WASH Officer (Construction), NOB, FT, #128698, Port Sudan – Sudan, MENA (Subject to Classification)

The WASH officer (construction) is accountable for the accomplishment of stated key end-results for children by providing professional expertise and assistance in advocating for an environment whereby relevant data {spatial/GlS, non-spatial tabular, statistical, etc.) can be brought to a structure that supports the efficient management of data and information in the context of UNICEF Sudan WASH portfolio and improving the quality of design documents in the absence of such capacity at national and sub-national level under the current reality.

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. 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 personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

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

For every child, Care

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to protect the rights of every child. UNICEF has spent 70 years working to improve the lives of children and their families. Defending children’s rights throughout their lives requires a global presence, aiming to produce results and understand their effects. UNICEF believes all children have a right to survive, thrive and fulfill their potential to the benefit of a better world.

UNICEF is implementing rehabilitation/maintenance projects of Water, sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in coordination with State Water Corporation and WES authorities. Since April 2023, the capacity of State level partners to provide the required technical engineering support with regard to design, BoQ, Cost estimates and drawings of standard water, sanitation and hygiene facilities is severely affected. The ongoing humanitarian response and the expected reconstruction phase in the immediate future requires having a strong engineering expertise in the UNICEF WASH section to

Therefore, UNICEF will require expertise of national civil engineer to coordinate and oversee all the rehabilitation and maintenance related WASH activities in the country as this portfolio is scaling up significantly and working through government specialized technical department (Eg WES) has become a challenge under the current operational environment. UNICEF is outsourcing WASH related construction activities directly to private sector providers and in some cases uses CSOs. In both cases, there is a capacity gap to ascertain the quality of design documents, specifications, cost estimate and adherence to standards. In few occasions UNICEF supported WASH infrastructure works were observed to have a quality concern. To mitigate this challenge and address the risk of losing the trust of donors, the WASH officer (construction) post is recommended in the new staffing structure.

Overall follow up, site monitoring and reporting of the rehabilitation and maintenance works on behalf of UNICEF implemented by UNICEF subcontracted companies. Additionally, Supervise and provide guidance to the Third-party engineers deployed to project sites for quality monitoring in various part of Sudan.

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the Urban WASH Manager (P4), the WASH Officer (construction) will be responsible to coordinate and oversee all the rehabilitation and maintenance related WASH activities in the country as this portfolio is scaling up significantly and working through government specialized technical department (Eg WES) has become a challenge under the current operational environment.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

• Supervise and manage work of rehabilitation and prefabricated classrooms installation (timeline, quality, cost) in the different areas.
• In coordination with WASH technical teams and sector/cluster members support on preparing and recommending required civil/structural and architectural technical project designs assessments, Terms of References (ToRs), Scope of Work (SOW), Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and technical specifications, drawing in line with WASH standards/norms.
• Ensure that all the payments and financial dues of contraction works are managed and processed.
• Construction and rehabilitation projects are developed and implemented according to the organization polices and guidelines;
• Ensure that effective quality control systems are in place and contractors and engineering consultancy companies work in compliance with technical specifications and quality standards;
• Support the Supply section in all tender exercises for the procurement of construction and consultancy services;
• Prepare progress, final and handover project reports and maintain the required records;
• Coordinate all the technical work with the related stakeholders including relevant ministries (education, water, health etc);
• Compile, update, and report relevant projects data using appropriate HPM and agreed tools;
• Review and provide feedback to the reports issued by the Third-Party Monitoring monitors;
• Submit progress reports to direct supervisor and programme team as required; Support the resource mobilization efforts of UNICEF.

For more details please check the JD:  TOR – WASH Officer (Construction), NOB, FT, #128698, Port Sudan – Sudan, MENA (Subject to Classification).pdf

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

The following minimum requirements:

• Education: Advanced engineering degree in civil, sanitary, building or architecture engineering (BSc level or higher).

• Work Experience: Minimum of 2 years’ experience in civil work projects including construction projects and finishing works. Preferred experience as project manager.

• Language Requirements: Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

The following desirables:

• Developing country work experience and/or familiarity with emergency.
• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language.

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.

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

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 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. UNICEF is committed to promoting the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will 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.

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 Candidates are encouraged to apply.

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/”

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

The VA is open to all (internal and external candidates).

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 shall not facilitate the issuance of a visa and working authorization for candidates under consideration for positions at the national officer and general service category.]

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.

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.