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ยBackground
Uzbekistanโs schools in some remote and rural areas have outdated and inadequate facilities, particularly for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), heating and electricity. Major infrastructural gaps are affecting the education results of existing schools, including lack of functioning of WASH facilities, unreliable access to electricity and heating systems, and limited availability of functioning canteens for preparing hot school meals. Climate change is expected to exacerbate challenges by disrupting water availability, compromising water quality, and affecting infrastructure functionality.
The joint programme of UNDP and UNICEF โModelling climate resilience and WASH in schoolsโ with the Ministry of Pre-school and Education, Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan aligns with the 2030 Agendaโs pledge to \"leave no one behind,\" strongly focusing on adolescent girls through gender-responsive and inclusive climate-resilient WASH programming. The Programme is to be funded by the Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund (Uzbekistan Vision 2030 Fund).
The programme aims to enhance access of children and adolescents in the most affected schools to equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments and enhance the education system to better plan, deliver, and maintain school environments by:
- modelling climate resilience and WASH in schools to create equitable, inclusive, and climate-resilient learning environments;
The proposed intervention drives transformational impact by elevating the entire education sector. By establishing a relevant frameworks and standard principles for future climate-resilient WASH, heating and energy efficiency standards implementation, the Programme sets a new standard for educational infrastructure in Uzbekistan. These will serve as role models informing the building and renovation of schools nationwide with a focus on efficiency, modernity, equity and sustainability for improved student outcomes.
The programme contributes to national policy implementation and capacity building by working closely with the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and other government agencies as well as local authorities in support of the implementation of the Clean Hands Programme.
The programme aims to uphold the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework principles including leaving no one behind, a human rights-based approach, gender equality and women's empowerment, resilience, sustainability, and accountability. Through data-driven decision-making and community engagement, the programme will pinpoint exclusion factors and tailor interventions that meet the needs of children disproportionately affected by the lack of inclusive WASH services, including children with disabilities.ย
The programme aims to uphold the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework principles including leaving no one behind, a human rights-based approach, gender equality and women's empowerment, resilience, sustainability, and accountability. Through data-driven decision-making and community engagement, the programme will pinpoint exclusion factors and tailor interventions that meet the needs of children disproportionately affected by the lack of inclusive WASH services, including children with disabilities.ย
Under the overall guidance of the Programme ย Manager and in line with UNDPโs policies and procedures (POPP), the Coordinator on construction will be supporting the programme and be responsible for the activities related on the renovation of 45 public schools (potentially up to 50), with a strong focus on climate change adaptation, energy efficiency, water conservation, and accessibility for people with disabilities. The scope of work includes leading technical site assessments and energy audits, and preparing climate-resilient, gender-responsive, and inclusive designs in compliance with national construction norms and standards. The Coordinator on Construction will oversee the supervision of construction works, coordinate technical inspections and commissioning in collaboration with relevant oversight bodies and independent energy auditors, and ensure the effective implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities with the active involvement of Community Initiative Groups, NGOs, in line with UNDPโs quality assurance and results-based management principles.
Duties and Responsibilities
Coordinator on Constructionย is expected to perform the following tasks:
Ensure effective programme planning and implementation
Ensure the implementation of programme activities and delivery of results responding to the needs and experiences of both women and men, in accordance with the Programme document, work plans. Contribute to preparation of annual, quarterly, and detailed implementation work plans, and other related documents to ensure timely commencement and execution of component activities.ย Provide technical assistance in terms of civil engineering requirements during the contracting, implementation, supervision, and monitoring stages of the planned works. In line with the programme document, work with all relevant partners to efficiently organize the planned activities including the field visits to the regions/districts where the schools will be supported. Be a technical knowledge staff on the different new technologies and approaches on the WASH, heating and energy efficiency systems for considering their usage within the programme activities. Support partners responsible for technical supervision in planning activities within the partner ย organization, ensuring alignment with project documents and UNDPโs programmatic priorities and goals, and in compliance with the national rules and regulations.Oversee construction quality assurance and monitor and report on progress.
