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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, A Safe Home  

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 nations.

How can you make a difference? 

PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Operations Manager, the consultant will be responsible for managing and monitoring all construction activities in the Country Office (related to the new UNICEF premises at the BNYC) and providing technical support to UNICEF Operations and management on construction and rehabilitation activities. 

SCOPE OF WORK

The objectives of the consultancy are to:

1. Technical guidance, project planning and scheduling
2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations and coordination with Government counterparts
3. Monitoring of construction projects

Activities and tasks

The consultant will be tasked with the following activities:

1. -   Technical Guidance, project planning and scheduling

• Provide specialized construction expertise in areas such as structural integrity, materials selection, and construction best practices.
• Develop the project work plan for the construction activities; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Manage the Construction unit human and financial resources; (composed of the engineering services contractors and the construction company) ensuring timely deployment of staff and responsiveness.
• Supervise the construction works, conduct weekly unit meetings; ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities between the consultancy companies.
• In collaboration with the Construction Unit in Supply Division and DFAM Field Support Unit, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized to continuously build capacity of the team on UNICEF Construction procedures.

2. -   Collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations and coordination with Government counterparts

• Provide technical 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.
• Attend steering and 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; draft relevant sections of project reports required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.
• Review the scope of construction works in view of the UNICEF construction 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.
• Check technical documents related to construction (design drawings, technical specifications, and bills of quantities); verify whether they are clear, complete, and compliant to regulatory requirements, programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; undertake the actions required to endorse these technical documents by relevant authorities.
• Follow up with the relevant project stakeholders  and government entities for obtaining all permits required for construction activities prior initiating works.

3. -   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; 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 easily ensure assessment of works quality, progress, and performance of engineering firms and construction companies during the entire duration of the project; apply multi-layered approach to construction supervision and quality assurance; use documented hold and inspection points, where applicable.Quality Control, Compliance and Regulatory Oversight. Ensure that construction quality aligns with project specifications, industry standards, regulations codes, safety standards, and environmental requirements.
• Cost Control and Budgeting. Offer advice on budget management, cost controls, and value engineering opportunities. Certify payments/variations and compile supporting documents; monitor construction expenditures and progress certificates; prepare and maintain relevant table for each construction activity.
• Provide support to UNICEF Operations Manager on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc. Ensure all documents/information required for contract management are available, complete, and properly archived.
• 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 support to UNICEF Operations Manager on contract close-out in VISION; prepare the final completion report with the lessons learned for submission to the Construction Unit (SD) and AMS/NYHQ as necessary.

Outputs and deliverables

1. Consultancy workplan – detailed workplan for the assignment and construction project workplan with clear timelines risk management- identification of potential risks and risk mitigation measures.
2. First Monthly Progress Report – update on construction progress supported with photos, key milestones achieved, quality of executed works and compliance with contractual technical documents, risks and challenges, cost control measures, and any potential variation to the project plan. Any issues and incidents related to safety & security needs to be reported immediately to Operations Manager.
3. Second Monthly Progress Report – update on construction progress supported with photos, key milestones achieved, quality of executed works and compliance with contractual technical documents, risks and challenges, cost control measures, and any potential variation to the project plan. Any issues and incidents related to safety & security needs to be reported immediately to Operations Manager.
4. Third Monthly Progress Report – update on construction progress supported with photos, key milestones achieved, quality of executed works and compliance with contractual technical documents, risks and challenges, cost control measures, and any potential variation to the project plan. Any issues and incidents related to safety & security needs to be reported immediately to Operations Manager.
5. Forth Monthly Progress Report – update on construction progress supported with photos, key milestones achieved, quality of executed works and compliance with contractual technical documents, risks and challenges, cost control measures, and any potential variation to the project plan. Any issues and incidents related to safety & security needs to be reported immediately to Operations Manager.
6. Final Consultancy Report – comprehensive final report detailing the outcomes of the consultancy, final cost, lessons learned, and recommendations for future work to be delivered by April 2024.

Schedule of activities: consultancy will be for 145 working days spread over 6 months.

Working relationships

The consultant will report to the UNICEF Operations Manager, and a committee composed of UNICEF RO, DFAM and BNYC Facility management office.

Payment schedule

Payment will be done against approved deliverables, as follows:

• Consultancy workplan- 10% of total fee
• First Monthly Progress Report – 15% of Total Fee
• Second Monthly Progress Report– 20% of Total Fee.
• Third Monthly Progress Report – 20% of Total Fee.
• Forth Monthly Report– 20% of Total Fee.
• Final consultancy report- 15% of Total Fee.

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

• An advanced university degree is required in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid relevant professional certification is required.
• A first level university degree (Bachelor's) in a relevant technical field (as identified above), in conjunction with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience may be taken in lieu of an advanced university degree.

• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in project management, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required.
• Understanding of development and humanitarian work.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset. 
• Fluency in English is required. 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, 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:  

Please indicate your ability, availability, and daily/monthly rate (BWP currency) to undertake the terms of reference above (including admin cost if applicable).  

Individuals engaged under a consultancy 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. Consultants 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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce and encourages qualified female and male candidates from all nationals, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of our organisation.

“UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and on any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.”

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.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants 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.