Construction Engineer
Organizational Context
UNICEF has been dedicated to children's survival, protection, and development for 70 years, operating in 190 countries. As the largest provider of vaccines for developing nations, UNICEF supports child health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, and protection from violence. Its mission is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, with a focus on equity for the most disadvantaged. In Côte d’Ivoire, UNICEF supports the Ministry of Education in implementing compulsory basic education, including the construction and rehabilitation of schools to create child-friendly learning environments.
Job Purpose
This role supports UNICEF's efforts to accelerate progress towards universal basic education in Côte d’Ivoire by contributing to the construction and rehabilitation of schools. The Construction Engineer will provide technical expertise in designing, assessing, implementing, and monitoring construction projects, ensuring compliance with national and international standards, including those related to gender and children with disabilities. The position aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of education construction programs, support local communities in capacity building for construction, and strengthen UNICEF's role as a lead agency in these interventions. The engineer will also contribute to developing innovative and sustainable construction techniques.
Responsibilities
The Construction Engineer will be responsible for developing national standards and innovations in construction techniques, such as Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks (CSEB), recycled plastic materials, and climate-resilient designs, to support school construction and rehabilitation projects. This includes ensuring accurate project information, developing budgets, and monitoring project status with implementing partners. The role involves providing technical expertise for design, assessment, implementation, and monitoring, ensuring technical inputs and cost estimates are accurate. The engineer will analyze data, prepare progress reports, and draft work plan changes. Responsibilities also include verifying financial and administrative documentation, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring compliance with UNICEF's financial and supply policies. The position requires compiling data for knowledge sharing, maintaining effective communication with stakeholders, and collaborating with operations staff on internal controls. The engineer will liaise with other sections and partners to ensure project needs are met, coordinate on standards and costs, and prepare design and technical documents. Support will be provided to the procurement process, including tender document preparation and bid evaluation. Contract management, including amendments, variations, and performance evaluations, is also a key responsibility. The engineer will assess partner capacities, propose solutions to minimize risks, and conduct regular site visits to monitor construction progress and ensure adherence to quality standards and child-friendly design principles.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of professional work experience at the national and/or international level in project monitoring, site supervision, and quality assurance is required. Experience in education programs, working in developing countries (particularly Côte d’Ivoire), and with innovative construction materials is highly desired. Familiarity with construction project cycles, UN or international development organizations, and strong computer literacy are also beneficial.
Skills
Core competencies include self-awareness, ethical awareness, collaboration, partnership building, innovation, strategic thinking, driving results, and managing ambiguity. Functional competencies involve applying technical expertise, following procedures, analyzing, planning, organizing, and coping with pressure. Values such as care, respect, integrity, trust, accountability, and sustainability are essential. Specific technical skills in engineering and construction are required.