Contracts Manager (Construction) P-4, Fixed-term # 116951 – Copenhagen, Denmark

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, an Education

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Strategic office context:

UNICEF Offices engage in construction to address programmatic needs and to establish or expand its operations. UNICEF normative and support function on construction sits in Supply Division, through its Construction Unit. The objective of the Contracts Manager – P4 (Construction) is to reinforce, lead and manage the strategic direction of Supply Division’s normative construction role to work with other parts of UNICEF in achieving the strategic Goals through leveraging the programmatic impact of construction activities.  This position is imbedded in the Contracting Center in Supply Division, and reports to the Chief of Contracting Center. One Contracts Specialist – P-3 and one Contracts Officer – P-2 report to this position.

How can you make a difference?

This position is responsible for leading the Construction Unit to pursue the strategic approach for the Construction unit and construction in UNICEF.

This approach focuses on establishing and rolling out guidance for planning, organizing and contracting that support the global strategic goals and programmes. In particular, focus on sustainability, localization , emergency preparedness and response, and climate action and resilience. This includes wholistic considerations for expanded solar, digital and connectivity agendas supporting learning and health programmes for children and their communities.

You will be accountable for: 

Management of the Construction Unit

• Provide clear directions and objectives to the Construction Unit and its staff, based on Organizational strategy and policy.
• Maintain a healthy, respectful, safe and secure work environment that complies with United Nations Security Management System (UNSMS) provisions for the duty station.
• Ensure completion of PERs of staff reporting to this post, an annual career conversation with each staff, and the recording of learning actions in their development plan.

Drive the normative construction workstreams to support strategic programme outcomes.

• Work with other UNICEF divisions and external partners to develop an ambitious strategy of leveraging construction to change for the future.
• Direct the construction unit activity plan in support of the global strategies for programmatic impact.
• Direct the teams review and guidance to countries on the project portfolio reviews (LPAs)

Provide technical support on specific construction projects to offices globally and guide towards sustainable approaches. Lead the unit to;

• Review high profile construction projects shared by offices to advise and provide guidance on using sustainable and green solutions for design and construction.
• Provide technical support to Center Chief for discussions with Divisions and Sections on aspects related to planning, procurement, partnerships and execution of construction projects.
• Lead support engagement (often in conjunction with the legal office) on construction associated with serious reputational risks, claims and litigations.
• Explore the possibility and feasibility of engaging in sustainable and strategic construction projects implemented by UNICEF globally.

Establish and norms, guidance, tools and knowledge retention that improve the quality of construction in UNICEF and focus on programmatic impact and sustainability.

• Expand guidance and advice to offices engaged in construction to ensure that their projects provide positive, effective and safe environment for children.
• Ensure performance specifications of different infrastructures are available for offices to comply with while preparing project designs and implementing their construction activities.
• Explore, guide and promote the utilization of renewable energy sources in specific education facilities that serve digital education.
• In collaboration with the technical teams in Supply Division and PG support development and implementation of solar strategy by establishing guidance and tools on electrification components for construction.
• Enhance guidance and tools on green/sustainable construction are in place to guide office engineers on applying the key principles of sustainability to their construction activities.
• Scale-up best practices experienced by COs for different construction activities. Roll out a communication and knowledge sharing strategy to support the efforts.
• Continue to develop training opportunities for construction colleagues; advance the UNICEF construction community for knowledge sharing, growth, talent and career development to both meet UNICEFs needs in a timely and quality manner.

Networking and partnership:

• Build and sustain close working relationship with UNICEF Divisions and Sections on issues related to construction. Including to explore the possibility and appropriate modality of introducing and expanding youth and community engagement in construction for sustainability, as part of wider programmatic skill-building and engagement efforts.
• Actively explore and expand work with other divisions and inter-agency efforts to most efficiently, collaboratively and effectively pursue the UNICEF sustainable construction agenda, while ensuring that UNICEF’s position, interests and priorities are fully considered and integrated.

Any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.

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

Education

• An advanced university degree 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

• Minimum eight years of professional work experience including at least three years of professional experience at the international level, with a focus on leading strategy development, managing people, project portfolios and contract management, oversight, supervision and monitoring, and stakeholder management of construction projects; of which at least 5 years in developing countries.

Experience in the following technical fields is a strong asset:

• Public procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction projects.
• Building construction industry for low and middle-income countries;
• Construction in urban and rural settings;
• Participatory planning and implementation on construction;
• Planning and delivery of capacity building activities;
• Providing institutional support. Developing normative guidance.

Languages

• Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) 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: https://uni.cf/UNICEFValues

 The core competencies required for this post are:

• Nurtures, Leads and Manages People (1)
• 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)

Functional Competencies:

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Analysing
• Relating and Networking
• Deciding and Initiating Actions
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Planning and Organizing
• Following Instructions and Procedures

During the recruitment process, we test candidates following the competency framework. Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels: competency framework here.

UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF strongly encourages the use of flexible working arrangements. 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. 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.  

Remarks:

UNICEF only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed at: http://www.whed.net/

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station, which will be facilitated by UNICEF, is required for IP positions. Appointments are also subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Government employees that are considered for employment with UNICEF are normally required to resign from their government 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.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.