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, protection

Girls and boys are equally affected by offences against children (NBS, 2021a). On average, about 250 children (up to 15 years old) are being interrogated on annual basis as victims or witnesses of crimes. Services for those children are slowly developing in the country since the Barnahus model of support services has been introduced in Moldova. The Government adopted the General Framework Regulation and the Quality Standards for the establishment of the Regional Center for integrated assistance of child witnesses/ victims of crime in December 2019.

In accordance with this Government Decision (hereinafter “the GD”), there will be three regional Centers, in the North, Center, and South of the country. With the technical support of UNICEF, the first Barnahus service for children from the north of the Republic of Moldova (Balti) was set up by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (MLSP) in March 2022, and it is run by an NGO. Two additional Barnahus facilities need to be set up for the central (Chisinau) and southern (Cahul) regions of the country. Also, to harmonise the procedures from both banks of the Nistru River, one additional service will be created in Tiraspol for the children from the Transnistrian region.

UNICEF will support the development of the three abovementioned additional Barnahus facilities for integrated services for child victims and witnesses of crimes. Technical support will include: infrastructure development or identification, refurbishment based on specialized assessments, equipment procurement, regulatory framework/SOPs amendment and development, and capacity building of relevant staff.

How can you make a difference? 

1. Purpose and objectives of the assignment

The individual consultant will be responsible for facilitating the implementation of construction and/or refurbishment works for Barnahus-type services, including:

1. Preparation of construction work plan
2. Provide technical support to UNICEF, CPAs, LPAs, and other programme partners
3. Development of design and technical documents
4. Provide technical support to the procurement process
5. Monitoring and conducting quality assurance activities of construction projects

2. Details of how the work should be delivered

Preparation of construction work plan for Barnahus in Cahul, Tiraspol and Chisinau

• develop the work plan for the construction/ refurbishment activities for each of the Barnahus premises;
• prepare and conduct site visits, determine priorities/ targets and performance measurements;
• develop/ contribute to the development of the needs assessments and if necessary, feasibility assessments;
• review the work plans of each of the contractors and ensure modifications to ensure practical implementation of the works;
• monitor work progress to ensure that results are achieved according to schedule and performance standards.

Collaboration and technical support to UNICEF, CPAs, LPAs, and other programme partners

• provide technical support and information in matters of construction project management to UNICEF;
• provide assistance to UNICEF and partners to develop construction project proposals, planning, and preparation of relevant terms of reference;
• coordinate construction/ rehabilitation activities with the implementing partners;
• attend technical coordination meetings; prepare and present PPT presentations on projects’ progress;
• undertake follow-up actions in relation to project implementation and monitoring;
• collect and share updates, including periodical reports on projects’ progress, and undertake appropriate actions to overcome technical obstacles;
• follow up with government entities and subcontracted companies for obtaining all permits required for construction activities prior to initiating works;
• maintain liaison and direct communications with the contractors, sharing the updates with relevant programme staff.

Development of design and technical documents

• draft the scope of construction works, budget and site limitations; define deliverables and payments;
• apply UNICEF norms and standards to construction projects, taking into consideration the local environment and available materials;
• apply national legislation/ regional norms and standards for the construction and refurbishment works;
• ensure that any construction or refurbishment works undertaken at Barnahus-type services premises follow and are compliant with UNICEF Accessibility Toolkit requirements and UNICEF Technical Cards for Accessible Construction;
• 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, UNICEF eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements; undertake the actions required to endorse these technical documents by relevant authorities.

Provide support to the procurement process

• prepare tender documents for construction/ refurbishment works and engineering services;
• draft answers to technical questions raised by the bidders during the tendering;
• participate in the evaluation of technical proposals received, including technical drawings, specifications, and BoQs;
• ensure all technical inputs and cost estimates related to the construction/ refurbishment components are accurate, timely, and included in the project proposals and budgets;
• provide technical support in the preparation of Local Procurement Authorization (LPA) requests and Contract Review Committees (CRC) submissions with supporting documents related to construction activities.

