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, Water and Sanitation

With over 850 indigenous languages and one of the most ethnically diverse populations, widespread poverty, and gender inequality make it hard for many children to realize their rights. In Papua New Guinea, UNICEF’s works effectively both ‘upstream’ (with governments) and ‘downstream’ (at the grassroots level) to carry out its mission through a programme of cooperation jointly developed with the government guides our work in the country.

How can you make a difference? 

Background

UNICEF has been working on a project called “Climate Action for the Last Mile” in Papua New Guinea (PNG). The main goal of this project is to help the most vulnerable children by giving them access to climate-smart services and infrastructure. To help carry out the project activities on time, UNICEF plans to hire a consultant (engineer). The main task of the consultant will be to support and oversee activities and interventions in the Rigo district. He/she will ensure that the Climate Smart Social Services and Infrastructure (C3SI) institutional contracts and partnerships for the new construction and rehabilitation work is completed in line with the agreed design, standard and specifications. This position will be based in Rigo district and work closely with technical team of District Development Authority (DDA) Rigo. Consultant will conduct the needs assessment for communities and institutions and provides quality assurance of the ongoing work. The project is multisectoral covering Health, Nutrition, Education and Child Protection intervention, hence the consultant will establish and strengthen partnership and working relationship with District and Provincial Environmental Health Officers, School Inspectors and LLG Managers to carry out community level consultation, , conduct site surveys, prepare feasibility studies and technical designs, prepare tender documentation (including bills of quantities), supervise construction work and provide training for staff that are responsible for operating and maintaining climate smart social systems and infrastructures during the course of project implementation.

The consultant engineer will ensure that all social systems and infrastructures are climate resilient and based on designs that are appropriate for the local environment while meeting the national standards.

Scope of Work:

Under the guidance of Climate Resilient WASH Specialist, the consultant will work closely with DDA and other Government sectoral counterparts on assessment of communities and institutions to identify sectoral needs, technical monitoring and quality control of all construction (solar installation/borehole drilling etc) ensuring that all the construction and rehabilitation activities are completed on time, certified and handed over to the institutions and communities. S/he will provide technical advice and support to the institutional contractors, implementing partners, provincial and district counterparts in line with the national standards and guidelines.

The consultant engineer will be responsible for completing the following specific tasks:

• Carry out technical assessment/feasibility for climate smart infrastructures in communities and institutions.
• Prepare, based on the above, (a) detailed specifications for supplies and equipment, where required. (b) detailed designs and detailed drawings/schedules, and (c) BOQs/cost estimates for the most appropriate technical options. Also provide technical assistance to DDA for review of the available designs/BoQs.
• Support LLG Managers to develop proposals for WASH projects identified by communities and ensure that relevant agencies are adequately involved.
• Work constructively with non-government organisations and civil society to deliver similar projects within the district.
• Support participatory, inclusive community consultation processes that aim to assist communities to identify risks and associated vulnerabilities.
• Ensure that any community consultation processes consider the specific requirements of disadvantaged and marginalized groups, including the very poor, women, infants and children, the elderly and people with disabilities.
• Work with LLG Managers, Ward Councillors, the District Development Authority Chief Executive Officer and the Provincial Lands Officer to negotiate with landowners and to secure their approval for the construction of climate smart social services and infrastructures on customary land, and further ensure that landowners support the use of local resources for water supply systems.
• Conduct site surveys, prepare feasibility studies and technical designs and work with LLG Managers to prepare technical documentation, including bills of quantities.
• Assist LLG Managers/ward councillors to supervise construction projects and ensure that all public systems and infrastructures meet government regulations concerning quality of workmanship, Environmental and Social safeguards.
• Ensure the quality and quantity of supplied materials at construction sites conforms with the project’s bill of quantities.
• Issue certificates of completion for construction projects that have met government regulations concerning quality of workmanship, hazard reduction and water safety.
• Support private contractors, non-government organisations and civil society to train tradespeople and labourers, as needed, and ensure that adequate skills are available on a project to deliver a good quality of workmanship.
• Collaborate with various sectors such as education, health, and water and sanitation to ensure that climate-smart infrastructure projects are integrated into their plans. This includes organizing regular meetings with sector representatives to align project goals, share progress updates, and address any challenges that arise.
• Develop and conduct trainings for local government officials, community leaders, and sectoral staff on climate-smart practices and infrastructure maintenance. This will help ensure that all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to sustain the benefits of the project long-term.
• Ensure that accurate records are kept for each projects including the beneficiaries.
• Participate in monthly District Management Team meetings.
• Provide regular progress reports to the District Development Authority Chief Executive Officer, the Provincial Engineer and LLG Managers (as appropriate).
• Maintain constructive working relationships with District and Provincial Environmental Health Managers/Officers, School Inspectors, LLG Managers, non-government organisations, civil society and any other agencies formerly responsible for delivering WASH services within the district.

As a champion for every child, qualifications are… 

• Bachelor’s in Civil Engineer
• At least five years’ relevant experience including in design/supervision of climate smart infrastructures, rural piped water supply, renewable energy, boreholes and sanitation infrastructure
• Technical knowledge and expertise on solar powered pumping system is desirable
• Understanding of climate change adaptation/mitigation and risk mitigation approaches to system construction is desirable
• Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written);
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-cultural and multi-cultural settings and teams, and to deliver high-quality results within expected time frames; and
• Ability to make own arrangements at the district level in PNG
• Engineers registered with the professional body is a strengthen
• Ability to use software like Autocad/sketchup is desirable
• Good Inter-personal skills, commitment and motivation is essential.

For every Child, you demonstrate… our core values of Commitment, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability and Sustainability.

This position is a short-term assignment and doesn’t give rise to a long-term permanent post with the organization.

Applicants are required to include in their applications a financial proposal which includes a lumpsum amount for consultancy fees, local transportation and other miscellaneous costs. Breakdown or details of the fee will be much appreciated.

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.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply.

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.

UNICEF does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, or orientation). 

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 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.