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?
UNICEF Uganda is seeking the services of a National WASH Consultant. The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical supervision, quality assurance, monitoring and certification of works for UNICEF supported WASH activities in schools and health centres. The consultant will provide support to construction activities related to WASH undertaken by UNICEF, for projects either directly contracted by UNICEF or projects implemented in partnership with NGOs/CBOs.
Background :
Access to safe water in Karamoja region remains below the national average with the worst districts of Amudat and Nakapiripirit having 49 per cent and 64 per cent for access and 75 per cent and 73 per cent for functionality (SPR 2017), compared to the national average of 70 per cent and 85 per cent respectively (SPR 2017). Similarly, the coverage of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools in the region lags behind the national standard of pupil stance ratio 40:1. 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.
UNICEF Uganda, therefore, plans to support construction of WASH facilities in schools to create an enabling environment for improvement in quality of education in primary and secondary schools in Karamoja region. It is expected that this will contribute to improved health of school going children, increased enrollment, retention and performance of school going children and adolescent girls.
Additionally, UNICEF aims to contribute to the reduction of maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality in Karamoja 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 plans to undertake WASH improvements in Health facility. This will include repairs, upgrades and/or construction of WASH facility in selected health centers.
To address inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene in Karamoja sub-region, UNICEF partnered with the Korean Government (KOICA) to construct WASH facilities in selected schools and health centers. In order to provide quality assurance of WASH construction, identify and report on timely basis issues with quality or timeliness of construction, UNICEF Uganda will hire services of a Construction Engineer. Given the multi-year funding for WASH works in Karamoja region, there is a possibility of the contract renewal beyond the proposed 11-month period.
Scope of work :
To work closely with supply and WASH team in Kampala and zonal office as well as concerned district local government and non-governmental actors in the field to expedite the implementation of the construction activities.
This may includ :
- Development of site plans in consultation with schoolteachers, 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 :
- Work closely with the target school and health facility heads and develop school and health facility WASH improvement plans 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 (BOQs)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 ;
- Liaise with DLGs 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 BOQs ;
- Document project results, experiences, lessons learned and best practices so that they can be referred to and disseminated as needed ;
- Support the supervisor in contract management/n compliance with signed contract between UNICEF and the construction agency, including any dispute resolution arising during the contract validity period. Prepare justification note for extension of contract if deemed necessary and contract amendments in conformity with conditions of contract. Consultant will be expected to 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 ;
- Carry out sustainability checks of WASH facilities constructed in 2018 and 2019 (primarily in Karamoja region and outside as needed) and suggest appropriate remedial measures ;
- Any other activities or any additional related tasks as requested by UNICEF.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
The consultancy is open to national professionals.
1. Education (knowledge) : Master’s degree in civil engineering /Architecture, or any other relevant field ;
2. Experience and skills :
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- 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.
3. Skills and abilities :
- 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.
4. Desirable :
- Understanding of issues and challenges in the areas of WASH in institutions and communities ;
- Understanding of the UN procedures.
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 Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
The competencies required for this post are….
View our competency framework at : 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.