Construction Specialist, Construction Specialist, Lilongwe, Malawi
Company: UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
Location: Lilongwe, Malawi
Job Type: Full Time
Salary: Competitive (UN/NGO)
- General
- Description of assignment title:
- Construction
- Specialist
- Assignment country:
- Malawi
- Duty stations:
- Lilongwe
- Work location:
- On UN premises
- Expected start date:
- 07/01/2026
- Expected end date:
- 07/31/2028Long-term benefits and
- allowances
- Sustainable Development Goal:
- Good health and
- well-being
- Host entity:
- UNICEF
- Modality:
- Onsite
- Type:
- National
- Volunteer category:
- Expert UCoS from Apr2026
- Work schedule:
- Full-time
- Number of Assignments:
- 1
- Details
- Mission and objectives:
- 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.
- UNICEF Malawi Country Programme (2019-2023) is aligned with the
- Government of Malawi's Growth and Development Strategy (MDGS III)
- and the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
- The programme supports the Government of Malawi to meet its
- commitment to respect, protect and fulfil children's rights in line
- with international conventions and standards. The country programme
- is guided by the principles of children's rights, equity, gender
- equality, inclusion and resilience, and supports evidence-based,
- integrative and innovative programming. The vision is that "all
- girls and boys in Malawi especially the most disadvantaged and
- deprived, realize their rights". The programme focuses on early
- childhood (parenting, high-impact social services, early
- stimulation and learning), middle childhood and adolescence
- (learning, multi-sectoral services, active citizenship),
- communities (decentralized services and systems, community
- ownership, social norms), programme effectiveness (monitoring,
- evaluation, HACT, Innovation, Social Protection and Social Policy
- and External Communication. The programme is based on "leaving no
- child behind", realizing 'rights for all children in Malawi'.
- Context:
- UNICEF has a mandate to safeguard the rights of all children,
- everywhere. That mandate is rooted in the 1989 Convention on the
- Rights of the Child (CRC), which sets out universal and indivisible
- rights that apply to every child, and the Sustainable Development
- Goals (SDGs) adopted by world leaders in 2015, which apply to every
- country.
- This UNV assignment is part of UNICEF Malawi programming
- initiative on reducing maternal and neonatal mortality funded by
- China. One of the key components of the current project is to
- renovate delivery room and newborn corners/small and sick newborn
- ward in 20 health care facilities (17 primary health care
- facilities and 3 hospitals).
- In addition, the health section is supporting the
- implementation of rehabilitation in different health care
- facilities and solarization of primary health care facilities and
- vaccine regional depot. More infrastructure work in health care
- facilities is expected if another project will be approved in near
- future. UNICEF Malawi is also involved in improvement of climate
- resilient WASH systems in both rural communities and health care
- facilities.
- Task description:
- Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the
- Chief of Health & HIV or his/her designated mandated
- representative(s), the UN Volunteer (UNV) Construction Specialist
- will:
- Summary of key duties:
- Regularly update the work plan for construction
- activities.
- Coordinate procurement processes for required construction
- works and services.
- Support procurement processes for construction works and
- services.
- Manage construction projects and associated contracts with
- vendors.
- Perform any other related tasks as may be required or
- assigned by the supervisor.
- Regularly updating the construction work plan:
- Consolidate required infrastructure interventions for the
- Health Section, Operations, and other programme sections.
- Determine/revise performance indicators and monitor the
- progress of implementation to ensure results are achieved according
- to schedules and performance standards.
- Update the work plan regularly to incorporate emerging
- construction activities and schedules of ongoing projects.
- Collaboration with the Health Section, Operations, other
- Programme Sections, and Government Counterparts
- Provide technical advice in the planning of construction
- projects in conformance with UNICEF Supply Division guidelines and
- international best practices.
- Provide technical inputs in the development of project
- proposals and terms of reference that include construction
- components.
