Construction Specialist, NOC at the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (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 fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Construction Specialist, NOC

Job Number: 526414
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Work Type: Temporary Appointment

Summary of Key Functions/Accountabilities

• Under the direct supervision of the Operations Manager and general guidance and advise of the Chief of Field Office as well as the Chief of Supply & Procurement in the country office, Construction Specialist will be responsible for developing and implementing a plan for the quality assurance and control of various school and other construction projects in the state of Borno and Yobe states of North-East Nigeria
• The incumbent will lead a unit of 2 national Construction Engineers. The position will be based in Maiduguri (Nigeria) with travel to Borno and Yobe states for monitoring of the projects.
• The Construction Specialist will plan, organize, and direct all construction activities within the timeline specified for each project including detailed design and documentation, tendering, construction and supervision/quality assurance.

Key Expected Results
Emergency Response:

• Assist program and operations sections to respond emergency construction needs.
• Establish Emergency Response Procedures for every project. Guide and assist contractors in implementing procedures.
• Provide inputs to requests for Emergency structures, ensuring quick turnaround on construction activities.
• Prepare budgets, identify which resources are available and have contingency plans in place to make up for any deficiencies.

Project Focal Point / Project Management:

• Oversee and coordinate all project activities, resources, equipment and information and be able to provide requests for information or project updates at any time.
• Act as the point of contact for clients, stakeholders, government, contractors and subcontractors and manage and maintain good working relationships with all.
• Work with all stakeholders and departments to coordinate projects to ensure all operations are completed in accordance with contract standards, industry specifications, to the project timeline and to budget.
• Monitor and track project's overall progress, keep satisfactory project monitoring documentation and file communications for all works.
• Advise UNICEF on and manage any issues that arise.

Contract Management:

• Oversee and coordinate all project contracts (design, construction, supervision and goods supply) across entire project scope.
• Draft project contracts ensuring compliance with UNICEF rules and regulations.
• Brief all contractors and ensure all are in full understanding of contract conditions, standards, specifications and scope of works. Act as focal point for all contract enquiries.
• Verify all payments and ensure deliverables have been met across all project related contracts for services and goods.

Tender Bids and Evaluations:

• Provide technical inputs by working closely with Program, operations and implementing partners to ensure that the bidding process, technical & financial evaluations, negotiations (if any) and contracts awarded are in accordance with UNICEF standards, rules and policy.
• For all Bids, ensure that evaluations are per the technical, financial and institutional standing as per the contract conditions and scope of works.
• Assist the Project Management team in the drafting and issuance of project proposals, RFP's, tenders, budgets, cash flows and preliminary schedules.
• Attend all meetings and be highly involved in the technical and financial bid evaluations, ensuring compliance with UNICEF procurement regulations at all times.

Project Monitoring and Reporting:

• At the beginning of the project determine appropriate project reporting tools, submission dates and reporting strategies.
• Ensure detailed records are kept contributing to the preparation of official reports, including the donor reports, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress.
• Create and maintain comprehensive project documentation, plans and reports and respond to project progress queries at any given time.
• Use project management tools to monitor working hours, budget, plans and money spent for all contractors and project staff.
• Advise UNICEF on any potential risks, and propose corrective measures regarding project timeline, project budget and quality of the works.
• Assist with drafting construction sections of donor, annual and other reports, as required.
• Attend all project meetings as required and represent UNICEF at all times.

Quality Design Outcomes:

• Always ensure High quality design is achieved throughout all project phases.
• Advise on the design of structures taking into consideration appropriateness of design, materials and environmental conditions for the context.
• Help prepare project proposals, timeframes, schedules, specifications and cost estimates as required.
• Approve draft and final submissions for all design components and associated documentation, always ensuring high quality design standards are being achieved.

Quality Assurance and Onsite Supervision:

• Approve contractor's quality monitoring tools at the beginning of all works.
• Develop and implement quality control programs and ensure compliance.
• Coordinate construction efforts with all contractors for project completion by predetermined deadlines.
• Use project management tools to monitor working hours, budget, actual works completed. If any of the above-mentioned items are not being met, advise and propose mitigation measures necessary to correct and take appropriate action.
• Conduct regular site inspections as required.
• Ensure the Construction Officers monitor the onsite works, report on works and respond to their daily queries during construction as required.
• Conduct regular site inspections at all project sites to ensure UNICEF supervisory regulations are being upheld.

Client Relations:

• Maintain good working relations with the client at all times.
• Prepare progress reports for clients and submit client reporting tools as agreed upon.
• Make certain that clients needs are met as the project evolves.
• Attend client meetings and respond to clients queries throughout project duration.

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

• A Master's Degree in Architecture, Engineering or a relevant technical discipline related to Design/Construction from a recognized University/Institution.
• A Bachelor's Degree in any of the above disciplines with eight years of relevant work experience is acceptable in lieu of a Master's Degree.
• A minimum of five (5) years experience working on construction projects in a project management and coordination capacity
• Experience of working in the North-East Nigeria and context is highly desirable.
• Experience of working with the UN systems in similar function is highly desirable.
• Proficiency with Autocad (or drafting equivalent software), GIS Software, Xcel and MS Word required, familiarity with other software programs is a plus.
• Ability to work productively in a multi-cultural environment; willingness to travel and live in locations with difficult conditions is highly desirable.
• A high level of interpersonal, management skills, integrity and ability to work with complex teams required.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines with minimum supervision required.
• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language of the duty station is highly desirable.

Competencies Required
Core Competencies:

• Communication
• Working with people
• Drive for results

Functional Competencies:

• Leading and supervising
• Analyzing
• Planning & Organizing
• Deciding and Initiating action
• Applying technical expertise

For every Child, you demonstrate:

• UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
• View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
  

Application Closing Date
28th September, 2019 (23:55:00 GMT+0100 West Africa Standard Time)

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• 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 to become a part of the organization.
• 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, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.