Construction Manager, P4, Fixed Term Appointment, Beirut, Lebanon, PN

Overview

Manage construction activities for UNICEF projects in Lebanon

You have:

• An advanced university degree is required in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area, or a first-level university degree with a valid professional certification.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience in project management, site supervision, quality assurance or other technical fields is required.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

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 138,547 USD and 178,628 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, Hope..

UNICEF started to work in Lebanon in 1948 and established its office in 1950. For more than 70 years we’ve been working closely with the Government of Lebanon, other UN agencies, international and local NGOs, universities, and more than 100 partners to meet the needs of disadvantaged children in Lebanon. Responding to lifesaving needs and ensuring equal access to quality public services, the impact of our work is felt in every aspect and every sphere of society. To learn more about our work, please refer to: https://www.unicef.org/lebanon/what-we-do

How can you make a difference?

The Construction Manager reports to the Supply and Logistics Manager as per the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for managing the construction activities of a large-sized country office. The management of construction 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, and provides technical and advisory support to Government and partners on construction project management.

Key Expected Results:

Management of construction unit

• Develop the annual work plan for the Construction unit; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the Construction unit human and financial resources; ensure appropriate staffing deployment and timely recruitment according to project’s needs.
• Supervise and coach unit staff; conduct weekly unit meetings; ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities. In collaboration with the Construction Unit in Supply Division, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team

Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts

• Provide technical backstopping and support in matter of construction project management to Programme sections.

• Establish close collaboration with Programme sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference.

• In collaboration with the Government counterparts, develop and produce innovative cost-effective construction designs using local construction materials; compile and update list of best practices in construction and building design.
• Attend steering and technical cooperation meetings; prepare PPT presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up action and coordination related to project implementation and monitoring.
• Keep Programme sections informed of projects' progress and obstacles; draft relevant sections of project reports required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.

Preparation of design and technical documents

• Prepare the scope of construction works based on program requirements and site assessment; define deliverables and payment modality.
• Advocate and support 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.

Support to 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.

Monitoring of construction projects

• 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).

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

• An advanced university degree is required in in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.

  A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in project management, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or local language of the duty station is considered as an asset.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

For every Child, the incumbent demonstrates UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

Core competencies

• Nurtures, leads and manages people (II)
• Builds and maintains partnerships (III)
• Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (III)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (III)
• Innovates and embraces change (III)
• Thinks and acts strategically (III)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (III)
• Works collaboratively with others (III)

Functional Competencies

• Leading and supervising (II)
• Formulating strategies and concepts (II)
• Analyzing (II)
• Applying technical expertise (II)
• Planning and Organizing (II)
• Relating and networking (II)
• Coping with set-back and pressure (II)

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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

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.

Potential interview questions