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, hope
How can you make a difference?
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Supply at the MENA Regional Office and with a matrix reporting line to the Supply and Logistics Manager at UNICEF Syria, the Construction Manager P4 position offers strategic and technical oversight to MENA Region Country Offices (CO), with accountability for construction activities implementation across the full projects’ lifecycle, from proposal development, to project scoping, implementation, and monitoring.
The position will be initially offered for one year, during which the primary operational focus of the regional construction oversight will initially be focused on Syria (i.e., 70% focus), Lebanon and Iraq COs (i.e., 30% focus), where active construction portfolios exist. During this period, the incumbent will be based at Damascus, Syria with frequent travel to Lebanon, Iraq and other countries in the region as required. If extended, the duty station, reporting lines, and designated Country Offices may be revised.
The incumbent will directly contribute to technical oversight and quality assurance, including third-party supervision, regular monitoring visits, compliance with UNICEF standards, and follow-up during the Defects Liability Period.
The incumbent will mentor and build the technical skills of national engineers in each Country Office through field-based coaching, structured capacity-building plans, and harmonized tools and procedures.
The management of construction projects encompasses a comprehensive range of responsibilities, including strategic planning, support throughout the contracting process, oversight of construction activities, and providing technical advice and support. The incumbent will work in close coordination with UNICEF Programme and Operations teams at both country and field office levels to design and implement construction interventions that effectively respond to programmatic priorities and contribute to improved outcomes for children.
In this capacity, the incumbent will provide technical guidance and advisory support to government counterparts and implementing partners (IPs), ensuring adherence to quality standards and alignment with UNICEF's objectives. A key focus will be on enhancing the institutional capacity of government and partner stakeholders through targeted capacity-building initiatives. The role also involves reinforcing quality assurance mechanisms and developing tailored risk mitigation strategies that consider the unique complexity and market dynamics of each operational context.
Summary of key functions/accountabilities:
- Management of construction projects across Country Offices in MENA Region
- Collaboration with UNICEF Programme/Operations and coordination with Government counterparts
- Preparation of design and technical documents
- Support with the procurement process
- Monitoring of construction projects
If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here: 
JD - Construction Manager P4 FT (VA).doc
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, or relevant first-level university degree (Bachelor’s) in conjunction with a valid 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 eight (8) 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.
- Language Requirements: Fluency in English is required.
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Desirables:
- Work experience in an emergency context is an advantage.
- Proficiency in Arabic is an asset for effective communication and stakeholder engagement across Arabic-speaking countries.
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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…
- Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (2)
- Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness (2)
- Works Collaboratively with others (2)
- Builds and Maintains Partnerships (2)
- Innovates and Embraces Change (2)
- Thinks and Acts Strategically (2)
- Drive to achieve impactful results (2)
- Manages ambiguity and complexity (2)
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:
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.
Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
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.
