Uzbekistan nationals: Consultancy to support the management and supervision of the WASH/Health Waste Management construction and infrastructure improvement

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

Tashkent, Uzbekistan 🇺🇿

Job no: 558482
Contract type: Consultant
Duty Station: Tashkent
Level: Consultancy
Location: Uzbekistan
Categories: Health, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene)

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, make a difference.

Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
Support the management and supervision of the WASH/Health Waste Management (HWM) construction and infrastructure improvement.

Scope of Work:
UNICEF supports the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan to address the health care facilities’ immediate needs water hygiene and sanitation (WASH) needs through the construction of health care waste management (HWM) infrastructure. The project covers 11 healthcare facilities in Bayawut district of Syrdarya region, six healthcare facilities in the Termez district of Surkhandarya region and Tashkent Emergency Hospital. Additionlly, UNICEF supports WASH infrastructure improvements in 15 healthcare facilities and 10 schools of Kegeyli, Chimbay and Karaozek districts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan within its Aral Sea programming, and construction rehabilitation improvements to piloted hospitals in Andijan, Namangan and Djizzak regions.

UNICEF’s Health and Development section requires a Construction Engineer consultant to ensure compliance of works with the design documents and bill of quantities, supervise and monitor the construction progress, and timely flag any deviations between actual works and design documents. The Consultant will provide technical support in monitoring and supervision of the construction and rehabilitation of WASH/HWM infrastructure for healthcare facilities.

Under the overall guidance of Chief of Health and Development and the direct supervision of Programme Officer: Procurement Services, and WASH Officer, the Individual Consultant will support the management and supervision of the WASH/HWM construction and infrastructre improvement that complies with WHO and national standards on WASH/HWM in healthcare facilities and schools.

Additionally, the Consultant will supervise medical equipment installation with ancillary infrastructure in the targeted heatlchare facilities, contibuting to quality of infrastructure activities which will be executed by contractors. The Consultant will provide technical/operational support throughout all the stages of the project implementation to facilitate the management and delivery of results and to strengthen process that ensure efficiency, quality assurance and value for money.

The Consultant will contribute to various construction phases, including preparation and evaluation of tender documents, the management of all phases of the project design and construction work, dealing with construction and consulting firms engaged by UNICEF for this proejct. The Consultant will also contribute to achievement of concrete and sustainable program/project results according to plans, budget allocation, result based-management approaches, methodology and UNICEF’s strategic plans, standards of performance and accountability framework.

Duration of assignment: February – December 2023

Work Assignments Overview:

1. Providing technical guidance, including briefing and updates to supervisors on project related matters
2. Provide technical assistance to WASH Officer in conducting needs assessment of healthcare facilities and schools and identify target WASH project sites and develop initial scope of work in selected 15 healthcare facilities and 10 schools and Local Procurement Authorization (LPA) request to Supply Division.
3. Preparation of relevant ToRs and assisting in the preparation/evaluation of tender documents for hiring architectural design and supervision firms, in addition to construction companies to execute the works related to the WASH/HWM in healthcare facilities projects, installation of medical equipment at targeted healthcare facilities
4. Review of the design documents proposed by the hired architectural design firms for the WASH/HWM projects, and other infrastructure upgrade and renovation projects, and verification of the respective BoQs
5. Supervise and provide guidance/ instructions to Local Construction Engineers in Surkhandarya region and the Republic of Karakalpakstan in project design and construction works phases on quality assurance of implemented construction projects.
6. Preparation of relevant documents and conditions for construction WASH/HWM facilities and initiation of construction and renovation
7. Close coordination with the hired supervision consulting firms, monitoring the progress of work carried out by the construction firms for ongoing activities
8. Coordinating with consulting firms and with construction firms to monitor the work progress at all sites and to ensure quality construction work
9. Monitoring and supervision of the construction work related to the WASH/HWM in healthcare facilities by checking:
– The layout of WASH/HWM structures and their reinforcement elements before starting with concrete work
– The work related to foundations, columns and beams
– The quality of construction material used
– Plumbing, water and sewage networks, water reservoirs and septic tanks
– Electrical works
– And other parts of scheduled work as per technical documents
10. Coordinating with Operations section for processing the payments to the contractors and consulting firms and for additional related contractual terms and conditions
11. Preparing monthly updates/reports for the ongoing/completed activities under WASH/HWM projects
12. Participating in coordination meetings with donors and Government counterparts
13. To verify the completeness of WASH/HWM infrastructure upgrades at project sites and ensure quality of construction work
14. Providing necessary technical assistance to the Government counterparts during the construction of the WASH/HWM facilities
15. Reporting to the supervisor on the carried-out activities
16. Perform other tasks as deemed necessary and requested by Supervisor

