Individual Consultancy: To Provide Technical Advice About Plan Monitor and Supervise all Ongoing Construction Projects

Purpose of Activity/Assignment

To provide technical advice about, plan, monitor and supervise all ongoing construction projects in Sofala provinces and beyond.

Scope of Work

Under the guidance and supervision of the UNICEF Construction Specialist based in Maputo and Chief of Field Office, the consultant will provide technical advice on conformity with the approved construction designs, bills of quantities (BoQ)/drawings, and quality construction materials; elaborating on documentation and conducting tender processes; monitoring the progress of construction; perform quality control inspections; provide independent assessment for certification of completed works in Sofala and Manica province based in Beira Field Office. The key purpose of the position is to provide the Section technical guidance and capacity in the activities of school resilient construction/rehabilitation and WASH facilities.  Ensure that all construction and rehabilitation work implemented directly or indirectly by UNICEF shall be in line with the organization’s commitment toward Building Back Better strategy and Inclusive Education.

• Provide on-site monitoring of construction works including WASH facilities and evaluate the quality of construction works upon completion or at certain milestone process and make recommendation for payments to be made to contractors and supervision firms. Ensure government’s endorsement and certification to all the constructed facilities.
• Review and approve the weekly and monthly progress reports submitted by Supervision Firms.
• Undertake field visits to UNICEF construction project sites for the participation in, or observation of project activities and local conditions. Prepares routine reports on results of visits and project progress
• Undertake in coordination with UNICEF Field Office arrangements for field visits to construction project sites for local government and other partners, which include providing information and briefing on project activities and status
• Develop/review the design, BoQ and workplan for construction/rehabilitation activities including the premises of the field office in coordination with program sections and ensure technical specifications and contractors’ works meet the needs and requirements of beneficiaries
• Prepare construction progress updates for the different purposes advised by the Field office and Education Section that could be included in briefing notes to donors or on annual and other reports, as required by UNICEF CO and Education Section.
• Review and evaluate the technical, institutional and financial feasibility, constraints of the project and monitor compliance to ensure objectives and targets are achieved.
• Ensure detailed records are kept contributing to the preparation of official reports, including the donor reports, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress.
• Scope of Work: The National Construction/Civil Engineer shall provide technical advice about, plan, monitor and supervise all ongoing construction projects in Sofala provinces and beyond.

Key tasks of the job include:

• Close coordination and communication with stakeholders (Contractors, Supervision Firms and Government Construction Unit).
• Monitoring of construction sites to control quality of work in terms of design, specifications and material as per BoQ; Provide necessary technical assistance to supervision and contractor’s engineers.
• Participate in weekly meetings with Supervision and Contractor to discuss the progress, address critical issues and undertake corrective measures accordingly.
• Review and approve the weekly and monthly reports submitted by Supervision Firms.  Identify problems and constraints and take necessary actions upon discussion with the contractors and supervision firms
• Review and approve the payment request submitted by Contractors and Supervision Firms.
• Keep all Work Plans (Programs of Work) updated as a tool to monitor Progress of construction work.
• Attend Education in Emergencies, Education Section and Beira Field Office regular meetings. Support UNICEF staff Field Missions to construction sites and Donor´s visits and reports.
• The engineer should report on progress on weekly/monthly basis.

Terms of Reference or Work Assignment

• Provide on-site monitoring of construction works including WASH facilities and evaluate the quality of construction works upon completion or at certain milestone process and make recommendation for payments to be made to contractors and supervision firms. Ensure government’s endorsement and certification to all the constructed facilities.
• Review and approve the weekly and monthly progress reports submitted by Supervision Firms.
• Undertake field visits to UNICEF construction project sites for the participation in, or observation of project activities and local conditions. Prepares routine reports on results of visits and project progress.
• Undertake in coordination with UNICEF Field Office arrangements for field visits to construction project sites for local government and other partners, which include providing information and briefing on project activities and status.
• Develop/review the design, BoQ and workplan for construction/rehabilitation activities including the premises of the field office in coordination with program sections and ensure technical specifications and contractors’ works meet the needs and requirements of beneficiaries.
• Prepare construction progress updates for the different purposes advised by the Field office and Education Section that could be included in briefing notes to donors or on annual and other reports, as required by UNICEF CO and Education Section.
• Review and evaluate the technical, institutional and financial feasibility, constraints of the project and monitor compliance to ensure objectives and targets are achieved.
• Ensure detailed records are kept contributing to the preparation of official reports, including the donor reports, enabling real-time tracking of construction progress.

Qualifications

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have:

• Bachelors degree.
• Architecture and Civil engineering.

Knowledge/Expertise/Skills required:

• Minimum of three years of professional work experience in construction.
• Work experience in public building construction processes and projects, especially schools, with knowledge of procurement, supervision, management, programming and planning of works.
• Familiarity with requirement and process on procurement in the context of Mozambique in general and construction works in particular.
• Work experience with MINEDH and DPEs, NGOs and private companies on construction works
• Knowledge of housing/public building construction and reconstruction especially in flood, cyclone, earthquake and drought-prone areas.
• Familiarity with disaster risk reduction construction works and resilient infrastructures; ideally in school reconstruction and/or education in emergencies.
• Exposure to and work experience in small towns and rural areas, including public consultations, community involvement and the capacity to deal with local community representatives and builders. Ability to conduct assessment, surveys, interviews and technical training on the ground.
• Proficiency using relevant software (Excel, Word, Powerpoint), and medium technical expertise in using GIS application, 3D Modeling programs, CADs and ArcGIS.
• Fluency in English and Portuguese is required.