WASH & Solar Construction Consultant
Organizational Context
UNICEF operates in over 190 countries and territories, dedicated to saving children's lives, defending their rights, and helping them reach their full potential. We are committed, passionate, and proud of our work, viewing the promotion of children's rights not just as a job but as a calling. UNICEF offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development.
Job Purpose
The WASH & Solar Construction Consultant will provide on-the-ground technical expertise to support the effective implementation of inclusive, gender- and disability-responsive, climate-resilient WASH in Schools, menstrual hygiene management, and related infrastructure interventions in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. This role is crucial for ensuring that infrastructure and services are timely, functional, sustainable, and aligned with agreed standards under the WINSPIRE and REnew Pacific programmes. The consultant will be responsible for technical design review, planning, construction supervision, monitoring, quality assurance, coordination, and capacity strengthening, with extensive travel to outer islands required.
Responsibilities
The consultant will support technical design, planning, and costing of climate-resilient WASH facilities and solar electrification systems for schools, including developing designs, Bills of Quantities, and specifications. They will assist in mobilization and implementation planning, addressing logistics, material sourcing, site verification, and risk mitigation, particularly for outer-island operations. The role involves undertaking routine construction supervision and technical oversight, monitoring contractor compliance, inspecting works, tracking defects, certifying progress, and validating payments. Furthermore, the consultant will support monitoring, reporting, and quality assurance, maintaining progress records, site reports, and conducting final inspections for handover. A key aspect is linking infrastructure improvements with school WASH and menstrual hygiene activities, ensuring functionality and establishing operation and maintenance systems. The consultant will coordinate with UNICEF, contractors, the Public School System, Ministry of Public Works, National Energy Authority, and atoll administrations, providing mentoring and strengthening local capacity for sustainable operation and maintenance.
Work Experience
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in delivering WASH or construction-related programs in communities or schools, preferably in the North Pacific, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or Small Island Developing States.
Skills
Stakeholder engagement and partnership building, Excellent written and verbal communication, Report writing and presentation skills, Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, High cultural sensitivity, Effective work in diverse and cross-cultural settings, Teamwork with limited supervision, Conflict resolution, Consensus-building, Adaptability to changing environments, Crisis situation management, Focus on deliverables