Monitoring and quality assurance activities of construction projects

• participate in all meetings related to construction works with the construction company/ the engineering firm, and relevant government counterparts;
• provide close monitoring of construction activities by undertaking regular site visits and conducting regular technical meetings including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services;
• follow up on progress for each activity and review site supervision reports to ensure work compliance with norms, standards, and timeline; verify quality and precautions on security and safety standards on the ground;
• ensure the renovation, construction, refurbishment, and rehabilitation works, including materials quality control;
• maintain accurate written communication with subcontractors in accordance with UNICEF procedures and requirements;
• provide assistance to UNICEF on contract management, amendments, variations, duration extensions, applying liquidated damages, etc.; compile and archive project documents, minutes,
• correspondence, instructions, etc.
• ensure that the contractors achieve construction performance measures, especially those related to time, cost, quantity, and quality
• participate in the partial, substantial and final reception of works after verifying the correction of all the documents
• documentation of defects (if any) during the DLP; prepare and issue relevant certificates;
• prepare Contract Performance Evaluation; draft the final completion report, including the lessons learned.

3. Reporting requirements

The consultant will report to and have regular communication with the Child Protection Specialist. The consultant obtains any required support or guidance from the Child Protection Specialist and Child Protection Officer whenever necessary. UNICEF implementing team will provide feedback on consultant performance and support to achieve the intended objectives. The consultant will submit the weekly update and any issues related to the performance of the contractors and the quality of work.

All activities and deliverables undertaken by the consultant shall be discussed and planned in consultation with UNICEF. The consultant is expected to provide the deliverables electronically (in editable format), in English.

4. Work location and official travel involved

The consultant is expected to perform the assignment remotely and visits all Barnahus premisses for assessment and supervision/monitoring during the construction/ rehabilitation. All travel costs shall be estimated and included in the financial offer. In case of unforeseen additional travel, this will be discussed and agreed in advance with the consultant, with travel costs to be additionally covered by UNICEF.

5. Payment schedule

The payment will be made in 6 instalments, upon submission and acceptance of the deliverables stipulated in the deliverables table above, as follows:

1. Preparation of construction work plans – 15%;
2. Provide technical support to UNICEF, CPAs, LPAs, and other programme partners – 15%;
3. Development of design and technical documents – 20%;
4. Provide technical support to the procurement process – 20%;
5. Monitoring and conducting quality assurance activities of construction projects – 15%;
6. Submission of the final report narrative report with lessons learned and recommendations – 15%.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs are incomplete, not delivered for failure to meet deadlines.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have

Education:

• A university degree is required in civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture, or other relevant area.

Experience:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant experience, at the national and/or international levels, in technical projects’ assessment, design, monitoring and site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required;
• Previous experience in designing and supervising construction/ refurbishment projects (at least one project);
• Good analytical and communication skills;
• Ability to supervise and guide teams of technical staff, as well as manage and monitor the effective use of resources;
• Good knowledge and understanding of UNICEF programmes, procurement principles, financial and legal aspects of construction issues, ethics and risk management of construction projects is an asset;
• Previous experience in working with UN Agencies on a similar assignment is an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent command of oral and written Romanian necessary to interact and communicate with the LPAs and implementing institutions.
• Advanced command of written/spoken English is preferable.
• Advanced command of written/spoken Russian is an asset.

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. 

For more details on deliverables and minimum requirements, please refer to attached Terms of reference (ToR)

 TOR_National Technical Consultant Barnahus_va.docx

HOW TO APPLY: Your online application should contain the Technical Offer and Financial Offer (templates below). Please secure the Financial Proposal *.pdf document with a password on document view; the password will be requested only from technically qualified candidates.

 Technical Offer.docx

 Financial Offer.xlsx

Applications for this assignment must be received no later than: 8 June 2023

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 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. I