UNICEF recruits 01 National WASH consultant on engineering and construction

Consultancy – National WASH consultant on engineering and construction, Mbarara for 11.5 months

Job Number: 530494 | Vacancy Link

Locations: Africa: Uganda

Work Type : Consultancy

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, a fair chance

Uganda is one of the over 190 countries and territories around the world where we work to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination place in a child’s path. Together with the Government of Uganda and partners we work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals, the objectives of the Uganda National Development Plan, and the planned outcomes of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework.

Visit this link for more information on Uganda Country Office https://www.unicef.org/uganda/

How can you make a difference?

Under the direct supervision of the WASH Specialist in Mbarara with technical guidance of the WASH manager based in Kampala. The consultant will receive general guidance from the CSD team leaders and Chief of zonal Office Gulu. S/he will maintain a close working relationship with the District engineers in the respective districts.

The Consultant will provide overall supervision, quality assurance, monitoring and certification of works for UNICEF supported WASH activities in schools and health centres. The consultant will provide similar support to other construction activities undertaken by UNICEF, whether under projects directly contracted by UNICEF or projects implemented in partnership with NGOs.

Background:

In 2029 the national safe water coverage in rural areas was estimated at 69%. The functionality for rural water supplies has stagnated at 85% since 2018.The situation is worse for some districts in Western Uganda where basic water coverage is below 50%. For instance, Kyegegwa (35%), Kakumiro (34%), Kisoro 43% and Isingiro (45%). National sanitation coverage stands at 77.2%.

Similarly, the coverage of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in the region lags behind the national standard of pupil stance ratio 40:1, Yet, proper water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure and services in schools are critical to ensure a healthy environment where all children can reach their educational potential. The degree of impact that safe water, sanitation, and hygiene has on a child’s school performance is profound.

UNICEF Uganda therefore is going to support construction of WASH facilities in schools so that we are able to create an enabling environment in primary and secondary schools in the Western region. It is expected that this will result into improved health, increased enrollment, retention and performance among school age going children and adolescent girls.

Additionally, UNICEF aims to contribute to the reduction of maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in the western region by increasing access to an integrated package for quality health services that strengthens the continuum of care from the community to the health facility. In support of this objective UNICEF will undertake WASH improvements as part of wider quality of care improvement efforts. UNICEF will support WASH facilities improvements consisting of repairs, upgrades and/or construction of hardware, in selected health centers.

The Western region is hosting a number of refugees and this is causing pressure on existing WASH services. Therefore, UNICEF plans to support construction of WASH facilities in schools, health facilities and communities in selected refugee hosting districts as well as other districts.

Basing on the above, UNICEF received funding from the Netherlands and Denmark government to construct WASH facilities in schools and health centers. However, the implementation of this component has suffered delays. After consultation with the Supply section it has been agreed that we will need to urgently hire the services of a Construction Engineer to guide and supervise the construction. Given the likelihood of multi – year funding for the WASH projects, an SSA consultancy is preferred. But with possibility of contract renewal depending on funding availability.

 KEY TASKS:

To work closely with supply and WASH team in Kampala and zonal office with concerned district local government and non-governmental actors in the field to expedite the implementation of the construction activities. This may include;

Development of site plans in consultation with School teachers, communities, Health officials   (as appropriate), Bills of quantities and design and drawings of WASH facilities  and other supportive documents to procure works in line with projects objectives and tasks;

Preparation of solicitation documents, evaluation of bids/proposals, adjudication of contracts, all in line with UNICEF procedure for construction;

Assessment of the capacity of private contractor to undertake construction projects, including their capacity to procure services and works; Participation in the contractor selection process (as needed);

Supervise construction work and provide technical guidance to contracts.co-ordination including meetings with implementing partners and other stakeholders.

Certify the quality of works ensuring adherence to standards as per the Bill of Quantities

Specific Tasks

 Working closely with the target school and Health Facility heads and develop School and Health Facility WASH improvement Plan and that will include operation and maintenance framework for WASH facility.

Translate the WASH and Health Facility Development Plan into engineering plan/layouts, Bill of Quantities and specifications in line with the donor proposal/national guidelines.

Work closely with respective District engineer and water officer and monitor  construction work  and support contract management at the individual sites., This will require working as part of the site management team liaising with and working alongside contractors’ project manager, supervisors and sub-contractors, and regular site supervision on each of the site during actual construction.

Liase with respective DLG to ensure the project activities are implemented in accordance with agreed upon specifications, drawings and BOQs. Ensure satisfactory completion of the work to the standards normally expected and/or agreed upon with UNICEF and ensure compliance with UNICEF rules, regulations and standards for construction projects.

