Construction Specialist, P-3, 364 days (with possibility for an Extension), Yaoundé, Cameroon

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 111,302 USD and 145,741 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, learning!

UNICEF has been working in Cameroon since 1975 to allow women and children to fully realize their rights to development without restriction, as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. UNICEF provides financial and technical support to Cameroon across seven areas to fully realize the rights of women and children. These areas include Health, HIV/AIDS, Water-sanitation-Hygiene, nutrition, education, child protection, and social inclusion. UNICEF focuses mainly on children and the most vulnerable and excluded families. Cameroon’s 2020 population is estimated at 26,545,863 people according to UN data. The population is young and generates strong socioeconomic demand. In rural areas, limited access to basic social services and the effects of climate changes lead to household impoverishment and severe child deprivations. The task is immense but not insurmountable; it requires the energy of all stakeholders in Cameroon and out of Cameroon: also, women, men, youth and children, government, technical and financial partners, donors, civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians, communities. Everyone is invited to take part in the struggle to meet the challenges that lie ahead. Together, we will act for Cameroon, a country that summarizes the challenges and hopes of Africa. To learn more about UNICEF Cameroon: https://unicef.sharepoint.com/sites/CMR/SitePages/AboutUs.aspx

How can you make a difference?

PURPOSE OF POST

Provide top-quality leadership in the UNICEF construction unit to support the Government to increase the availability of child-friendly, safe, accessible, innovative, and green learning environments.

MAIN DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Education and the technical support of Chief WASH and Supply/Logistic Specialist based in Yaoundé, the incumbent will:

Manage the construction unit****, monitor and deliver results

• Provides budget analysis on the construction intervention of the AWP and reports every week to the Education Specialist in charge of Output 1 and the chief of section. Anticipates risks and challenges, and transparently seeks solutions.
• Prepares tenders for construction companies and quality control supervising entities (Engineering Consultancy Firms)
• Conducts the technical evaluation of tendering process and supports the Supply section for the financial evaluation according to of tendering process.
• Liaises and coordinate with Supply to ensure accurate monitoring of tendering process and submission of construction-related files to CRC and LPA request to CPH.
• Prepares and monitor contract formalities and payment calendar of the fees of construction companies, and quality assurance supervision entities.
• Conducts weekly remote meetings with field offices to monitor results, identify problems in advance, and solve bottlenecks.
• Conducts weekly meetings with contractors to monitor progress

• Conducts quarterly field visits to monitor that construction works are progressing and leading to results for children

  Innovate, Network, and build partnerships

• Identifies strategies for promoting localization in the construction to build local capacities and foster educational opportunities for adolescent boys and girls, including those with disabilities.

• Builds and sustains effective close working partnerships with relevant government counterparts, national construction companies, quality assurance supervision entities and reinforces cooperation to achieve a more sustainable approach for construction in Cameroon.

Build Capacities and create knowledge

• Applies/introduces innovative approaches and good practice (i.e. green) in construction to build the capacity of government counterparts, national construction companies, quality assurance supervision entities to improve the quality of the construction implementation programme.
• Contributes to the development and implementation of Technical Guides and Manuals to ensure optimum maintenance of the UNICEF constructed infrastructure.

• Contributes to donor reports, RAM, and visibility products.

  IMPACT OF RESULTS

The ability of the Construction Specialist to provide support to the Chief of Education, successfully plan, manage and oversee the effective and efficient management of construction activities for UNICEF Programme/Operations, and directly impact on programmatic 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’s image as a competent organization for delivering cost-effective and sustainable programme results for children.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

• Advanced degree in civil engineering, construction engineering/architecture, or 5 years relevant working experience
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience in the field of education infrastructures with either the UN and/or NGO. Experience in an emergency setting is strongly preferred.
• Resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to prioritize substantial amounts of work while under pressure.
• Good analytical, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Politically and culturally sensitive, aware of gender issues, with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy
• Fluency in French and English (spoken and written). Good written and spoken skills in the language of the humanitarian operation and knowledge of another UN language an assets.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

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

The UNICEF competencies required for this post can be viewed on 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:

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