Internal/External Vacancy Announcement Temporary Appointment – Construction Engineer, P3 Unicef Bangui CAR#109752

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.

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 nation.

How can you make a difference?

Purpose for the job

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Supply and Logistics Manager and will be responsible to develop national standards and innovations in construction techniques, to support achievement of the construction and rehabilitation of school’s facilities, Health centers, latrines and water points, mobilize local communities, in compliance with project’s goals and objectives.

He /she will provide technical expertise in planning, designing, assessing, contracting, implementing and monitoring UNICEF’s construction project as well as in development and in the Infrastructure Emergency Response. The incumbent of this position will complement UNICEF’s continued focus on supporting local communities to build their capacity to plan, implement and monitor all construction.

Key functions and accountabilities:

1. Ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information required for effective construction projects for all Unicef CAR Programme planning, design, implementation, contracting, management, monitoring and evaluation, including gender dis-aggregation; provide support for sharing the information with relevant partners and draft sound construction Programme budgets for review by the supervisor.
2. Enhance construction projects efficiency and effectiveness through implementation and monitoring activities with various implementing partners, including monitoring UNICEF inputs, local conditions and resources, flow of supply and non-supply assistance and education construction programme status. Ensure all technical inputs and cost estimates related to the Education, WASH, Health and Country Office construction components are accurate.
3. Analyze collected data and information and prepare progress reports including monitoring and reporting indicators by gender; draft changes in country office construction project work plans and assist in identification of required supplies and equipment as well as in the drafting of Country Programme recommendations related to education programme and other construction programme documentation, assuring accuracy and consistency with established rules, regulations and action plans, and provide support for consultation with partners as required on planning and implementation of Country Programme activities.
4. Ensure the appropriateness of financial, administrative and supply documentation; verify that the county office construction projects expenditures are within allotments and that data is consistent with the programme information and database. Follow up on queries, including with and by partners, or initiate corrective action on discrepancies.
5. Compile data, information and evidence about construction projects implementation training and orientation of technical materials, including the Eco-friendly, accessibility to disables persons, concept and child friendly school approach, to promote knowledge sharing with donors and media.
6. Ensure the effective communication and networking developed and maintained through partnership and collaboration with all stakeholders.
7. Ensure outreach to Programme and Field Offices to resolve issues, address bottlenecks and regular field visits to zonal offices.
8. Collaborate with Operations staff to implement internal controls systems and resolve day-to-day issues or discrepancies in financial or supply management, as part of the usual tendering construction process, providing support for orientation and training of all implementing technical partners on related construction issues, the Eco-friendly Construction concept and UNICEF financial and supply policies and procedures

Areas to be considered

1. Liaise with the sections of Supply and Logistics, Education, WASH and CSD to ensure technical specifications and contractor’s works meet the needs and requirements of beneficiaries, especially about child friendly designs;
2. Coordinate with institutional partners (Ministries of Health, Education, sanitation) and implementing partners (NGOs) including responsible of construction projects supported by donors, in central and decentralized level, others UN Agency, to ensure compatible and appropriate standards and costs are used in all the UNICEF buildings; 
3. Provide expertise in tendering and bidding, review designs and architectural drawings, monitor work in the field for quality and efficiency;
4. Work closely with the other UNICEF engineers, as well as other partners, to ensure that the programme goals are achieved; Observe and report back to head of section activities under construction projects and to UNICEF management any concerns about the overall construction process;
5. Assess the capacity of UNICEFs partners to identify their strengths and possible weaknesses;
6. Coordinate remote monitoring of projects supported by donors
7. Assess the capacity of UNICEF’s partners and develop recommendations to maximize their strengths; propose solutions to minimize the risks;

Visit each active construction site, at least three times site visits should be timed to coincide with significant construction activities, such as pile driving completion, foundation excavation completion, steel fixing and form work inspection, concrete pouring and form work striking; ensure detailed records are kept of all construction activities, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress

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

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or higher) in Advanced university degree in Civil Engineering, Public Works Engineering or a related technical field is required
• *A first University Degree in a relevant field  with a total of (7) Seven years of professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an Advanced University Degree.

Professional Work Experience

• A minimum of (5) five years of relevant professional experience in school, water and health infrastructure construction programmes, reconstruction and logistics planning, management, monitoring and evaluation or in a related field is required.
• Background in Emergency programmes is an asset.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills; ability to work productively in a multi-cultural environment; good health and willingness to travel and live in locations with difficult conditions are required.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in French and good knowledge in English.
• 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) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

Functional Competencies

• Analyzing (2)
• Persuading and influencing (1)
• Applying technical expertise (2)
• Learning and researching (2)
• Planning and organizing (1)

Core Competencies

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
• Works Collaboratively with others (2)
• Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
• Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
• Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
• Drives to achieve impactful results (2)
• Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

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.

Temporary Appointment for 364 days

High caliber candidates are invited to apply by 13 May 2021 COB