Construction Manager (Education), P4, Kandahar, Afghanistan

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 90,970 USD and 117,287 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, Commitment!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbkJiMmvKqk

How can you make a difference?

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, 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.

In Afghanistan, progress and investment in education made over the last twenty years, resulted in a tenfold increase in the participation of girls and boys. These gains are now at risk to be fully reversed as schools throughout the country face major challenges to remain functional, due to lack of investments made in infrastructure and/or maintenance of existing schools to accompany this enormous expansion: 2019 data shows that nearly 49% of schools (around 15,000 public schools) lack adequate buildings, 62% do not have surrounding walls, 31% lack drinking water, and 33% suffer from lack of functional latrines1. In addition, the school system is not reaching all, and part of the country remains underserved. Since then, things have not improved. Schools have been abandoned and damaged, due to continued and intensified fighting, displacement and national disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Construction projects that were planned and to be executed directly through the de-facto authorities have been put on hold. At the same time, due to increased opportunities in terms of geographical access, underserved areas can now be better reached.

UNICEF recently engaged with a number of donors to provide support to public schools aimed ensuring schools are both safe and conducive places for children learn and is currently supporting rehabilitation and construction programs as small scale across the country. For expanded reach, UNICEF aims to develop and roll out a community-based program, involving Community Development Councils, local authorities and communities for rehabilitation and classroom construction (including WASH in schools), for more efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability, linked to the implementation of the national program for teacher training and support (not covered under this assignment).

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Design a coherent community-based construction program (including WASH in schools)

2. Manage to implementation of construction programs in the area of education

3. Preparation of design and technical documents

4. Support to procurement process

5. Monitoring of construction projects

1. Design a coherent community-based construction program (including WASH in schools)

• Develop a community-based implementation strategy for the rehabilitation and construction of classrooms (including WASH) through direct involvement of local communities, ensuring minimum quality and safety standards, determine criteria for site selection and establish roles and responsibilities for stakeholders involved, through:

  • Using existing data to make an initial assessment of the needs
  • Identification of different practices in the area of local/community-based construction
  • Engagement with zonal offices and stakeholders to specify specific approach to be used in specific areas

• Work with the WASH team to ensure alignment and/or complementarity to the approach taken towards WASH in schools’

• Work directly with other units of the education section to ensure coordination, coherency and complementary in terms of reach and quality interventions to create safe school environments that are conducive to learning (combining soft and hard components at individual school level)

2. Manage to implementation of construction programs in the area of education (community-based and others), in collaboration and coordination with Government counterparts, UNICEF construction unit and field staff and local communities

• Prepare the scope of construction works based on program requirements and site assessment; define deliverables and payment modality and identify suitable partners to the implementation of specific projects
• Provide technical backstopping and support in matter of implementation of the projects at zonal level
• Establish close collaboration with the construction unit to ensure synergy and support to quality assurance and oversight
• Attend steering and technical cooperation meetings with donors and other relevant stakeholders; prepare PPT presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up action and coordination related to project implementation and monitoring.
• Keep the chief of education informed of projects' progress and obstacles; draft relevant sections of project reports required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.

3. Preparation of design and technical documents

• Prepare the scope of construction works based on program requirements and site assessment; define deliverables and payment modality.
• Ensure the application of UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, greening, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials.
• Ensure technical documents (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities) are clear, complete and compliant to programmatic requirements; ensure endorsement of these technical documents by relevant ministries.
• Ensure all permits required for construction activities are obtained prior initiating works.

4. Lead the procurement process

• Liaise and coordinate with Supply section to prepare LPA requests and CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.
• Conduct surveys to identify potential construction companies and engineering firms available in the local market; establish local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering services (design and site supervision).
• Prepare the terms of reference and other tender documents for selecting construction companies and supervising firms; attend bidders' conference and present the technical components of the tender; answer technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering.
• Conduct the evaluation of technical proposals received and draft the evaluation report; provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.
• Organize the start of construction works in coordination with the construction company and the engineering firm/implementation partner and/or local communities

5. Ensure quality control, oversight and monitoring of the implementation of individual construction projects in the education sector

• Organize the start of construction works in coordination with the construction company and the engineering firm.
• Ensure overall follow-up to construction activities by undertaking regular site visits, conducting regular technical meetings, monitoring progress and ensuring work compliance with norms, standards, and timeline.
• Ensure effective monitoring and supervision tools are developed and implemented, to enable monitoring and analysis of contract performance easily undertaken and ensure that contractors and engineering consultancy companies are working in compliance with contractual terms and conditions.
• Certify payments and variations; monitor construction expenditures and submit financial status reports on construction activities.
• Provide support to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.
• Organize and participate in the partial, substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects.
• Ensure contract close-out in VISION along with completed Contract Performance Evaluation; Prepare and submit the final completion report and lessons learned to the Construction Unit (SD).

Impact of Results

The ability of the Construction Manager to successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient management of UNICEF’s construction programs in the education sector with a focus on the roll-out of the community-based school rehabilitation and construction Programme, and directly impact on program goals and results for children. This in turn contributes to 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 program results for children. Considering the lack of engagement and ongoing support in this area, the immediate success of this program is crucial for future support and improved capacity of the education sector to sustain and improve its results in terms of creating safe school environments, conducive to learn.

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 minimum of eight years of relevant professional experience particularly in the area of community-based classroom construction and rehabilitation, at the national and/or international levels, in 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.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language is an asset.

Skills

▪ Ability to resolve difficult, complex and sensitive situations often under pressure;

▪ Ability to initiate and manage change in a diverse environment;

▪ Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas and concepts in written and oral form;

▪ Ability to manage and monitor the effective use of financial and human resources;

▪ Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff;

▪ The ability to allocate appropriate time and resources for successful achievement of goals, and foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning;

▪ Ability to implement clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identify priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required;

▪ Ability to work strategically to realize organizational goals, develop strategies, set clear visions;

▪ Advanced communication and negotiation skills to establish and maintain trusted partnerships for achievement of objectives and to develop close and effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders;

▪ Skill in the identification of new opportunities or requirements to meet challenges in the field and propose changes;

▪ Strong knowledge of latest developments and technology in construction industry – with a particular focus on community-based classroom construction and rehabilitation

▪ Strong understanding of construction project cycles, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, monitoring the execution of work and evaluation of project outcomes;

▪ Strong overall knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programming as well as of donors such as the EU/WB/ADB in terms of public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction projects (including environmental and social safeguards).

▪ Experience working in the education sector and understanding

For every Child, you demonstrate…

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

UNICEF competencies required for this post are...

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness(3)Drive to achieve results for impact(4)Innovates and embraces change(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity(6)Thinks and acts strategically(7)Works collaboratively with others.

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 benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.

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 promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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.

Remarks:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable female candidates are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

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