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For every child, the right to Safety

How can you make a difference? 

The WASH Specialist – Site Engineer (Urban) will be responsible for contract management, construction supervision, and quality assurance for urban WASH infrastructure projects, with a specific focus on water supply and sanitation systems in institutions and urban water treatment plant maintenance and rehabilitation across Sudan, particularly in the River Nile, Northern, and Kassala States.

1. CONTRACT MANAGEMENT

Pre-Tender and Tender Phase:

• Advise the WASH Manager and Chief of WASH in initiating procurements and establishing WASH construction contracts aligned with KFW, World Bank, and AfDB funding requirements
• Review of the comprehensive technical specifications, Bills of Quantities (BOQ), and prepare Terms of Reference for assessment, design, supervision, and construction contracts.
• Support the tendering process by providing all required technical data, drawings, and documentation to ensure clarity and completeness of contract documents.
• Participate in tender evaluation and contractor selection processes, ensuring technical competence and financial viability of bidders.
• Coordinate with government counterparts and donors to ensure alignment with national policies and international standards

• Liaise with the supply and procurement section, and facilitate contract negotiations and finalization with selected contractors and consultants.
• Ensure contractors and consultants are fully briefed on contract requirements, project scope, timelines, and quality standards before mobilization.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive contract administration systems, including document registers, payment schedules, and variation tracking.
• Develop and implement project work plans with clear milestones, deliverables, and timelines in coordination with contractors and consultants.

• Maintain financial oversight and control of contract values/cost at the site level, ensuring expenditures align with approved allocations and donor commitments.
• Review and process contractor payment certificates as per the milestones in the contract, ensuring compliance with contract terms and work completion.
• Issue contract instructions and variations as required, documenting all changes and their financial/schedule implications
• Monitor contractor compliance with contractual obligations, including timely submission of reports, drawings, and documentation.
• Manage and resolve contractual disputes and claims through documented evidence and transparent communication.
• Prepare financial forecasts (quarterly, six-monthly, and yearly) in line with funding arrangements and disbursement schedules.
• Report critical issues and deviations to the WASH Manager and Chief of WASH for timely action and resolution

• Conduct final inspections and certify practical completion of work.
• Prepare defect lists and ensure timely rectification by contractors.
• Verify and certify final accounts and ensure all contractual obligations are fulfilled.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and financial records for audit and institutional learning

• Conduct regular site inspections and monitoring of construction activities, with particular attention to institutional WASH facilities and water treatment plant rehabilitation works.
• Discuss with contractors and consultants any challenges that affect project timelines, quality, and costs, and document agreed solutions.
• Verify that construction methods, materials, and artistry comply with approved designs, technical specifications, and contract documents.
• Monitor progress against agreed schedules and milestones, identifying delays and implementing corrective actions.
• Ensure safe working conditions and compliance with health and safety regulations on all project sites.
• Maintain detailed site records, including daily logs, progress photographs, and correspondence with contractors

• Provide technical guidance daily on the water supply systems construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation, including treatment plant operations and maintenance procedures.
• Review and approve contractor-submitted drawings, method statements, and construction schedules before implementation.
• Oversee the installation of water treatment equipment, pumping systems, storage facilities, and distribution networks in institutional settings.
• Monitor rehabilitation and maintenance works on existing water treatment plants to ensure minimal service disruption.
• Coordinate with government water utilities and institutional authorities to ensure integration with existing systems and operational continuity.

• Arrange and participate in regular construction progress meetings (Bi-weekly minimum) to review progress, discuss challenges, and align the next steps.
• Maintain regular communication with government counterparts, local authorities, water utilities, and institutional stakeholders.
• Facilitate coordination between multiple contractors and consultants working on related components.
• Ensure effective collaboration with UNICEF colleagues and other UN agencies as needed

• Develop and implement comprehensive Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) plans aligned with UNICEF standards, national regulations, and donor requirements.
• Establish clear quality standards and acceptance criteria for all materials, artistry, and finished works.
• Create standardized checklists and inspection protocols for critical construction phases, particularly for water treatment systems and institutional facilities.
• Ensure all project personnel are familiar with quality requirements and procedures

• Conduct systematic inspections and testing of materials before use, including water quality testing, concrete strength verification, and equipment certification.
• Verify compliance with approved designs and technical specifications through regular site inspections and material sampling.
• Inspect critical construction phases before they are concealed, ensuring quality before work proceeds.
• Document all inspection results, non-conformances, and corrective actions in detailed QA/QC reports.
• Certify material deliveries and work completion against contract specifications and quality standards
   

• Monitor and certify contractor compliance with approved quality assurance plans and procedures.
• Verify that all works meet applicable national standards, international best practices, and donor compliance requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation of quality control measures, test results, and certifications for all critical components.
• Prepare quality assurance reports for management, donors, and partners as per agreed formats and timelines.
• Identify defects and non-conformances, issue corrective action notices, and verify timely rectification by contractors.

Lessons Learned and Documentation:

• Prepare learning and knowledge products documenting quality assurance approaches, challenges, and solutions.
• Maintain comprehensive QA/QC databases and records for institutional learning and future project reference.
• Contribute to sector-wide quality improvement initiatives and share best practices with government and partner organizations

• Provide regular progress reports on contract implementation, construction supervision, and quality assurance activities.
• Advice on procurement strategies, contract types, and risk management approaches for WASH infrastructure projects.
• Support the implementation of the urban WASH work plan and procurement plan, determining priorities and ensuring timely delivery.
• Contribute to advancing the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus by effectively implementing WASH infrastructure projects.
• Participate in strategic WASH programme planning discussions and contribute to the formulation of outcomes and outputs.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  TOR WASH Specialist - Site Engineer P3 Dongola.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

[Include the vacancy requirements aligned to the category and level of the position. You can see examples in the branded VA example.]

• Education:  Master’s degree in civil engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related field.
  • An advanced certification or diploma in construction management, contract administration, or quality assurance is an asset.
• Work Experience: Minimum 5 years of professional experience in WASH infrastructure project management, construction supervision, or contract administration.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing water supply and sanitation construction projects, preferably in institutional or treatment plant settings.
  • Proven experience in contract management, including tender preparation, contractor supervision, and financial oversight.
  • Experience with quality assurance and quality control in construction projects.
  • Experience working in protracted emergency or development contexts is an asset.
  • Familiarity with donor-funded projects (World Bank, AfDB, KFW) and their requirements is an asset.
• Skills:
  • Strong technical knowledge of water supply systems, treatment processes, and sanitation infrastructure.
  • Excellent contract management and financial administration skills.
  • Proficiency in project management tools and software.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.
  • Problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
  • Attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Language Requirements:
  • Fluency in English is required.
  • Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
  • Knowledge of another official UN language (French, Spanish, or Russian) is an asset.

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. Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (1)
2. Works Collaboratively with others (1)
3. Builds and Maintains Partnerships (1)
4. Innovates and Embraces Change (1)
5. Thinks and Acts Strategically (1)
6. Drive to achieve impactful results (1)
7. Manages ambiguity and complexity (1)

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 female candidates from donor countries 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.

Eligible staff members on fixed-term, continuing or permanent contracts applying to IP TA positions in a duty station designated as L2/L3, may be able to retain a lien and their fixed-term entitlements, subject to approval by their Head of Office. The conditions of the temporary assignment will vary depending on the status of their post and relocation entitlements may be limited as per the relevant policies.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.