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UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP) in the planning and delivery of services related to strategic planning, coordination, design, procurement, installation and maintenance, programmatic use, monitoring, business analysis, documentation, costing, and resource mobilization for medical oxygen in general, and more specifically for oxygen plants across the country. This support also extends to the vaccine cold chain through the installation of cold rooms, biomedical waste management via the installation of incinerators, the rehabilitation or construction of warehouses for storing Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) products, as well as related training.
The cold chain is a critical component of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in Guinea. It ensures that vaccines are stored at optimal temperatures to maintain their effectiveness until they are administered to beneficiaries. However, Guinea faces several challenges affecting the performance of this cold chain, including limited infrastructure (cold rooms and refrigerators), frequent power outages, and difficult access to remote areas. Optimizing the cold chain through the installation of regional cold rooms is a priority to ensure not only the success of vaccination campaigns in Guinea but also to improve vaccine coverage, particularly in remote areas, and to prevent recurrent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. This ultimately contributes to reducing child morbidity and even mortality. In addition, storage conditions for the EPI remain a major challenge both centrally and operationally, requiring rehabilitation and the construction of warehouses.
In Guinea, biomedical waste management remains a major challenge due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure and insufficient control measures. Health facilities generate potentially infectious waste daily, such as used syringes, soiled dressings, and vaccine vials, which are often disposed of inappropriately, posing health risks to the population and the environment. The World Bank, UNICEF, and USAID, as partners of the Ministry of Health, provide support for effective biomedical waste management through the installation of incinerators and the training of relevant personnel across the country. In this context, UNICEF, with the support of the Ministry of Health, plans to monitor and provide technical support during the implementation of various construction projects, including cold room shelters, incinerators, and warehouses at both central and regional levels. To ensure this technical support, UNICEF, in collaboration with the National Directorate of Public and Private Hospital Facilities (DNEHPP), the National Directorate of Epidemiology and Disease Control, and the National Directorate of Public Hygiene, has agreed on these terms of reference for the recruitment of a construction engineer for a period of 11.5 months, from July 2025 to June 2026. The technical support includes strategic and technical advice on health infrastructure construction in Guinea, as well as monitoring the technical aspects of various projects:
i) the construction of cold room sites,
ii) the construction of shelters for incinerators and their installation,
iii) the construction of EPI warehouses.
How can you make a difference?
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
How can you make a difference?
- Ensure technical monitoring, in coordination with various entities, for the construction and installation of cold rooms (8 positive and 6 negative), 10 incinerators, and the EPI warehouse.
- Oversee and provide technical supervision of the companies responsible for constructing the cold room sites, incinerators, and the EPI warehouse.
- Participate in the steering committee meetings for the cold rooms, incinerators, and the EPI warehouse, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP).
- Monitor and conduct the technical reception of consumables and equipment for the cold rooms, incinerators, and EPI warehouse.
- Track the procurement and delivery of control and maintenance tools intended for technical teams in hospitals and health centers.
- Supervise the installation of electrical systems, including 500 KVA transformers and accessories, to ensure adequate power supply for the equipment.
- Supervise and validate the functional testing of the cold rooms, incinerators, and the warehouse.
- Develop and implement a preventive maintenance plan, including audit reports and a dashboard for tracking performance and incidents.
- Prepare usage and maintenance protocols for the cold rooms, incinerators, and warehouse, along with relevant management guides and procedures.
- Participate in coordination meetings with other partners under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene (MSHP).
- Work in collaboration with the MSHP, related sectors, UNICEF, and other key partners.
- Regularly share with UNICEF the progress made, identified gaps, and proposed improvements.
- Update the office on developments and discussions related to cold rooms, incinerators, and warehouses across the country, and share relevant reports.
- Map and align the various projects related to cold rooms, incinerators, and warehouses in the country, in collaboration with partners such as the Global Fund, WHO, and the World Bank, and in accordance with the national health map.
- Conduct field visits for site assessments, construction of cold rooms, incinerators, and warehouses, as well as monitoring ongoing work.
- Work closely with the civil engineering officer of the Ministry of Health and construction firms contracted by UNICEF.
- Monitor and supervise the installation works of the cold rooms, incinerators, and the EPI warehouse.
- Propose measures to operationalize, finance, sustain, and ensure long-term management of oxygen plants, as well as to improve financial access to oxygen for patients in need.
- Ensure adherence to activity timelines for the implementation of projects related to cold rooms, incinerators, and the EPI warehouse.
- Provide technical support to UNICEF’s Health Section at all stages and throughout the implementation process of the cold rooms, incinerators, and warehouse projects.
- Document the process and share lessons learned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
EDUCATION
Degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent (minimum Bachelor's +5 years of higher education, i.e., master’s level).
WORK EXPERIENCE
- A strong expertise and proven experience of at least 5 years in the construction of health infrastructure, particularly in relation to:
- Strong knowledge of construction standards, including WASH, electrical system safety, fire safety, and ventilation.
- At least 5 years of relevant experience in health infrastructure construction projects, including:
- Needs assessment, analysis, and budgeting to support decision-making, preferably related to cold rooms, incinerators, or broader medical infrastructure.
- Development of plans, designs, and confidential cost estimates.
- Supervision of construction works, including efficient and safe electrical systems.
- Development and implementation of strategies/roadmaps/improvement plans for cold chain systems or waste management systems at the national or sub-national level.
- Capacity building of cold chain and waste management engineers/technicians.
- Ability to manage multiple construction sites simultaneously.
- Fluency in French is required; knowledge of English is desirable.
- Familiarity with UN agency procedures is an asset.
LANGUAGES
- Proficiency in French and English is required
VALUES AND COMPETENCY REQUIRED:
For every child, you demonstrate
Core Values:
- Care
- Respect
- Integrity
- Trust
- Accountability
- Sustainability
Core Competencies
- 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)
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. For this position, eligible and suitable female are encouraged to apply.
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.
Additional information about working for UNICEF can be found here.
