Mission and objectives

Founded in 1946, UNICEF promotes the rights and welfare of all girls, boys, and adolescents in everything we do. Guided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other international frameworks, UNICEF works to put the rights and well-being of the most disadvantaged children at the heart of social, political, and economic agendas. The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programmes, advocacy, and operations. The equity strategy emphasizes the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families.

Context

UNICEF was established in 1946 and is mandated to promote the rights and welfare of children worldwide. The Vanuatu field office works to ensure that all children have access to safe, inclusive, and resilient learning environments, especially in the face of frequent natural disasters such as cyclones and earthquakes. This UNV assignment is part of the Climate-Resilient Sheltering Schools (CRSS) Project, funded by the European Union (EU), DFAT, and MDAT. The project aims to rehabilitate and reinforce educational infrastructure to withstand future disasters, ensuring continuity of education for children in affected provinces. The Construction Specialist will support planning and implementation of school rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts in Malampa, Penama, and Efate, in close collaboration with government entities, local communities, contractors, and international donors. More information about UNICEF’s work in Vanuatu can be found at: https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/ In addition to duty station specific vaccine requirements, appointments 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 appointment. It does not apply to UN Volunteers 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 contracts. UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for UN Volunteers 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 recruitment process and afterwards in your assignment.

Task Description

The Construction Officer will oversee and coordinate education infrastructure projects, ensuring quality, timeliness, and compliance with UNICEF's sustainability and resilience principles. A key focus of this role is supporting the rehabilitation of damaged schools (earthquake and climate related) and strengthening infrastructure resilience to safeguard against future natural disasters. This includes adapting construction techniques to local materials, bringing innovative solutions and enabling community engagement in the works. Construction Planning and Coordination • Develop and collect data for the annual construction work plan, including ongoing and planned projects. • Conduct feasibility studies and site assessments for school rehabilitation. • Ensure alignment of construction activities with UNICEF programmatic needs and operational plans. Preparation of Construction Annual Workplan • Prepare and collect information required for the annual work plan on regular activities, ongoing projects, and others in the pipeline; determine priorities/targets and performance measurements and monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards. Collaboration and Stakeholder Coordination • Provide technical assistance to UNICEF Programme/Operations sections regarding construction management. • Coordinate with government entities, contractors, and community stakeholders to facilitate smooth project execution. • Attend technical meetings, prepare presentations, and document project progress; undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring. Preparation of Design and Technical Documents • Draft the scope of construction works based on Programme/Operations requirements, budget, and site limitations; define deliverables and payment modality. • Apply UNICEF norms and standards (child-friendly, accessibility, MOSS, MORSS, etc.) to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment, traditional construction techniques and available materials. • Check technical documents related to construction (design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities); verify whether they are clear, complete and compliant to programmatic and construction needs, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; undertake the actions required to endorse these technical documents by Ministry of Education. • Follow up with engineering firms and government entities to obtain all permits required for construction activities before initiating works. Procurement Support • Prepare tender documents in relation to construction works and engineering services, facilitating the engagement of local builders; attend bidders' conference and present the technical components of the tender; draft answers on technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering. • Support Supply section in organizing bidders' conference and site visits; participate in the evaluation of technical proposals received and draft technical recommendation; if needed, provide support to Supply section on the analysis of financial proposals. • Assist Supply section in preparation of CRC submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities. • Maintain and update a shortlist of qualified construction firms and engineering service providers. Project Monitoring and Compliance • Participate in the kick-off meeting of construction works with the construction company, the engineering firm and relevant government counterparts • Conduct regular site visits and technical meetings to ensure compliance with project specifications and safety standards. • Use monitoring tools to track construction progress, quality, and contractor performance. • Provide status updates to the Education and Construction specialists and UNICEF program teams. • Ensure adherence to budgetary constraints and implementation timelines. • Follow up on progress for each activity per milestone and review site supervision reports to ensure compliance with norms, standards, and timelines. • Use effective monitoring and supervision tools to assess works quality, progress, and performance of engineering firms and construction companies. • Certify payments/variations and compile supporting documents. • Monitor construction expenditures and progress certificates, maintaining relevant tracking tables for each construction activity. • Assist UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, and applying liquidated damages. • Compile and archive project documents, minutes, correspondence, and instructions. • Participate in the partial, substantial, and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all defects during the DLP. • Prepare Contract Performance Evaluation; provide assistance to UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract close-out in VISION; draft the final completion report with the lessons learned.

Competencies and values

Accountability, Adaptability and flexibility, Creativity, Judgement and decision-making, Planning and organising, Professionalism, Self-management and Community engagement awareness

Living conditions and remarks

General Overview: Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands in the South Pacific, with most of the population living in rural areas. The capital, Port Vila, is the main hub for international arrivals, services, and expatriate accommodation. The country is renowned for its natural beauty, vibrant Melanesian culture, and friendly communities, but faces significant challenges due to frequent natural disasters, limited infrastructure, and variable access to services. Security Situation: Vanuatu is generally peaceful, with low rates of violent crime. Petty crime (such as theft and burglaries) can occur, especially in urban areas and during holidays. UN staff and volunteers are advised to exercise caution at night, secure valuables, and follow local guidance. Climate: Vanuatu has a tropical climate with a long rainy season (December–April, cyclone season) and a cooler, drier period (May–November). Temperatures range from 20–32°C (68–90°F). Cyclones and earthquakes are common, and volunteers must be prepared for sudden weather changes and infrastructure disruptions. Cultural Awareness: Vanuatu is culturally diverse, with over 100 languages spoken. The concept of “kastom” (traditional law and customs) is central to daily life. Dress is generally modest; light, loose-fitting clothing is recommended. Social interactions are respectful and community-oriented. Alcohol is available but should be consumed responsibly and in accordance with local customs. Availability of Food, Water, Electricity: Local markets offer fresh produce, fish, and basic staples. Imported foods are available in supermarkets but are expensive. Water is generally safe in urban areas but should be boiled or bottled in rural locations or after cyclones. Electricity is available in urban centers, but outages are frequent during storms. Medical Facilities: Medical facilities are limited. Vila Central Hospital in Port Vila is the main referral hospital, with smaller clinics and hospitals on other islands. Serious medical conditions may require evacuation to Australia or New Zealand. Pharmacies are available in urban centers but may be inadequately stocked; bring essential medications. Vanuatu is a unique country and UNICEF’s operation here offers an enriching and rewarding environment. However, living and working in Vanuatu requires a mature level of cultural awareness, flexibility, and resilience. Volunteers must be prepared to adapt to challenging conditions, including physical hardship, limited comfort, and frequent disruptions due to natural disasters. The ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions are essential for a successful assignment.