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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.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built. We offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture., coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Education

The UNICEF Programme of Cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) is designed to address and mitigate the threat of poverty the country's children face, while responding to the needs with interventions addressing the multiple causative factors.

To find out more about UNICEF's work in Zambia, please visit UNICEF Zambia

How can you make a difference? 

The Construction Engineers will be responsible for following up on construction activities in Luapula and North-Western provinces under the European Union (EU)-funded Human Development programme. Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Construction Specialist, the consultants will be an available resource to support monitoring of construction projects by contracted construction vendors in line with their contractual obligations.

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Terms of Reference here:  TORs- Construction Engineers_EU-HD_Individual Consultancies_July 2025 - TMS.pdf

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

Minimum requirements:

Education: 

A university (Bachelor’s) degree is required in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Architecture, or other relevant university qualifications in the Built Environment field.

Work Experience: 

1. A minimum of Eight (8) years of relevant experience in project planning, monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other related construction project management responsibilities.
2. Understanding of the Zambia local context, culture, and government systems in the delivery of development projects, particularly rural public infrastructure in the Education, Health, and WASH areas.
3. In their cover letter, applicants must clearly indicate the number of years they have worked in the construction industry in a similar role and provide a concise summary of the work they have undertaken in relation to planning of construction projects, review designs and tender documents, coordination of key stakeholders on a construction project and monitoring of construction to ensure adherence to specifications. 
4. UN experience is an advantage

Skills:

1. Advanced computer skills in Microsoft packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Projects etc.). 
2. Ability to use AutoCAD and edit drawings. 
3. High quality report writing skills and ability to collect and analyse data. 

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the local language(s) of the respective provinces is considered an asset.

Desirables:

• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

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…

Competencies & Values 

1. Excellent interpersonal, networking & communication skills. 
2. Willingness to collaborate with others and contribute meaningfully to the achievement of results. 
3. Respect for diversity and adaptability to new cultures, environments and living conditions. 
4. Ability to innovate and embrace change. 
5. Self-awareness and ethical awareness. 
6. Drive to achieve results for impact. 
7. Ability to think and act strategically. 
8. Ability to manage ambiguity and complexity. 

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

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 is committed to fostering an inclusive, representative, and welcoming workforce. For this position, eligible and suitable [Insert candidates from targeted underrepresented groups] 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.

Humanitarian action is a cross-cutting priority within UNICEF’s Strategic Plan. UNICEF is committed to stay and deliver in humanitarian contexts. Therefore, all staff, at all levels across all functional areas, can be called upon to be deployed to support humanitarian response, contributing to both strengthening resilience of communities and capacity of national authorities.

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.