For every child, the right to a Future,
1. Background
UNICEF Cameroon aims to improve access to quality and inclusive education for school-aged children, including in crisis-affected communities. UNICEF Cameroon addresses issues such as inadequate infrastructure, to support improved access to education for vulnerable children and strengthen the resilience of schools through better infrastructure in the face of environmental and social challenges. This role is critical to ensuring the successful.
2.Purpose of Assignment & Justification
Under the Chief of Section, the Construction Specialist is responsible for the coordination of the construction activities under the Education Programme. The management of construction projects includes planning, support to procurement, as well as monitoring of construction works on site. The incumbent collaborates closely with UNICEF Operations in defining construction interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children and provides technical and advisory support to Government and partners on construction project management.
How can you make a difference?
1. Preparation of construction annual workplan
• Contribute in the development of the annual work plan for the construction activities;
• Coordination of Construction unit human and financial resources;
• Supervise and coach unit staff; conduct weekly unit meetings; ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities.
• Provide technical leadership in designing eco-friendly, energy-efficient school buildings and associated facilities such as teachers’ accommodation, administrative blocks, water points, and sanitation systems.
2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts
• Provide technical backstopping and support in matters of construction project management to Programme/Operations sections and Government counterparts;
• Provide assistance to Programme/Operations sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference; analyze the project context and suggest the appropriate implementation and procurement modality.
• In collaboration with Government counterparts, develop and produce innovative cost-effective construction designs using local construction materials;
• Make sure that construction adheres to green building standards
3. Preparation of design and technical documents
• Prepare 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, PSEA compliant, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; compliance with green building standards.
• Check technical documents related to construction (design drawings, technical specifications, and bills of quantities);
• Follow up with designing firms and government entities for obtaining all permits required for construction activities prior to initiating works.
• Conduct environmental impact assessments, ensure compliance with national building codes, and collaborate with ministry counterparts to ensure sustainability in every phase of the project.
4. Support to procurement process
• Provide technical support to Supply section with preparation of LPA requests and CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.
• Conduct surveys to identify potential construction companies and engineering firms available in the local market; prepare terms of reference required for establishing local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering services (design and site supervision).
• Prepare tender documents in relation to construction works and engineering services; attend bidders' conference and present the technical components of the tender; prepare answers on technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering.
• Support Supply section in organizing bidders' conference and site visits; conduct the evaluation of technical proposals received and prepare the evaluation report; provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.
5. Monitoring of construction projects
• Conduct 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;
• Use effective monitoring and supervision tools to ensure easy 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;
• Provide support to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.
• Participate in the partial, substantial, and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the DLP;
• Prepare Contract Performance Evaluation; provide support to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract close-out in VISION; prepare the final completion report and lessons learned for submission to the Construction Unit (SD) and AMS/NYHQ as necessary.
Minimum requirements
Desirables
- Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
- Experience in an emergency setting is strongly preferred.
- Resourcefulness, flexibility, and the ability to prioritize substantial amounts of work while under pressure.
- Good analytical, facilitation, communication, and presentation skills.
- Politically and culturally sensitive, aware of gender issues, with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy
For every Child, you demonstrate...
The 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
UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.
UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.
UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance. Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be 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 canceled.
Remarks
As per Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
Government employees who are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government positions 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.
UNICEF does not charge a processing fee at any stage of its recruitment, selection, and hiring processes (i.e., application stage, interview stage, validation stage, or appointment and training). UNICEF will not ask for applicants' bank account information.
The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member's original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF's Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.
All UNICEF positions are advertised, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. An internal candidate performing at the level of the post in the relevant functional area, or an internal/external candidate in the corresponding Talent Group, may be selected, if suitable for the post, without assessment of other candidates.