- Collaborate with Government counterparts in developing and
- documenting innovative, environmentally friendly, and
- cost-effective construction designs.
- Participate in relevant multi-stakeholder technical working
- groups and represent UNICEF Malawi in reporting on infrastructure
- support provided by the office and in facilitating joint planning
- and monitoring of construction.
- Preparation of technical documents for construction
- Prepare the scope of construction works and services based on
- requirements, budgets, and site limitations; define deliverables
- and payment modalities.
- Review construction technical documents (drawings, technical
- specifications, and bills of quantities); verify if the documents
- are clear, complete, and compliant with programmatic and
- construction needs, eco-efficiency, and accessibility requirements;
- undertake actions required to endorse the technical documents by
- relevant ministries.
- Follow up with the appointed third-party quality assurance
- firms and government entities for obtaining all required
- development permits.
- Support for procurement processes for construction works and
- services
- Provide technical support to the Supply Unit in the preparation
- of Local Procurement Authorization (LPA) requests and Contracts
- Review Committee (CRC) submissions with supporting documents
- related to construction activities.
- Develop terms of reference required for pre-qualifying or
- requesting proposals from eligible service providers for
- construction works and engineering services.
- Support the Supply Unit in consolidating required documents for
- the establishment of local Long-Term Arrangements for engineering
- services (design and site supervision).
- Prepare tender documents related to construction works and
- engineering services.
- Support the Supply Unit in conducting the Bidders' Conference
- (Pre-bid Meeting), presenting technical components of the tender,
- and providing answers to technical questions raised by potential
- bidders.
- Organize and coordinate site visits when required.
- Lead the evaluation of technical proposals and support the
- Supply Unit in analyzing financial proposals and documenting the
- recommendation for award.
- Support the Supply Unit in preparing cases for presentation to
- the Contract Review Committee (CRC) following the conclusion of the
- evaluation of proposals for construction works and/or engineering
- services; present and respond to all technical aspects during and
- after CRC meetings.
- Management of construction projects
- Provide close monitoring of construction activities by
- undertaking regular site visits and conducting regular technical
- meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government
- technical services.
- Follow up on the progress of construction through the review of
- weekly progress reports submitted by the third-party quality
- assurance firm.
- Ensure adherence of construction works and engineering services
- to established norms, standards, and timelines.
- Verify compliance with quality requirements and health and
- safety standards.
- Establish effective supervision tools to enable the
- identification of challenges affecting quality, time schedules, and
- cost of construction works and services.
- Review payments and proposed work variations; monitor and
- manage expenditure on construction projects and maintain relevant
- records for ease of follow-up.
- Participate in the partial, substantial, and final reception of
- works after verifying the correction of all defects during the
- Defects Liability Period (DLP) and issuing relevant
- certificates.
- Ensure the development and filing of As-Built Drawings and
- share them with relevant Government counterparts for their record
- and use when required.
- Conduct Contract Performance Evaluation.
- Provide support to the Supply Unit on contract close-out in
- VISION, preparing the final completion report and lessons learned
- for submission to the Construction Unit (Supply Division).
- Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN
- Volunteer (UNV) programme mandate within their assignment and
- promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the
- course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate part
- of their working time to some of the following suggested
- activities:
- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of
- volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and
- actively participate in UNV activities (for instance in events that
- mark International Volunteer Day);
- Become acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local
- forms of volunteerism in the host country;
- Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN
- Volunteer actions, results, and opportunities.
- Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit
- them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases,
- etc.;
- Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN
- Volunteers;
- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online
- volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and
- organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever
- technically possible.
