National Engineering Consultant on Technical supervision for the construction and renovation

Job no: 580989
Position type: Consultant
Location: Uzbekistan
Division/Equivalent: CEE/CIS
School/Unit: Republic of Uzbekistan
Department/Office: Tashkent, Rep. of Uzbekistan
Categories: Education

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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, support! 

Background:
 
Working closely with the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan, UNICEF is leading the development of a national roadmap and guidelines for inclusive education, closely collaborating with Development Partners and the Ministry of Pre-school and School Education (MOPSE). This process is informed by the modelling of inclusive preschools and schools ensuring that all students including children with disabilities are supported with pedagogy that effectively uses assistive technology, devices, equipment and materials for learning in safe and accessible environment.
 
Additionally, promoting systemic approach to digital learning and school connectivity, the Republic of Uzbekistan has been recognized as a UNICEF Learning Pioneer Country and a best practice within the UNICEF global Giga Initiative. UNICEF is currently engaged with the Government in the upgrading of current specifications and standards for the use of portable digital technologies, integrating ICT into teaching and learning and advancing STEM learning.
 
In this context, UNICEF is currently supporting MOPSE in the modeling of fifty schools in all regions of the country to inform the review of current policies and standards needed to sustain inclusive digital environments and supporting outreach for the most marginalized through improved access to personalized digital learning pathways.
 
The project will facilitate the testing of digital solutions for improving learning outcomes as well as the development of a catalogue for assistive technology and school equipment, which is currently missing in the country. This will include necessary upgrading of available infrastructure against developed accessibility check lists based on universal design for school entry, ramps, signage, doors, toilets, among others. The last is particularly important considering that the lack of inclusive learning environments, including limited accessibility of infrastructure for students with disabilities, is consistently reported as the key challenges to ensuring full access to quality education, with a large majority of children with disabilities being excluded from education.
 
Scope of Work:
 
The consultant will contribute to various construction and renovation phases of 50 selected schools. This includes the preparation and evaluation of tender documents, the management of all phases of project design and construction work and liaising with construction and consulting companies engaged by UNICEF for the renovations. The consultant will also contribute to the achievement of concrete and sustainable program/project results according to the work plan, budget allocation, results-based management approaches, methodology, and UNICEF’s strategic plans, standards of performance, and accountability framework.
 
Performance indicators for evaluation of results:
The performance of work will be evaluated based on the following indicators:
  • Completion of tasks specified in Terms of Reference
  • Compliance with the established deadlines for submission of deliverables
  • Demonstration of high standards of work
Contractual modalities:
  • Location: The assignment involves missions to project sites and home-office-based work in Tashkent. The candidate is expected to provide technical support for procurement tasks including monitoring and quality assurance/control of construction work will be conducted across all regions in Uzbekistan.
  • Payment: UNICEF will issue a contract in USD. The payment will be made in UZS (based on UN currency rate) by bank transfer following the acceptance of the deliverable by the supervisor

Work Assignments Overview - Deliverables/Outputs - Timeline/ Days

1. Review the design documents proposed by the hired architectural design firm for the infrastructure upgrade and renovation project, and verify the respective Bills of Quantities - Design reviewed, discussed and BoQs approved by UNICEF before proceeding with tender for selection of construction company - 15 days.
 
2. Provide comprehensive technical assistance for all required contract procurement elements, including in supporting in the development and coordination of national partners towards the development of inclusive infrastructure standards based on developed designs and confirmed Bills of Quantities - Inputs provided to the tender documents in relation to selection of construction firms and inclusive infrastructure standards - 15 days.
 
3. Coordinate with the hired supervision and construction firms to monitor work progress at all sites and ensure quality construction and renovation work - Weekly progress meeting is held between consultant, architectural supervision firm and contractor - 25 days
 
4. Monitoring and supervision of the renovation works in the schools by:
  • Checking the quality of construction materials used;
  • Ensuring that construction practices meet the required standards and specifications;
  • Verifying that safety protocols and regulations are being followed on-site to ensure the safety of workers and students;
  • Monitoring the progress of the renovation works against the project timeline to ensure timely completion;
  • Assessing and mitigating any environmental impacts of the renovation works, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations;
  • Identifying and addressing any issues or defects promptly to prevent delays and additional costs.
Regular monitoring visits carried out to the project locations as per Travel Plan enclosed hereto. Reports for all construction sites are received from supervision firms and validated by the Consultant - 40 days
 
5. Verify the completeness of the school infrastructure upgrades at the project sites and ensure the quality of construction work - 
Verification statement for construction materials and quality of services based on BoQ for project sites. Monitoring checklist with recommendation on improvement of construction process/materials - 15 days
 
6. Perform other tasks as deemed necessary and requested by supervisor - 10 days
 
Total: Number of working days: 120 over 6 months
 
Travel: The consultant will have 25 local trips to the 12 regions of Uzbekistan with a minimum 2 day each.
 
Please submit a professional fee (in USD) based on 120 working days to undertake this assignment, without travel fees as this will be reimbursed as and when they take place.

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

  • Possess a university degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area. 
  • Minimum of 5 years in relevant field such as project management, site supervision, quality assurance, or other technical areas.
  • Knowledge and experience of construction/renovation buildings/infrastructure
  • Understanding of inclusive school infrastructure requirements (experience in construction/renovation inclusive schools)
  • Knowledge of local construction standards and skills
  • Knowledge of UN procurement procedures and tender preparation/evaluation will be an asset.
  • Fluency in written and spoken Uzbek and Russian.
  • Knowledge of English is considered 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 committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic background, and persons with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization. To create a more inclusive workplace, UNICEF offers paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. Click here to learn more about flexible work arrangements, well-being, and benefits.

According to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. In its Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy 2022-2030, UNICEF has committed to increase the number of employees with disabilities by 2030. At UNICEF, we provide reasonable accommodation for work-related support requirements of candidates and employees with disabilities. Also, UNICEF has launched a Global Accessibility Helpdesk to strengthen physical and digital accessibility. If you are an applicant with a disability who needs digital accessibility support in completing the online application, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF.

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.

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract 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 and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors 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. 

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. 

Advertised: West Asia Standard Time
Application close: West Asia Standard Time

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