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.
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For every child, Education and Health
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?
Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Chief Supply & Logistics, the incumbent will be responsible for the technical monitoring and oversight of all construction activities in Haiti Country Office, including among others, the construction of 7 new permanent schools and the rehabilitation of 9 schools in the southern departments of Haiti. The incumbent will also be responsible for providing technical support to UNICEF Programmes/Operations on the conceptualization and planning of their construction and rehabilitation activities, as well as for addressing claims during the guarantee period for several projects that have reached the substantial completion stage, including 2 schools and 3 health facilities in the south of Haiti, and the extension of UNICEF office in Port-au-Prince.
Considering that most of the construction works are in the south of Haiti, the incumbent will be based at UNICEF’s field
office in Les Cayes, which covers UNICEF’s activities in the southern departments of Haiti. The incumbent will be responsable of the following activities:
1- Managing the construction unit
▪ Develop the construction annual workplan; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements; and
monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
▪ Prepare and collect information required for the annual workplan on regular activities, ongoing projects and others
in the pipeline.
▪ Manage the construction unit human and financial resources; ensure appropriate staffing deployment and timely
recruitment according to project’s needs.
▪ Supervise and coach unit staff; conduct regular unit meetings; ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities; and ensure
that knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.
2- Collaboration with Programmes/Operations
▪ Provide technical backstopping and support in matter of construction project management to Programme/
Operations sections and Government counterparts; provide information to Programme on construction related
activities to include them in their AWP.
▪ Provide assistance to Programme /Operations sections through involvement in construction project proposals with
special attention to timeline and cost (works, engineering services, staff, visits, etc.). Likewise, support planning and
preparation of relevant terms of reference; analyze the project context and suggest the appropriate implementation
and procurement modality.
▪ In collaboration with the Government counterparts and relevant Programme sections, lead the process to develop
and produce innovative cost-effective construction designs using local construction materials, based on best
practices in construction and building design.
▪ Attend steering and technical cooperation meetings; prepare regular reports on the progress of construction
projects; 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.
3- Coordinate the preparation of design and technical documents
▪ Ensure the scope of construction works is clearly envisaged to the requirements of Programme/ Operations, budget
and site limitations.
▪ Advocate and ensure the application of UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS,
etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials; ensure
compliance with green building standards, if required, in coordination with DFAM Field Support Unit.
▪ Ensure technical documents related to construction (design, drawings, technical specifications and bills of
quantities) are clear and adherence to UNICEF and national standards, and that they comply with programmatic
and construction needs, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; ensure endorsement of these technical
documents by relevant ministries.
▪ Ensure all permits required for construction activities are obtained prior initiating works.
4- Support to procurement process
▪ Ensure LPA requests and that construction supporting documents for CRC submissions are complete and clear for reviewing.
▪ Set strategy to explore the local market and the availability of potential construction companies and engineering
firms; advocate for establishing local Long-Term Arrangements and review relevant terms of reference.
▪ Ensure tender documents for construction works and engineering services are complete and coherent; ensure clarity of the technical information delivered during bidders' conference; validate answers on technical questions raised by the bidders during the solicitation process.
▪ Provide guidance to Supply section on organizing bidders' conference and site visits; organize, lead and review the technical evaluation of proposals; provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.
5- Technical monitoring and oversight of construction projects
▪ Organize the kick-off meeting of construction works with the construction company, the engineering firm and relevant government counterparts.
▪ Ensure overall follow-up to construction activities by coordinating regular site visits and regular technical meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services; review monitoring and site supervision reports, minutes of technical meetings to ensure work compliance with norms, standards and timeline;
▪ Provide solutions on obstacles related to technical matters/project management; ensure minimum quality and precautions
on health and safety standards are met on construction site.
▪ Ensure availability of effective monitoring and supervision tools, to enable the in-house engineers and engineering firms to easily assess the quality of works, progress, and performance of construction companies during the entire duration of the project; ensure multi-layered approach to construction supervision and quality assurance is applied; ensure to document hold and inspection points and take lead to release hold points.
▪ Coordinate the technical certification of payments and variations; and monitor overall construction expenditures.
▪ Coordinate contract management for construction activities with Supply section in relation to amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc. Ensure all documents/ information required for contract management are available, complete and properly archived.
▪ Organize and coordinate substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the DLP; ensure reception of works is certified through the issuance of relevant certificates.
▪ Ensure contract close-out in VISION along with completed Contract Performance Evaluation; review the final completion report with the lessons learned and submit to the Construction Unit (SD) and AMS/NYHQ as necessary
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: [attach JD/TOR here]
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
Minimum requirements:
Education:
- An advanced university degree is required in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area with 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.
Work Experience:
- 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 an advantage.
Language Requirements:
English and French (Intermediate level could be considered). Knowledge of Haitian Creole is an added advantage
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
(8 ) Nurtures, leads and manages people
Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.
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.
We offer a wide range of measures to include a more diverse workforce, such as paid parental leave, time off for breastfeeding purposes, and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements.
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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.
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’s active commitment to diversity and inclusion is critical to deliver the best results for children. For this position, eligible and suitable women and person with disability 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.
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.