- Results/expected outputs:
- As an active UNICEF team member, efficient, timely, responsive,
- client-friendly, and high-quality support rendered to UNICEF and
- its beneficiaries in accomplishing her/his functions,
- including:
- o Construction work plan updated at least monthly
- o Strengthened collaboration with UNICEF Programmes/Operations
- and coordination with Government counterparts
- o Design and technical documents prepared in a quality and
- timely manner
- o Supported procurement process
- o Construction projects effectively managed and monitored to
- completion
- Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically
- applied, integrated, and documented in all activities throughout
- the assignment
- A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for
- peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on
- the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in, and
- capacities developed
- Eligibility criteria
- Age:
- 18 - 80
- Required experience:
- 7 years
- Nationality:
- Candidate must be a national, legal resident
- or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
- Assignment requirements
- Relevant experience:
- 7 years
- Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Required
- Required education level:
- Master's degree in civil engineering, construction engineering,
- architecture construction management and any other related fields
- or a Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in a
- relevant area combined with 2 additional years of relevant work
- experience.
- Competencies and values:
- Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations
- relevant to UNICEF; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or
- transferrable to UNICEF procedures and rules; discretion, political
- sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to
- apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range
- of different actors, especially in senior positions; where
- appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and
- ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to
- accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently
- under established procedures; ability to manage information
- objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and
- client-oriented;
- Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the
- UN and UNICEF in daily activities and behaviours while acting
- without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political
- pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the
- organization's interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt
- action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not
- abuse power or authority;
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate
- effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent
- interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective
- partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural,
- multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect
- for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender,
- religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal
- of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full
- involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations;
- ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to
- colleagues;
- Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness
- to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of
- expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
- Planning and organizing: effective organizational and
- problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work
- in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities
- and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work
- under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple
- concurrent projects/activities;
- Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and
- written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear
- and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate
- options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend
- recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff
- (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers,
- counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse
- backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a
- wide range of different target groups;
- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in
- potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical
- hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere
- environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within
- the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations
- within the area of operations as necessary;
- Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary
- engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and
- self-reliance; and commitment towards [Insert name of Host Agency's
- mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
- Skills and experience:
- At least 5 years of professional work experience at the
- national and/or international level in project management, site
- supervision, quality assurance, and/or other directly related
- technical fields is required; humanitarian and developing country
- work experience and/or experience with the Malawi context is an
- asset, as is experience working in the United Nations (UN) or other
- international development organizations.
- Registration with the National Construction Industry Council
- (NCIC) is a mandatory requirement.
- Experience in integrating cross-cutting priorities such as
- disability inclusion, climate change adaptation, Environmental and
- Social Safeguards (ESS), and social protection considerations into
- project design and implementation is desirable.
- Experience related to energy-efficient buildings and innovative
- construction technologies is considered a strong asset.
- Experience in the use of construction management and design
- tools (e.g., AutoCAD, project planning software) and familiarity
- with international norms and standards is an advantage.
- Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting,
- formulation, and reporting skills.
- Accuracy and professionalism in document production and
- editing.
- Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially
- sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a
- range of partners, including grassroots community members,
- religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different
- levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for
- development.
- Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a
- challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a
- multicultural team of international and national personnel.
- Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in
- various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and
- email/internet; familiarity with database management and office
- technology equipment.
- Self-motivated; ability to work with minimum supervision and
- meet tight deadlines.
- Desirable: valid national driver's license and proven ability
- to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable,
- delete).
- Sound security awareness.
- Have affinity with or interest in health, education, and water,
- sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); volunteerism as a mechanism for
- durable development; and the UN System.
- Area(s) of expertise:
- Engineering and construction
- Driving license:
- Other information
- Tags
- civil engineer
- construction engineer
- engineering and construction
- procurement officer
- project manager
- Skills
- Project Management
- Procurement
- AutoCad
- English
- Communication skills
- The recruiting organization, UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund, has not specified a closing date for this vacancy or continues to list jobs after their stated closing date.
- Because such positions may remain open, they are listed here until removed from the recruiting organization's website.
- Click the button below to verify its current status.
Apply for Construction Specialist, Construction Specialist, Lilongwe, Malawi
CareerNova
Preparing…