Construction Officer

Job Posting Organization:
UNICEF, established in 1946, operates in over 190 countries and territories with a mission to save children's lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential. The organization is committed to promoting the rights of every child and offers diverse opportunities for professional and personal development. UNICEF is known for its inclusive culture and attractive compensation and benefits package, making it a desirable workplace for individuals passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and communities worldwide.

Job Overview:
The Construction Officer position at UNICEF is crucial for providing technical support to construction activities within the country office. This role involves planning, procurement support, and monitoring construction works to ensure compliance with UNICEF's global standards, policies, and procedures. The Construction Officer will work closely with UNICEF's Programme and Operations teams to define construction interventions that meet programmatic needs and contribute to improved learning environments, safe water and sanitation systems, and strengthened healthcare services. The incumbent will also integrate key cross-cutting considerations such as disability inclusion, climate change adaptation, and environmental and social safeguards into all construction projects, ensuring that they are sustainable and resilient to climate-related risks. This position is based in Damascus and requires frequent missions to Central and Southern governorates, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and effective communication with various stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Construction Officer will be responsible for a variety of key functions, including the preparation of the annual construction workplan, collaboration with UNICEF Programmes and Operations, coordination with government counterparts, preparation of design and technical documents, support to the procurement process, and monitoring of construction projects. The role requires the incumbent to facilitate timely information sharing, consolidate and analyze project data, and prepare regular summary reports on progress, challenges, risks, and compliance to support evidence-based decision-making and effective program management. The Construction Officer will also ensure that all construction interventions are aligned with UNICEF's priorities and contribute to the overall mission of improving the lives of children and families in Syria.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, or a related field. A minimum of two years of relevant experience at national or international levels in project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance, or other directly related technical fields is required. Understanding of development and humanitarian work is essential, with emergency experience considered an advantage. Professional experience with a United Nations agency, international NGO, or other humanitarian/development organization is an asset. Additionally, experience in integrating cross-cutting priorities such as disability inclusion, climate change adaptation, and environmental and social safeguards into project design and implementation is desirable. Knowledge of energy-efficient buildings and innovative construction technologies is also a strong asset.

Educational Background:
A university degree in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, or a related field is required for this position. A master's degree in engineering or specialization in energy-efficient buildings and innovative technologies applied to the construction sector will be considered a strong asset, enhancing the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in project monitoring, site supervision, quality assurance, or other directly related technical fields. Candidates should have experience at both national and international levels, with a strong understanding of development and humanitarian work. Emergency experience is advantageous, and professional experience with a UN agency or international NGO is highly valued. The ability to integrate cross-cutting priorities into project design and implementation is also essential, along with familiarity with energy-efficient building practices and innovative construction technologies.

Languages:
Fluency in English and Arabic is mandatory for this position. Candidates should possess strong communication skills in both languages to effectively collaborate with diverse stakeholders and ensure successful project implementation. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not required.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Damascus, covering both Damascus and Rural Damascus, with frequent missions to Central and Southern governorates. UNICEF promotes a diverse and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities. The organization offers a wide range of benefits, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks, and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct incompatible with its aims and objectives, including discrimination and abuse. All selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and appointments are subject to medical clearance and visa requirements. UNICEF does not charge any processing fees during the recruitment process.