Prepare fortnightly updates of the progress to UNICEF and Provide regular updates to the District technical officers (engineer, water officer, health officer and education officer) on the progress of the construction work.

Provide oversight including quality checks and certification of all major construction materials, ensure quality of workmanship and carry out certification of claims through regular supervision in a timely manner.  In case of any variations needed; prepare variation document and share with UNICEF (Zonal office and Kampala office) for further processing in timely manner .. The Consultant will be required to keep all normal site management records, including daily dairies, test results and variations and will hand over to UNICEF on monthly basis and at the end of the contract of the consultant

Provide technical guidance to the concerned government agencies, contractors and non- governmental service providers in order to achieve practical yet low cost structures/outputs/results within the stipulated time lines and to provide training to schools and Health facility level management committee members  so as to develop their skills for related site construction and operation and maintenance in order to ensure sustainability. The consultant will need to provide professional guidance and support to the responsible entity (such as School Management Committee in schools and Health Management committee in the Health Facility) and or members of the community throughout the construction work to achieve an acceptable hand over.

Prepare handover documentation in the prescribed format and facilitate handover of completed WASH facility to the School/Health facility in charge in liaison with the District officials/others as advised by the Supervisor.

 Ensure that the requisite certification for verifying disbursements of the contractors as per the contract document agreed between UNICEF and the Construction Contractors are carried out within 3 days and not later than five working days.

The consultant will prepare and submit all relevant documentation, including site meeting reports, weekly construction progress reports, monthly progress reports, specific reports, site instructions, inspection reports, monthly work plan and all notable events that affect or could affect implementation. Site handover documents for each site from the contractor. Keep a record of GPS co-ordinates and contacts for all institutions and communities supported.

Inspect and ensure the quality of materials used and work performed complies with contract specifications, drawings and Bills of quantities (BOQs).

Document project results, experiences, lessons learned and best practices so that they can be referred to and disseminated as needed.

Advise and prepare justification for extension or amendment of contract if deemed necessary in conformity with conditions of contract.

Issue certificates for works within five working days for eligibility of disbursement as per the schedule of payment to the Construction agency.

Carry out supervision of ongoing construction works initiated in 2019 and visit schools, health facilities and communities where construction was completed in 2019 for checking functionality and provide technical guidance to the users/management committee members for improved sustainability of WASH systems. (UNICEF will provide the list of completed, ongoing and the new locations where WASH systems were/are being/will be provided.

Work with the contracting agency and ensure that the contractors provide photo documentation of structures at critical stages (to the minimum i) at completion of foundation ii) reinforcement of foundation, columns and roofing iii) pipeline trenching iv) pipeline laying; and any others as advised by the Supervisor.  Document the progress made, and lessons learnt.

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

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering /Architecture, or other relevant field; Master’s degree will be considered as an advantage;

At least 5 years of relevant working experience in the field of community and institutional WASH infrastructures;

At least 3 years of experience in designing and managing civil engineering and construction projects;

Experience of working with relevant stakeholders from the governmental and non-governmental institutions involved into IDPs and recovery issues at the national and sub-national levels;

Familiarity with UNICEF bidding procedures for procurement of civil works and services will be considered as advantage;

Excellent communication, leadership and interpersonal skills

Knowledge of English is mandatory.

Computer literacy especially with Excel and database management is required.

Proven skills in strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

Excellent written and oral communication skills;

Effective organizational skills; high drive for results;

High commitment;

Teamwork and strong interpersonal and intercultural skills;

Computer literacy especially with Excel and database management is required.

Understanding of issues and challenges in the areas of WASH in institutions and communities.

Understanding of the UN procedures

Understanding of the Donor policy and projects

Application Procedure/Call for Proposals

Interested candidates are required to submit a technical proposal on how they intend to approach the work. The proposal should include a timeline, and methodology, based on the Terms of Reference. The proposal must also include detailed CV of the consultant, as well as a financial proposal, clearly indicating daily rate for professional fees. The financial proposal must be all-inclusive of all costs (consultancy fees and where applicable air fares, airport transfers, daily living expenses).  This is an international level consultancy and competitive market rates should apply.

Evaluation of Candidate:

The consultant will be competitively selected from a list of applicants based on their past experience of doing similar work (extensive experience in writing donor reports, in compiling and editing annual reports for various UNICEF offices).

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

The competencies required for this post are….

View our competency framework at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

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 also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

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

Closing Date Fri Mar 20 2020 21:55:00 GMT+0100 (Paris, Madrid)