Construction Specialist (P-3), TA (9 months), #136335, Qamishli - Syria, MENA

Organizational Context

UNICEF operates in over 190 countries, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them fulfill their potential. We are committed to promoting the rights of every child, offering diverse opportunities for professional and personal development in a passionate and inclusive culture.

Job Purpose

This role supports UNICEF Syria's construction projects aimed at restoring and improving critical public service infrastructure in Education, WASH, and Health sectors, following the protracted crisis. The objective is to contribute to the continuity, recovery, and resilience of basic services, thereby enhancing learning environments, water and sanitation systems, and primary healthcare delivery. The position is crucial for ensuring that construction interventions align with UNICEF's mandate and cross-cutting priorities, including disability inclusion, climate change adaptation, and environmental and social safeguards, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes for children.

Responsibilities

The Construction Specialist reports to the Construction Manager, overseeing and supervising construction works at the field office level under national oversight. Key responsibilities include coordinating field teams and contractors, ensuring systematic monitoring and reporting of construction activities, and reviewing/validating technical documentation, work progress, payment requests, variation orders, and claims for compliance. The role supports national engineering procurement processes, including technical and financial screening and due diligence of bidders, ensuring projects adhere to UNICEF global standards for quality, efficiency, sustainability, and value for money. The specialist also assists the Construction Manager in consolidating project data from field offices, analyzing progress, challenges, and risks to support evidence-based decision-making. Furthermore, all construction interventions must integrate UNICEF's cross-cutting priorities: disability inclusion and universal accessibility, climate change adaptation and environmental sustainability, and Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS). Collaboration with UNICEF Programme/Operations is essential to define construction interventions that meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in project management, site supervision, quality assurance, or related technical fields at national and/or international levels. Understanding of development and humanitarian work is required.

Skills

Quality assurance, Public procurement, Risk management, Building standards, Technical documentation, Construction project management, Site supervision, Contract compliance, Financial screening, Due diligence, Data analysis, Reporting

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