Supply & Construction Officer, NOA, Caracas, Venezuela

Contract

This is a NO-1 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-1 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, commitment

UNICEF Venezuela’s CO is currently in the need of the establishment of a Construction unit that will support the CO in the articulation of a construction and rehabilitation strategy that involves planning, generating SOPs, assurance of the implementation of construction and procurement procedures and guidelines, generate KPIs and a follow up and monitoring tools.

At the moment, more than 20% of the office contracts are related to construction and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals and other type of institutions.

The Construction Unit will be and addition to the Supply & Logistics team and will work in close coordination with programme.

How can you make a difference?

Summary of key functions/accountabilities

• Support in preparation of construction annual workplan

  • Support in the developing of the annual work plan for the construction activities; support in determining priorities/targets and performance measurements and support in monitoring work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
  • Prepare and collect information required for the annual work plan on regular activities, ongoing projects and others in the pipeline.

• Collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations in construction operations

  • Provide technical support in matter of construction project management to Programme/Operations sections; provide information to Programme on construction related activities to include them in their AWP.
  • Provide assistance to Programme /Operations sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference.
  • Attend technical cooperation meetings; prepare PPT 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 prepare reports on projects' progress.

• Preparation of construction tendering documents

  • Support in drafting the scope of construction works based on Programme/ Operations requirements, budget and site limitations; define deliverables and payment modality.
  • Apply UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; verify if compliance with green building standards is required in coordination with DFAM Field Support Unit.
  • Elaborate RFPs for construction projects and RFQs or ITBs for minor rehabilitations.
  • Elaborate RFPs for LTAs and prequalification of vendors.
  • Elaborate technical and commercial evaluation formats.

• LTA & Contract monitoring

  • Supervise all construction contracts and construction related LTAs.
  • Create dashboards for monitoring expiry dates and funds utilization.
  • Constantly review LTA strategy and close communication with vendor and programme to guarantee a close commercial relationship.

• Vendor sourcing and diversification strategy

  • Create a vendor sourcing strategy that guarantees having construction companies in each state.
  • Have a complete knowledge of the construction market and diversify the portfolio of construction projects.
  • Create a database of construction companies and service engineering companies in the country.

• Support in monitoring construction projects

  • 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; 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.
  • 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.

• Coordination of construction strategy with implementing partners

  • Coordinate the construction strategy with implementing partners in accordance to UNICEF Guidelines and procedures related to construction.

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

• An university degree is required in business administration, management, supply chain management, economics, civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, or other relevant area.
• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international levels, in procurement processes, project managing, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Emergency experience an advantage.
• Fluency in Spanish. Intermediate level of English is required, but complete fluency is preferred.

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF’s Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships (2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness (3) Drive to achieve results for impact (4) Innovates and embraces change (5) Manages ambiguity and complexity (6) Thinks and acts strategically (7) Works collaboratively with others.

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework 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. 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 is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children.

Remarks:

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

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 are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be cancelled.

All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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.

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.