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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, hope

The Administrative Specialist (Technical Support), Field Support Unit, is responsible for supporting field offices and regional offices in the areas of office and residential leasing, space utilization and accessibility, construction and related EDGE certification, technical analysis of CAF request submissions and solar leasing, while ensuring compliance with administrative policies and procedures, to achieve concrete results according to the work plan developed by the Administrative Management Section.

How can you make a difference? 

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Provides technical guidance/advice and makes recommendations to field and regional offices on: Programming/Planning and Design of the Common Premises Construction Projects Including:

• Reviewing, analyzing, and summarizing all incoming technical documents submitted by UNICEF field offices and UNCTs

• Examination and analyses of feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses

• Analysis of premises selection for rental/repair/construction and real estate market studies

• Advice on space planning in new and existing premises in the frame of new TTCP +FS guidelines.

• Evaluation of financial proposals and business cases for proposed projects

• Provide guidance on preparation of High-Level Implementation Plan (HLIP) following systematic process approach, Implementation and Procurement Strategy, Risk Analysis & Mitigation Mechanism, Quality Control Methodology etc.)

• Support Country Offices on recruitment of Construction Manager/team to manage construction projects

• Provide technical support and guidance on preparation of Terms of Reference and tendering/contract for engagement of A&E design company, and solar leasing companies.

• Review and evaluation of architectural and engineering drawings, specifications, and bill of quantities (BOQs)

• Advice on lease negotiation with commercial landlords and other UN Agencies

2. Provides guidance and support to achieve Common premises objectives. Support in implementation of Common Premises Projects including:

• Advice on development of Project Schedule, indicating project phases and deliverables with milestone deadlines for the respective phases (i.e., Detailed Planning phase (pre-design); Design phase; and Construction phase).

• Provide technical support on guidance for the preparation of Terms of Reference and tender/contract documentation for contractors

• Provide on-going technical advice, site supervision and quality assurance and resolving problems on on-going projects

• Provide guidance on Project closeout and Defect liability phase

• Provide guidance to ensure defect rectification, as built drawings, guarantee certificates & Preventive Maintenance Manual of the newly constructed offices

3. Advises on accessibility on new projects and existing premises.

• Provide technical support to ensure compliance with accessibility and eco-efficiency requirements including EDGE certification in the new office construction project.

4. Provide technical support in solar leasing projects.

5. Drafts Technical Correspondence, Briefing Notes and Reports on all technical aspects of premises projects.

6. When required, undertakes field missions to evaluate field issues and provide recommendations for solutions. However, the incumbent is not vested with decision-making authority.

7. Performs other miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned

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

Minimum requirements

• An advanced university degree (Master's) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or Facilities/Construction Management is required.
• A minimum of ten (10) years relevant experience, including a minimum of three (3) years international experience in construction projects involving Government entities, developers, municipalities, and contractors on similar projects, is required.
• Skills and prior experience in space planning in accordance with the TTCP standards, accessibility design practices, structural design, project planning, and contract management.
• Experience/knowledge of work in the UN System or a similar international organization is highly desirable.
• Experience of project management in developing countries is especially desirable.
• Proven experience of analyzing and evaluating various options of project development with a view to determining the most cost-effective and favorable solutions that meet the needs of the Organization. This includes experience of evaluating feasibility studies, cost-benefit analyses, spatial requirements, floor plans, technical specifications, tender/contract documentation.
• Experience in engineering studies, solar leasing and Green Building concepts is required.
• Familiarity with international construction standards.
• Familiarity with international safety, security and health standards pertaining to UN office construction and premises.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with, strong inter-personal skills: must be a good team player.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency is considered an asset.
• Fluency in English is required (written and verbal). Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is considered 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) 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 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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.

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:

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

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. 

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.

Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.