National consultant to provide technical support, project management, technical monitoring and coordination for the construction of four preschools supported by UNICEF

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy 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, Education

Find out how UNICEF programmes drives change for children in Timor-Leste by visiting https://www.unicef.org/timorleste.

How can you make a difference?

Under supervision of the Chief Education, provide technical support, project management, technical monitoring and coordination for the construction of four preschools supported by UNICEF in three different municipalities. The main task of the post is to monitor, provide oversight and coordinate all stakeholders to ensure quality of the constructions based on the standard designs with bill of quantities (BoQs) and working closely with the construction company until the conclusion of the construction. The construction will be undertaken by a company that is selected through an open bidding process.

WORK ASSIGNMENT:

1. Site Assessment (4 days in October):

• Accompany the contractors during site assessment and provide evaluation of site characteristics and preparation of detailed analysis with recommendations for design and implementation.
• Verify structural integrity and functionality of construction, quality of finishes, and accuracy of the as-built design drawings.

2. Preparation of technical documents and support to procurement process (10 days in November):

• Prepare an overview the scope of construction works based on the programme and normative requirements, budget and site limitations (1 day)
• Ensure that UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, etc.) are applied in the tender and contract documents, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; verify if compliance with green building standards is required in coordination with other related departments.
• Assist UNICEF in the evaluation and pre-qualification of contractors. (2 days)
• Review all technical documents related to the construction (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities); verify whether they are clear, complete and compliant to programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficient and meets general accessibility requirements; undertake the actions required to endorse these technical documents by relevant ministries as necessary (5 days)
• Follow up with the contractor and all relevant government entities for obtaining all permits required for construction activities prior initiating works. (2 days)

3. Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts (24 days from November 2023 to September 2024):

• Provide technical support in the construction project management to Programme/Operations sections; provide information to Programme on construction-related activities.
• Organize and facilitate technical cooperation meetings; prepare presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring.
• Provide Programme/Operations sections with information on projects' progress; undertake appropriate actions to overcome technical obstacles.

4. Monitoring of construction projects (5 days/month - from November 2023 to September 2024):

• Undertake regular and close monitoring of the 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.
• Develop and use effective monitoring and supervision tools to easily ensure 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.
• 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.
• 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.

5. Quality Assurance of the Project (2 days/month - from November 2023 to September 2024):

• Provide support to the Government in their technical oversight of ongoing construction activities to ensure compliance with specifications and signed contract and provide advice to UNICEF on any potential risks related to timeline, budget and quality of works.
• Support the Government in quality assurance and quality control plans and related procedures; provide assistance in review and approval of contractor’s construction schedule, detailed designs, inspect material sources and materials’ tests.
• Document project records that provide the necessary evidentiary and analyses in case of claims and disputes.
• Collaborate with Government to ensure that works are executed in accordance with quality standards and signed contract;
• Liaise and co-ordinate with local authorities, if required; issue the Certificates of Partial, Substantial and Final Completion of works and final narrative report.

6. Final Consultancy report (3 days in September 2024):

Prepare a final report of the consultancy with key lessons documented

DELIVERABLES:

1. Detailed report approved by UNICEF with its analysis and recommendations

2.1. Review report of technical documents to support the tender

2.2. Report of evaluation of technical proposals documents by contracts and

2.3. Evaluation report approved by UNICEF includes scores and remarks on each technical sub-criterion.

3. Progress reports approved by UNICEF including on projects' progress shared every month

4. Progress reports approved by UNICEF based on the site visit monitoring shared every month

5. Reports approved by UNICEF based on site visits

6. Final report of consultancy submitted

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

• University Diploma in Civil Engineering, architecture or a related technical field with at least 3 years of experience in civil engineering related work
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in construction project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly-related technical fields is required
• Specific experience in constructing preschools is an advantage
• Good analytical skill and negotiating skills
• Ability to supervise and direct a team of professional and support staff working on construction projects
• Good understanding of construction project cycles, from programme needs assessment, through planning, procurement and contracting, monitoring the execution of work and evaluation of project outcomes
• Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction project
• Must have relevant IT skills or proficient user of Auto Cad 2009 or the latest version, including internet navigation, and various office applications
• Good communication skills
• Willing to travel to Municipalities
• Fluency in Tetum. Ability to speak and write in English an advantage

Please find attached full ToR and related information under TOR - Construction Engineer

For every Child, you demonstrate UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).

To view our competency framework, please visit 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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.

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.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.