External Vacancy Announcement: Project Officer (NOB), Kampala, Uganda

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 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, health

Background:

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.

UNICEF and WFP have agreed to carry out a project to construct a new UNICEF/WFP Shared Premises within the land that is owned by UNICEF at Mbuya, Kampala, Uganda and have agreed that UNICEF will be the lead agency in the project.

To provide technical expertise and ensure compliance with the design of the project, UNICEF/WFP wishes to recruit a competent and experienced Project Officer (Architect) with an Architectural/Engineering background, and familiar with large building infrastructure projects to work closely with the Project Manager and Project Management Team. The post essentially involves liaising with a Design Company and giving support in every respect to the Project Manager by providing local knowledge and expertise and ultimately help to control the Time, Cost and Quality of the project.

How can you make a difference?

The Project Officer (Architect) reports to the Project Manager as per the Country Office (CO) set-up and is responsible for providing technical support to construction of the UNICEF/WFP Office Premises on Mbuya. The technical support includes support to project and contract management, as well as monitoring of construction works on site. The incumbent collaborates closely with the different stakeholders and provides local knowledge and expertise to help meet the needs of the project.

Key function, accountabilities and related duties/tasks:

1. Collaboration with UNICEF/WFP project management team and coordination with Design and Construction Company;

• Provide technical support in matter of construction project management and coordination to project management team and stakeholders.
• Prepare PPT presentations on projects progress and communicate with project management team.
• Undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring.

2. Review design and technical documents;

• Provide assistance in checking technical documents related to construction (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities) and verify whether they are clear, accurate and complete.
• Verify compliance of design and technical documents with UNICEF/WFP needs, norms and standards (accessibility, greening, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) taking into consideration the local environment and available materials.
• Ensure that all shop-drawings are submitted on time for review, inputs and approval by the project management team prior to initiating relevant works in the site.
• Follow up with the designing firms and government entities for obtaining specific permits, if required, for construction activities during the execution of works.

3. Support to project management;

• Assist Project Manager in project management activities relevant to project progress; potential variations, undertake appropriate actions to overcome technical obstacles.
• Prepare reports on projects progress.
• Provide assistance to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.; Compile and archive project documents, minutes, correspondence, instructions, etc.

4. Monitoring of the construction project;

• Participate in the kick-off meeting of construction 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.
• 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 Contract Administrator 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 Architecture, Engineering or related field is required. Professional certification or Master’s degree in architecture or engineering would be an asset.

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.

Experience or qualifications in Project management would be advantageous.

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 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.

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 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:

UNICEF’s active commitment towards diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable 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 may also be 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.

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