Monitor the quality of materials, workmanship, and adherence to safety protocols throughout the construction phase. Regularly review construction progress, address issues or deviations promptly, and facilitate necessary modifications. Maintain detailed records of all construction activities, including photographs, drawings, and test results. Provide regular progress reports to the project stakeholders, highlighting issues, deviations, or safety concerns. Ensure construction and installation works follow the work schedule and prepare necessary data for reporting to the donor. Collaborate with technical supervision to ensure executive documentation is present at facilities, including quality certificates for materials used, work execution logs, etc. Participate in biweekly meetings with UNDP and other stakeholders to discuss progress, technical matters, and delays. Take measures to prevent and eliminate defects and propose efficient use of available resources. Contribute to the preparation of technical documentation and assist in preparing monthly/annual progress reports. Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality and womenโs empowerment considerations in the field of expertise, promote a safe and discrimination-free environment, and use gender-responsive communications in line with UNDP corporate standards.Contribute to knowledge management and information sharing
Identify and document best practices and lessons learned in construction management and civil engineering related to infrastructure recovery projects. Contribute to knowledge networks, experience-sharing, and public events in construction management and civil engineering within recovery projects. Participate in training for the programme personnel to support professional growth through active learning.The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.
Institutional Arrangement
The Coordinator on Constructionย will work under direct supervision of the Programme manager and overall guidance of the ECA Cluster Lead and Programme Analyst on Climate Change.
Competencies
Achieve Results:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.ย Learn Continuously:ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.ย Act with Determination:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner:ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.ยCross-Functional & Technical Competencies
Business Direction and Strategy
Entrepreneurial Thinking:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Identify and seize opportunities to service and add value to clients, create clarity around UNDP value proposition to beneficiaries and partners, develop clear service offers responding to client needs in line with UNDPโs organizational priorities and mandate. System Thinking:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system. Negotiation and Influence:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create โwin-winโ situations.Business Management
Communication:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Ability to communicate in a clear, concise and unambiguous manner both through written and verbal communication; to tailor messages and choose communication methods depending on the audience.ย Ability to manage communications internally and externally, through media, social media and other appropriate channels.2030 Agenda: Planet
Climate:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Climate Change Adaptation: Water Resource Management and Access to Water2030 Agenda: People
Gender:ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Gender Equality and Institutional TransformationProcurement
Supplier/relationship management:ย ย ย ย ย ย Knowledge of supplier management concepts, principles and methods, and ability to apply this to strategic and/or practical situations.Required Skills and Experience
Education:
Advanced university degree (masterโs degree or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Public Management/Administration or other related fields is required; or A first-level university degree (bachelorโs degree) in the areas mentioned above in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of masterโs degree.Experience:
Applicants with a masterโs degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field of study are not required to have professional work experience. Applicants with a bachelorโs degree (or equivalent) are required to have a minimum of two (2) years of relevant professional experience, at the national or international level, in designing and/or managing civil engineering, economic infrastructure, or urban development/renewal projects/programmes, or in other related areas is required.ยDesired Skills:
Experience and sound knowledge of civil engineering and modern construction technology. Experience in Environment, understanding of any kind of possible impact of man-made threats on the sub-station and its surroundings. Experience with and excellent knowledge of technical specifications and performance schedules of construction and installation works. Experience with and knowledge of quality control procedures. Familiarity with national legislation, norms and standards related to construction works, including critical infrastructures. Excellent usage of computers and office software packages, including engineering design software. Experience in the field of engineering supervisionย Experience in civil engineering, with a focus on designing, monitoring civil engineering projects, and/or protective structures, and/or economic infrastructure. Prior experience with UN Agencies, International Organizations or in projects financed by international donors in the field of engineering and on other technical issues. Experience working with local partners at the national and municipal level in the international development context.Required Languages:
Fluency inย Uzbek andย English is required.Desired Languages:
Good command in Russian is desirable.Equal opportunity
As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.ย
UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.
Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority
UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.ย
Right to select multiple candidates
UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.ย We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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