design, drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities) are clear and adhere to UN/UNICEF and national standards, complete and compliant to programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; ensure endorsement of these technical documents by relevant authorities.
• Ensure all permits required for construction activities are obtained prior initiating works.

4. Support to procurement process

• Ensure Local Procurement Agreement (LPA) requests and Contract Review Committee (CRC) submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities are complete and clear for reviewing.
• Set strategy to explore the local market and the availability of potential construction companies and engineering firms; advocate for establishing local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering services (design and site supervision) and review relevant terms of reference.
• Ensure tender documents in relation to construction works and engineering services are complete and coherent; ensure clarity of technical information prepared for the bidders' conference; validate answers on technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering.
• Support the organisation of bidders' conference and site visits; organize and lead the evaluation of technical proposals received and review the evaluation report; provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.
• Review submitted tenders to verify bidders construction credentials and capacity, scope of works, BoQs etc. and make recommendations for vendor selection.

5. Monitoring of construction projects

• Participate in the kick-off meeting of construction works with WASH section in coordination with the construction company, the engineering firm and relevant government counterparts.
• Ensure overall follow-up to construction activities by coordinating regular site visits and regular technical meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services; review monitoring and site supervision reports, minutes of technical meetings to ensure work compliance with norms, standards, and timeline, provide solutions on obstacles related to technical matters/project management; ensure minimum quality and precautions on health and safety standards are met on construction site.
• Ensure availability of effective monitoring and supervision tools, to enable the in-house engineers and Third Party Monitoring (TPM) partners to easily assess the quality of works, progress, and performance of construction companies during the entire duration of the project; ensure multi-layered approach to construction supervision and quality assurance is applied; ensure documented hold and inspection points are used where applicable, and take lead to release hold points.
• Coordinate certification of payments/ variations after verification; monitor overall construction expenditures and progress certificates; prepare and submit financial status reports on construction activities.
• Coordinate contract management for construction activities under Supply section in relation to amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc. Ensure all documents/ information required for contract management are available, complete and properly archived.
• Organize and coordinate substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the Defect Liability Period (DLP); ensure reception of works is certified through the issuance of relevant certificates.
• Ensure contract close-out in VISION along with completed Contract Performance Evaluation; review the final completion report with the lessons learned and submit to the Construction Unit (SD) and AMS/NYHQ as necessary.

6. Expected Deliverables

• Coordinate and prioritize construction related activities, set strategies, manage and oversee the effective and efficient management of WASH construction activities for WASH section, and directly impact on programmatic goals and results for children.
• Maintaining/enhancing the credibility of UNICEF as an effective and responsible manager of funds entrusted to the organization and to furthering UNICEF image as a competent organization for delivering cost effective and sustainable programme results for children.
• Periodic reporting on the progress made against the WASH plan including holding internal review meetings and external discussions with different stakeholders and partners.
• Provide regular update on construction progress, quality parameters and efforts around sustainability.

Impact Of Results

The support provided by the WASH Construction Engineer will help to enable the country office to achieve the WASH-related output results of the country programme. This, in turn, will contribute to the achievement of the outcome results of the country programme document. When done effectively, the achievement of the outcome results will improve child survival, growth and development and reduce inequalities in the country.

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

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area, *A first University Degree in relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.
• Additional relevant post-graduate courses that complement/supplement the main degree is a strong asset.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in construction procurement, project management, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of FIDIC and its conditions of contract.
• Infrastructure contract management and administration including latest developments.
• Overseas experience working with country counterparts, institutions, private sector and contractors in the areas of contract management and administration is highly desirable.
• 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 values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA).

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.

Remarks:

* Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

* Kindly note that this is a non-family duty station.

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

* Employment is conditional upon receipt of medical clearance, any clearance required, the grant of a visa, and completion of any other pre-employment criteria that UNICEF may establish. Candidates may not be further considered or offer of employment may be withdrawn if these conditions are unlikely to be met before the date for commencement of service.

* The successful candidate for this emergency recruitment MUST be available to commence work within 31 days of receiving an offer.