Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN headquarters in Africa and the Director-General of UNON is the representative of the Secretary-General in Kenya. UNON supports programme implementation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and the Resident Coordination System (RCS) globally, as well as other UN offices in Kenya, by providing administrative, security, conference and information services (www.unon.org). This position is located at the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON). The Chief of Design and Construction reports to the Principal Programme Management Officer, for the UNON Conference Facilities Project (CFP) Division of Administrative Services, UNON. The incumbent will be responsible for mainly the construction and renovations related planning and execution tasks required for the implementation of the UNON Conference Facilities Project over a 5-year period. The project will be executed in line with the established project scope and key performance indicators, which includes large-scale relocation of the existing conference functions of the organization, while ensuring business continuity of conference operations for major UN Secretariat clients including United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) running conferences at the United Nations compound in Nairobi throughout the construction and renovation period. In this context, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Co-ordinates the work carried out by the Section, including the work of consultants, contractors, other UNON services; provides programmatic/substantive reviews of the work prepared by others and claims for payment to ensure all resources are used properly in order to achieve all UNON Conference Facilities Project goals and objectives. • Formulates and implements the substantive work programme under his/her supervision. Oversees the management of the UNON Conference Facilities Project and related construction activities undertaken by the Section, including the technical aspects of acquisition management, contracting, scheduling, cost estimating, quality control and contract administration. • Ensures that programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion and co-ordinates work in the different areas within the UNON CFP project team, other UNON services and with other Departments and entities of the United Nations System, as well as with local authorities, including departments of construction, infrastructure and planning offices, fire departments as appropriate. • Leads, supervises and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility. • Provides updates to the Project Management Plan (PMP) and Project Execution Plan (PEP) for construction, site operations, project guidelines, policies, procedures and performance standards. Implements the PMP and PEP in all phases of the project. • Reviews and recommends for approval all works submitted related to construction and renovations contracts. • Supports establishment of a Lessons Learned and Best Practices log as pertains to the UNON CFP. • Ensures awareness and up to date understanding of relevant building codes and standards, technology and workplace safety, as well as best practices for persons with disabilities, during the construction and renovation phases. • Supports updates to the guidelines for the management of construction projects of the Organisation. • Signs off on Payment Applications upon completion of respective peer reviews, as per established work flows as delivered by the contractor. • Reviews and submits for final approval of the Principal Programme Management Officer, master cost breakdowns, general conditions estimate, and labor cost reports. Reviews and approves weekly and monthly project reports from project design consultants and contractors. • Supports the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, the General Assembly, and internal and external auditors, as appropriate. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Service maintain high-quality standards; that design and construction-related work products are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Sections under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. • Assists the Principal Programme Management Officer in preparing the work programme of the UNON CFP as relates to the Section, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Coordinates the preparation of the schedule and long-term planning, monitoring/control related to construction and renovation works to ensure the project is executed on schedule and within budget. • Oversees the programmatic tasks necessary for the implementation the UNON CFP, including developing, maintaining and enforcing adherence to the construction phasing and site logistics and site safety plans; liaising with UNON safety and security teams regarding the site safety plan; and administrative tasks such as evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings, evaluation of candidates and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. • Recruits staff, taking due account of geographical and gender balance. • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Service and across organizational boundaries. • Represents the UNON CFP team at meetings as required. • Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs additional tasks as and when requested.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the contracting and construction management issues, particularly codes and legal requirements preferably in the host county or a similar environment. Demonstrates ability to implement major capital projects effectively, on time and budget. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Competency in the use of relevant information technology and systems. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to work with people from various cultures and professions. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations. PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions. Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo. Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in construction management, building engineering, systems engineering, architecture, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Job - Specific Qualification

Professional certification or membership of chartered institutes is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in managing large-scale construction or renovation projects, ranging from planning, design and execution, or in overseeing and directing large-scale business relocation and rehabilitation projects is required. Experience in implementing major projects effectively, on time and on budget is required. Experience in working with executive governance boards, public sector or external audiences is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.