Construction Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

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. UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019-2023) is aligned with the Government of Malawi’s Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III) and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its commitment to respect, protect and fulfil children’s rights in line with international conventions and standards. The country programme is guided by the principles of children’s rights, equity, gender equality, inclusion and resilience, and supports evidence-based, integrative and innovative programming. The vision is that ”all girls and boys in Malawi especially the most disadvantaged and deprived, realize their rights”. The programme focuses on early childhood (parenting, high-impact social services, early stimulation and learning), middle childhood and adolescence (learning, multi-sectoral services, active citizenship), communities (decentralized services and systems, community ownership, social norms), programme effectiveness (monitoring, evaluation, HACT, Innovation, Social Protection and Social Policy and External Communication. The programme is based on “leaving no child behind”, realizing ‘rights for all children in Malawi’.

Context

UNICEF has a mandate to safeguard the rights of all children, everywhere. That mandate is rooted in the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which sets out universal and indivisible rights that apply to every child, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, which apply to every country. This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Malawi programming initiative on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality funded by China. One of the key components of the current project is to renovate delivery room and newborn corners/small and sick newborn ward in 20 health care facilities (17 primary health care facilities and 3 hospitals). In addition, the health section is supporting the implementation of rehabilitation in different health care facilities and solarization of primary health care facilities and vaccine regional depot. More infrastructure work in health care facilities is expected if another project will be approved in near future. UNICEF Malawi is also involved in improvement of climate resilient WASH systems in both rural communities and health care facilities.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Health & HIV or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer (UNV) Construction Specialist will:

Summary of key duties:

1. Regularly update the work plan for construction activities.
2. Coordinate procurement processes for required construction works and services.
3. Support procurement processes for construction works and services.
4. Manage construction projects and associated contracts with vendors.
5. Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Regularly updating the construction work plan:

• Consolidate required infrastructure interventions for the Health Section, Operations, and other programme sections.
• Determine/revise performance indicators and monitor the progress of implementation to ensure results are achieved according to schedules and performance standards.
• Update the work plan regularly to incorporate emerging construction activities and schedules of ongoing projects.

Collaboration with the Health Section, Operations, other Programme Sections, and Government Counterparts

• Provide technical advice in the planning of construction projects in conformance with UNICEF Supply Division guidelines and international best practices.
• Provide technical inputs in the development of project proposals and terms of reference that include construction components.
• Collaborate with Government counterparts in developing and documenting innovative, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective construction designs.
• Participate in relevant multi-stakeholder technical working groups and represent UNICEF Malawi in reporting on infrastructure support provided by the office and in facilitating joint planning and monitoring of construction.

Preparation of technical documents for construction

• Prepare the scope of construction works and services based on requirements, budgets, and site limitations; detine deliverables and payment modalities.
• Review construction technical documents (drawings, technical specifications, and bills of quantities); verify if the documents are clear, complete, and compliant with programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficiency, and accessibility requirements; undertake actions required to endorse the technical documents by relevant ministries.
• Follow up with the appointed third-party quality assurance firms and government entities for obtaining all required development permits.

Support for procurement processes for construction works and services

• Provide technical support to the Supply Unit in the preparation of Local Procurement Authorization (LPA) requests and Contracts Review Committee (CRC) submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.
• Develop terms of reference required for pre-qualifying or requesting proposals from eligible service providers for construction works and engineering services.
• Support the Supply Unit in consolidating required documents for the establishment of local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering services (design and site supervision).
• Prepare tender documents related to construction works and engineering services
• Support the Supply Unit in conducting the Bidders’ Conference (Pre-bid Meeting), presenting technical components of the tender, and providing answers to technical questions raised by potential bidders.
• Organize and coordinate site visits when required.
• Lead the evaluation of technical proposals and support the Supply Unit in analyzing financial proposals and documenting the recommendation for award.
• Support the Supply Unit in preparing cases for presentation to the Contract Review Committee (CRC) following the conclusion of the evaluation of proposals for construction works and/or engineering services; present and respond to all technical aspects during and after CRC meetings.

Management of construction projects

• Provide close monitoring of construction activities by undertaking regular site visits and conducting regular technical meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services.
• Follow up on the progress of construction through the review of weekly progress reports submitted by the third-party quality assurance firm.
• Ensure adherence of construction works and engineering services to established norms, standards, and timelines.
• Verify compliance with quality requirements and health and safety standards.
• Establish effective supervision tools to enable the identification of challenges affecting quality, time schedules, and cost of construction works and services.
• Review payments and proposed work variations; monitor and manage expenditure on construction projects and maintain relevant records for ease of follow-up.
• Participate in the partial, substantial, and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the Defects Liability Period (DLP) and issuing relevant certificates.
• Ensure the development and filing of As-Built Drawings and share them with relevant Government counterparts for their record and use when required.
• Conduct Contract Performance Evaluation.
• Provide support to the Supply Unit on contract close-out in VISION, preparing the final completion report and lessons learned for submission to the Construction Unit (Supply Division).

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteer (UNV) programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and actively participate in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International
• Volunteer Day);
• Become acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/expected outputs:

• As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and its beneficiaries in accomplishing her/his functions, including:
  • Construction work plan updated at least monthly
  • Strengthened collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations and coordination with Government counterparts
  • Design and technical documents prepared in a quality and timely manner o Supported procurement process
  • Construction projects effectively managed and monitored to completion
• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout the assignment
• A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and capacities developed

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience

7 years

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Master’s degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture construction management and any other related fields or a Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work experience.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards [Insert name of Host Agency’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Skills and experience

• At least 5 years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project management, site supervision, quality assurance, and/or other directly related technical fields is required; humanitarian and developing country work experience and/or experience with the Malawi context is an asset, as is experience working in the United Nations (UN) or other international development organizations.
• Registration with the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) is a mandatory requirement.
• Experience in integrating cross-cutting priorities such as disability inclusion, climate change adaptation, Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS), and social protection considerations into project design and implementation is desirable.
• Experience related to energy-efficient buildings and innovative construction technologies is considered a strong asset.
• Experience in the use of construction management and design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, project planning software) and familiarity with international norms and standards is an advantage.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, and reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated; ability to work with minimum supervision and meet tight deadlines.
• Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4×4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete).
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in health, education, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development; and the UN System.

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