National Engineers (4 consultants) in establishment of Innovation labs under Centers for Additional Education, 8 months, Dushanbe, Tajikistan (for Tajik nationals only)

Consultant Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide technical expertise for establishing Innovation Labs in Tajikistan.

You have:

• University degree in Engineering, Civil Engineering or Architecture.
• At least 5-8 years’ experience in public works construction, preferably with international organizations.
• Previous experience in construction supervision and site management.
• Computer skills in Microsoft package, AutoCAD, or similar software is required.
• Fluency in Tajik and Russian (verbal and written).

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, **Skills and Innovation****

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

Up to date Tajikistan Country Office has successfully piloted skills building programmes at the Adolescent Innovation Labs starting from 2018 (AILs) within the Centers of Additional Education (CAE) under the Ministry of Education, following which the Ministry and Committee on Youth Affairs of Tajikistan requested expansion of this contextualized model with a view of sustainability to other regions of the country.

The CO is also moving towards integrated adolescents programming, within which a cross-sectoral programming has been launched for achieving results for adolescents. One of the intermediate results of integrated adolescent programming has been the development of Adolescent Competency Framework by Second Decade and Learning teams that provides a framework for developing skills, competencies and innovation among adolescent girls and boys through multiple platforms of formal, non-formal and outdoor education. To implement the Adolescent Competency Framework content (curriculums) are required for skills and competency building. The team in Tajikistan builds on UNICEF best practices for this purpose that includes, UPSHIFT and Adolescent Kit for Expression and Innovation. The abovementioned practices are being delivered in the Innovation Labs that are established in partnership with MOES within Centers for additional education.

After a certain period of implementation, the Innovation Labs have been proved to be one of the successful programming approaches in engagement and capacitating the adolescents with necessary XXI century skills that unleash potential and facilitate smooth transition to working. Each lab can cover more than 400 adolescents annually. These results are contributing to the achieving the targets within NDES and MTEP for SDG 4, 5, 9 and 17, which are in-line with Results framework under UNICEF/EU partnership under Improving skills and competencies of adolescent girls and boys for school to work transition in Tajikistan and national support to continuity of learning within the framework of the National Education Preparedness and Response Plan for COVIDcovid-19 project. The Log-frame includes establishment of innovative platforms-Innovation Labs in targeted districts. Currently, there are 44 Labs established in 22 locations.

By end of December 2023, it is expected to establish 26 more AILs in the districts indicated and ensure their functionality for full implementation of skills development projects.

How can you make a difference?

In line with the UNICEF global supplies requirements / guidelines, the UNICEF renovation/rehabilitation work requires the expertise of the engineer with a good experience to conduct an assessment of all class-rooms assigned for establishment of Innovation Labs within Centers for Additional Education which includes: revision of existing specifications, assessment of venue, preparation of bill of quantities/estimation of works and construction materials, monitoring and supervision of construction works, certification of completed works to contractors, quality assurance and certification of acceptance of works after a certain period indicated in the contracts etc.

Presently, the Skills and Innovation pillar under ADAP programme has a tight timeframe with an obligation to complete the establishment of 26 AILs in different districts and thus requires technical expertise in the capacity of 4 engineers to provide the required technical support in 4 regions of the country, in the districts indicated in the Annex 1.

Under the overall oversight of the ADAP Officer, in close collaboration with UNICEF WASH Engineer, the engineers in each region will carry out:

Conducting technical assessment of the targeted sites/facilities. Preparation and seeking approvals of designs from key authorities, updating existing specifications, BoQs development, monitoring construction sites for quality assurance and verification/certification of completed construction works.

• Carrying out Author Supervision and work in close collaboration and coordination with Construction Department of the MoES who will be responsible for Technical Supervision;
• Prepare approved by ADAP section signed and stamped hard copies and soft version of the technical design and BoQ of the works to be carried out in the 26 AILs;
• Establishing appropriate mechanisms to facilitate proper monitoring and quality assurance (supervision) to ensure the rehabilitation works are implemented according to standards before/during/after and participate in field site monitoring of construction activities.

DUTY STATION/DURATION:

Duration: 130 working days between July 2023 - February 2024 totally for all the regions and districts

Duty station: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

Supervisor: Adolescent Development Officer

Work Assignment:

1. Carry out the technical assessment of each room allocated for Innovation Labs in Darvoz, Vanj, Shugnon Districts (GBAO region), in Ayni, Zafarobod, Istiklol districts (Soughd region), in Farkhor, Vose,Hamadoni, Khovaling, Shahritus, Kubodiyon, Levakant, Jayhun, Dusti, Temurmalik, Khuroson, Balkhi, Norak, Panj, Norak districts( Khatlon), in Shahrinav, Varzob, Rasht, Roghun, Nurobod districts(RRS); The assessment to be done by regions.
2. Preparation of Bill of Quantity (BOQ) for each room allocated and design specification for Innovation Labs and other required tendering document to ensure that plan is consistent with overall target date, quality, and budget. Review construction documents and bill of quantities to ensure quality control and structural integrity of the designs;
3. Establish a reporting mechanism on weekly and monthly basis that will be used by the site engineers of the contracted construction firm for reporting to UNICEF;
4. Undertake visits: During technical assessment and preparation of BoQ; Monitoring visits at least two times; Handover; After DLP to the project sites at least two times to (i) monitor renovation works and its quality, (ii) and provide feedback and have periodic reviews with UNICEF Second Decade Section, and (iii) support final handover of the works to local stakeholders - CAEs;
5. Facilitate the mechanism of handover to CAEs through engagement of all relevant parties involved in the project: MoES, CAE, and UNICEF;
6. Author Supervision of renovation works after three months (DLP) of completion of works in each AIL/District;

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

• Education: University degree in Engineering, Civil Engineering or Architecture;
• Working experience: At least 5-8 years’ experience in public works construction, preferably with international organizations;
• Expertise: Previous experience in construction supervision and site management. Experience with UN and/or UNICEF is an asset;
• Skills: Computer skills in Microsoft package, AutoCAD, or similar software is required. Teamwork is required;
• Languages: Fluency in Tajik and Russian (verbal and written).

Qualified candidates are requested to submit:

1. Cover letter/application/CV.

2. A technical proposal for districts per region with proposed approach to managing the consultancy deliverables, showing understanding of tasks. Special attention should be paid to organizing the process of co-development and capacity building.

3. Financial quote for the consultancy in Tajik Somoni per deliverable, and by regions: Dushanbe and DRS; Khatlon: Soughd; GBAO; stating also the timeframe for completion of deliverable in Tajik Somoni. All inclusive(lump sum) fees for the services to be provided, including all associated administrative and travel costs: it is expected that engineers will travel to 26 districts twice during the consultancy;

5. Examples of previous, relevant work related to the deliverables

6. Applications without a financial proposal will not be considered.

Applications must be received in the system by 27 June 2023 on UNICEF website.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unicef.org