UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to protection

UNICEF works to protect the rights of every child in Sri Lanka. Our goal is to ensure that all of our children survive, thrive and fulfill their vast potential.

In a world that is rapidly changing, children are faced with complex challenges and unprecedented opportunities. UNICEF’s programs are designed to reach and benefit all children so that they can withstand these challenges, leverage these opportunities and be the drivers of their own destiny.

UNICEF is committed to creating a country in which every child is free to learn, play and grow. Our programs work towards providing all children in Sri Lanka with shelter, nutrition, protection and education, wherever they may be. We strive to create communities in which children can live with dignity and hope, free from discrimination, violence and fear.

We make every effort to create and maintain environments that will enable and empower children to be the very best that they can be.

For more information about UNICEF Sri Lanka and its work visit: http://www.unicef.org/srilanka

How can you make a difference? 

Scope of Work:

Goal and Objective: The main objective of the consultancy is to ensure that all refurbishment related works adhere to technical standards, designs, Bill of Quantities (BoQs), quality, and timeline.

The elements of the consultancy project are as follows:

To develop BoQs for the child witness rooms for tendering purposes.

To supervise the quality of works and review/certify the completed works as per the approved designs, specifications and BoQs

Description of Assignment :

The major tasks to be undertaken by the consultant in this regard may include but not limited to the following:

a) Refurbishment

The Consultant – Project manager for refurbishment - is responsible for the overall administration, management and provision of other relevant engineering support, as needed, for the refurbishment of (a) child witness rooms that are planned to be established in High Courts in 34 locations throughout Sri Lanka including BoQ development for each location and (b) refurbishment of Children’s Unit of the Attorney General’s Department to make the working environment of officers convenient and orderly with placement of furniture for document storage and filing, (c) any other design or engineering support as required in other project sites, such as Judicial Medical Officer’s Offices or University Forensic Medicine Departments. The consultant shall take on the following tasks: (but are not limit to)

• Project Management - Supervise and coordinate with the above-mentioned stakeholders and vendors who will be assigned on these tasks to ensure their technical inputs and approvals are completed in a timely manner and swiftly provided to the vendors for project implementation.

• Where applicable ensure to complete, submit and arrange for the payment of the government levies and ensure that the building contractor has fulfilled their obligations with respect to all relevant insurance and performance security under the relevant contract. Ensure insurances and other contractual controls are maintained throughout the project and any extensions to these are obtained if required.

Ensure all permits required for refurbishment activities are obtained prior to initiating works.

• Invite Partner, Representative from Protection Section and Company/ies selected for Refurbishment to Refurbishment Committee (RC) meetings , chair and minute all site meetings (which are to be held weekly). Provide copies of all meeting minutes to the Protection Section Focal Point within three (3) working days.

• Coordinate, monitor and manage engineering consulting/design company to achieve expected engineering surveys (topographical, geotechnical, seismic etc,), architectural designs, specifications, BoQs and daily supervision and quality control of the refurbishment works and refurbishment company/contractor to build the office as per stipulated contract terms and conditions.

• Prepare schedule of refurbishment activities, manage/ supervise refurbishment works, monitor work in progress, ensure project is implemented within agreed budgets and timelines, review/check/certify invoices and completed activities.

• Compile detailed progress reports for CC and other stakeholders, enabling real-time tracking of refurbishment progress.

• Ensure that effective quality control systems are in place and contractors and engineering consultancy companies work in compliance with technical specifications and quality standards.

• Ensure adequate health and safety measures and protocols are in place on site all the time and any deviations and incidents are swiftly reported.

• Prepare and provide to the building contractor interpretations and clarifications of the meaning and intent of the contract documents. Review and approve all proposed sub-contractors and supply project information to the building contractor in a timely manner (within 24 hours). Coordinate with CC for any input required facilities.

• Respond to Requests for Information (RFI’s) and issue site instructions and variations. Validate all variations in respect of the project and issue all variations in writing. If a variation is given orally, confirm the direction in writing within 24 hours. All variations are to be agreed with the CC prior to issuing. A Contracts Variation register is to be maintained. Manage and make adjustments against provisional sums and provisional quantities as required.

b) Post Refurbishment

The Consultant - Project Manager for refurbishment is responsible for post-refurbishment administration of the building contract in the following roles but not limited to:

•Coordinate with stakeholders to draft Operation and Maintenance guidelines to establish regular and periodic maintenance of the civil, mechanical and electrical components and equipment used in the building and prepare as built drawing.

•Ensure that the building contractor provides as-built drawings and maintenance and operations manuals as required by the building contract. Review all documents and administer any warranties required by the contract (drawings to be supplied in .dwg and .pdf format).

• Be responsible for the coordination and management of defects rectification during the defects liability period, ensure that rectification is undertaken in a timely manner, and update the defects list as works are completed. Advise the CC on the rectification of defects.

• Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Work relationships:

The consultant is expected to maintain a good working relationship with all stakeholders.

For further details on the Consultancy Engineer.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Minimum Qualifications required:

Bachelors - Civil, Architectural or Building Construction/ Refurbishment

Experience/ Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

Specialist skills/Training: Knowledge of procurement, tendering and contracting processes and requirements. Working experience in the area of preparation, implementation and monitoring of technical/construction / refurbishment projects; methodological and calculation skills. Skills in technical design of accessibility/eco-friendly and disaster risk reduction initiatives is an asset.

Years of experience: Minimum 8 years of professional experience at national level in the relevant field of Civil Engineering, Architecture or building/construction/ refurbishment, especially in preparation of construction/ refurbishment technical documentation as well as construction/ refurbishment supervision, project management. Experience in working in complex environments and large infrastructure and/or civil works construction/ refurbishment projects. Experience in managing and supervising medium to large-scale construction / refurbishment works in the public/private sector. Working experience in UN or other international development organization is an asset.

Competencies: Fluent in English language and Sinhala is a must, with skills in writing and documentation. Excellent and proven relationships in dealing with contractors and other stakeholders. To be a very good team player and ready to accept additional responsibilities

 

How to apply:

Qualified candidates are requested to submit a resume and other relevant documents

Please indicate your ability, availability and fee/rate in LKR to undertake the terms of reference above. (Indicate an all-inclusive fee (including lump sum travel, IT accessories, Internet and subsistence costs, as applicable) to undertake the tasks in the Terms of reference. Office 365 license will be provided by UNICEF, as applicable) 

Applications submitted without a fee/rate will not be considered 

Duration: 2.5 months (expected start date 16 March 2026)

Duty station - Colombo (home base)

 

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

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 encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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.

UNICEF is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable candidates are encouraged to apply.

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.

 

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.

If you think this position might be for you, please take the time to review our Country Office Mutual Agreements before you apply.

If you believe you can be a team member that can uphold these everyday, then we look forward to receiving and reviewing your application

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.