Deliverables and Timeline: 

1. Updates on the ongoing activities are provided daily and during weekly section meetings – 10 days.
2. Initial Scope of Work for 25 WASH project sites (15 HCFs and 10 schools) prepared and submitted – 15 days.
Inputs on scope of work for LPA request form provided.
3. ToRs drafted, approved and tender documents prepared and published. Tenders evaluated and contracts with design and construction companies are awarded and signed – 10 days.
4. Design reviewed, discussed and BoQs approved by UNICEF before proceeding with tender for selection of construction firm – 10 days
5. Bi-weekly meetings conducted with Local Construction Engineers and necessary guidance/instructions provided on construction projects – 10 days.
Periodic reports from Local Construction Engineers on technical supervision of construction works reviewed and recommendations provided.
Letters of Notification, Warning letters and documents related to Acts of Acceptances prepared and timely delivered to construction companies.
6. 1) Letters to state construction agencies responsible for supervision of construction – 10 days
    2) Name and details of construction displayed at each site
7. Weekly coordination meetings are held with hired architectural firms for design and supervision – 10 days
8. Weekly progress meeting is held between consultant, architectural supervision firms and contractor – 24 days
9. Regular monitoring visits carried out to the project locations as per Travel Plan enclosed hereto. Reports for all construction sites are received from supervision firms and validated by the Consultant – 60 days
10. All submitted payments are reviewed and processed in due time – 5 days
11. Monthly progress report for both projects are prepared and shared with supervisor for approval – 10 days
12. Updates on the progress of works are reflected during joint meetings – 10 days
13. 1) Verification statement for construction materials and quality of services based on BoQ for piloted project sites – 10 days
      2) Monitoring checklist with recommendations on improvement of construction process/materials
14. Clarifications are given to the MoH and MoPE upon request – 10 days
15. Monthly report including the above-mentioned tasks is prepared and submitted to supervisor for approval – 10 days

Total: 219 days

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

  1. University degree in one of the disciplines relevant to the following areas: civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant technical areas.
  2. More than 5 years of experience in construction supervision and contract management.
  3. Knowledge and experience of construction buildings for healthcare needs.
  4. Knowledge of local construction standards and skills. Knowledge of materials, methods and appropriate tools to construct WASH/MWM facilities will be an asset.
  5. Knowledge of UN procurement procedures and tender preparation/evaluation.
  6. Fluency of Russian and Uzbek language.
  7. Knowledge of English is an asset.

According to UNICEF policy, the final fees will be set up based on the “best value for money” principle. Consultants will be asked to stipulate all-inclusive fees, including lump sum travel and subsistence costs, as applicable.
Payment of professional fees will be based on submission of agreed deliverables. UNICEF reserves the right to withhold payment in case the deliverables submitted are not up to the required standard or in case of delays in submitting the deliverables on the part of the consultant.

The travel plan reflects minimum number of travels to the project sites based on which the individual should calculate the budget for the trips and include into price proposal in a separate line. In the event if number of travels will be more than planned, the incumbent will be required to obtain approval from supervisor and claim reimbursement upon presentment of trip report, hotel receipt and air/rail/roadway receipts.

For every Child, you demonstrate… 

UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS). 

 To view our competency framework, please visit  here

 UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.

UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants/individual contractors with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment. 

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 be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check. 

Remarks:  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process. 

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws. 

The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully-vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts. 

Advertised: 09 Jan 2023 West Asia Standard Time
Deadline: 20 Jan 2023 West Asia Standard Time


POSITION TYPE

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