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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, a Champion!

As part of the implementation of the Country Program (CP) extension phase 2021-2023 and the office Annual Rolling Work Plan 2023, UNICEF supports the Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages (MENAPLN) for the implementation of Plan de developpement de l’Education de base et de l’enseignement secondaire (PSDEBS 2021-2025).

One of the PSDEBS’ priorities is to increase the educational offer and the quality of education through the construction and rehabilitation of educational structures including WASH facilities. To this end, UNICEF has been supporting MENAPLN for the construction / rehabilitation of educational structures since 2014. The office has already received a multiyear allocation for the rehabilitation/construction of several schools per year with the funds from the Japanese Committee for UNICEF and from JICA among others.

Additionally, the education section is heavily involved in increasing access to education in emergency and, as such, works closely with partners to oversee the construction of several types of temporary learning spaces that are clean and safe for children and teachers.

How can you make a difference? 

Under the direct supervision of the Supply & Logistics Manager, the Construction Manager is responsible for managing the construction activities of Burkina-Faso country office. The management of construction projects includes planning, support to procurement, as well as monitoring of construction works on site. The incumbent collaborates closely with UNICEF Programme/ Operations in defining construction interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children and provides technical and advisory support to Government and partners on construction project management.

KEY FUNCTIONS, ACCOUNTABILITIES AND RELATED DUTIES/TASKS

1. Management of construction unit

• Develop the annual work plan for the Construction unit; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.
• Ensure effective and efficient management of the Construction unit human and financial resources; ensure appropriate staffing deployment and timely recruitment according to project’s needs.
• Supervise and coach unit staff; conduct weekly unit meetings; ensure clarity of roles and responsibilities. In collaboration with the Construction Unit in Supply Division, ensure knowledge sharing and learning is prioritized in order to continuously build capacity of individuals and the team.

2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts

• Provide technical backstopping and support in matter of construction project management to Programme sections.

• Establish close collaboration with Programme sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference.
• In collaboration with the Government counterparts, develop and produce innovative cost-effective construction designs using local construction materials; compile and update list of best practices in construction and building design.
• Attend steering and technical cooperation meetings; prepare PPT presentations on projects' progress; undertake follow-up action and coordination related to project implementation and monitoring.
• Keep Programme sections informed of projects' progress and obstacles; draft relevant sections of project reports required for donors, management, annual reports, etc.

3. Preparation of design and technical documents

• Prepare the scope of construction works based on program requirements and site assessment; define deliverables and payment modality.
• Advocate and support the application of UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, greening, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials.
• Ensure technical documents (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities) are clear, complete and compliant to programmatic requirements; ensure endorsement of these technical documents by relevant ministries.
• Ensure all permits required for construction activities are obtained prior initiating works.

4. Support to procurement process

• Liaise and coordinate with Supply section to prepare LPA requests and CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.

• Conduct surveys to identify potential construction companies and engineering firms available in the local market; establish local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering services (design and site supervision).
• Prepare the terms of reference and other tender documents for selecting construction companies and supervising firms; attend bidders' conference and present the technical components of the tender; answer technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering.
• Conduct the evaluation of technical proposals received and draft the evaluation report; provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals.

5. Monitoring of construction projects

• Organize the start of construction works in coordination with the construction company and the engineering firm.

• Ensure overall follow-up to construction activities by undertaking regular site visits, conducting regular technical meetings, monitoring progress and ensuring work compliance with norms, standards, and timeline.
• Ensure effective monitoring and supervision tools are developed and implemented, to enable monitoring and analysis of contract performance easily undertaken and ensure that contractors and engineering consultancy companies are working in compliance with contractual terms and conditions.
• Certify payments and variations; monitor construction expenditures and submit financial status reports on construction activities.
• Provide support to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.
• Organize and participate in the partial, substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects.
• Ensure contract close-out in VISION along with completed Contract Performance Evaluation; Prepare and submit the final completion report and lessons learned to the Construction Unit (SD).

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

Minimum requirements:

• Education: An advanced university degree (at least Master degree) is required in civil engineering, construction engineering or architecture.
• 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.
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French is required (written and oral). Good working knowledge of English (written and oral) Knowledge of another official UN language is an asset;

Desirables:

• Understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience an advantage. Prior experience with the United Nations System is an asset.

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…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others 

(8) Nurtures, leads and manages people 

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.

UNICEF staff members holding fixed-term, continuing, or permanent appointments who are considered to be on abolished post status may apply for this temporary position and, if selected with a start date before 31 December 2025, may take it up as a temporary assignment, in line with UNICEF guidance on separation due to the abolition of posts or staff reduction. They will retain their fixed-term entitlements but will not hold a lien to their abolished post. For other scenarios where a Temporary Assignment may be possible, please refer to Additional guidance on IP to IP temporary assignments after completion of the full TOD.pdf (accessible to UNICEF personnel only).

The conditions of a temporary assignment, including relocation entitlements, will depend on the status of the staff member’s original appointment and may be limited in accordance with applicable UNICEF policies, procedures, and practices in force.

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.