Country: Niger
Closing date: 22 Apr 2016
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Job Title: Construction engineer
Proposed level: P3
Duration: Temporary Assignment (TA) / 364 days renewable.
Place: Niamey, Niger
Supervisor: Supply Manager, Niamey
Background, justification and challenges
Niger is a landlocked Sahelian country of 19.2 million people, over half of whom are under the age of 15. Nearly half of the population is poor, despite reductions in the poverty rate over the past decade, and the country ranked last on the 2014 Human Development Index. Indicators are particularly alarming for women and children.
Through its 2014-18 Country Programme, UNICEF works toward the full realization of the rights of children and a reduction of disparities, with the aim of achieving equity. The Country Programme is structured around six programme components: child survival, nutrition, education, child protection, communication for development, and social policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation.
UNICEF operates from the capital city, Niamey, as well as from three zonal offices, including one that was recently opened in Diffa region.
UNICEF supports the Government of Niger’s relief and development efforts. UNICEF construction program includes all types of constructions, buildings, water points and water supply networks.
Objectives
The incumbent will be a member of UNICEF Niamey office. He/she will be responsible for:
(1) Supporting the implementation of policies, guidelines and activities addressing UNICEF construction projects
(2) Supervise the construction cell inside the Supply unit, organize work, and oversee budgets versus actual spendings
(3) Providing progress reports identifying constraints and proposed measures to address them
(4) Providing technical support to partners, particularly to local construction and institutional focal points
(5) Undertaking site visits to monitor and evaluate implementation; prepare progress reports.
Roles and responsibilities of the Construction Engineer
Under the supervision of the Supply Manager, he/she will:
Provide technical support to ensure the availability of accurate, complete and up-to-date information for an effective implementation, management and technical supervision of UNICEF Construction Program at the solid professional quality level. This includes: formulation of needs; survey of existing sites; feasibility studies; prepare architectural, structural and service drawings; prepare bill of quantities and engineer estimate; prepare tendering documents; evaluate bids; obtain necessary authorizations from concerned governmental bodies.
Supervise the work of implementing partners, construction contractors, design firms and technical controllers until final work completion and defect liability period. Scrutinize invoices and advise on payment; provide a monthly cash flow to the Finance Unit
Develop, review and follow the work process and procedures in order to guarantee the respect of the architectural and structural design, the choices of construction materials, the supervision of the field work and the procedures of quality control.
Prepare progress reports on field monitoring of activities, identifying field-site specific constraints encountered in implementation and propose measures to address these constraints; draft requests for Local Procurement Authorization
Supervise reception of equipment to install on sites, either procured directly on Sales Orders or through Procurement Services. Ensure that deliveries are complete and that equipment are stored properly and safely.
Work Condition
The position is based in Niamey with frequent travel to the areas of responsibility in the field.
Monitoring mechanism
The Construction Engineer will be supervised by UNICEF Supply Manager
Education
Master degree in Civil Engineering (bac + 4) or equivalent, or an architect diploma combined with at least 5 years of experience building constructions on site
Work experience
Minimum 5 years progressively responsible professional work experience at international levels in public building construction program. Experience in shelter and road construction will not be considered as relevant.
Language Proficiency
Fluency in French; controlling English is an asset.
Competency profile
Specific Technical Knowledge Required:
• Current knowledge of the latest developments in the construction field
• Leadership and teamwork abilities.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage programmes, as well as to impart
knowledge and teach skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and
effective working relationships both within and outside the organization
• Willingness to travel and work under difficult conditions
• Intermediate to advanced computer skills, including internet navigation and various office
applications as AutoCAD, Archicad, Microsoft Project and others.
Deliverable / outputs The expected outputs are: construction works completed with the best quality available locally, within timeframe and cost estimates, to the satisfaction of the end users
How to apply:
Deadline for submission : 22 April 2016
Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications comprising of a cover letter, an updated CV and signed P11 form (which can be downloaded from the UNICEF website, http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_apply.html or the United Nations website) and copy of the highest degree, to nigrecruit@unicef.org with subject line “Construction Engineer”**