Voluntary Construction Officer (Based in Kiribati)
Job Description
The role requires specialised knowledge, experience and familiarity with the Pacific and Kiribati context.
** Deadline to apply is 25 February 2026 **
We are looking for candidates from the Pacific region. The role requires specialised knowledge, experience and familiarity with the Pacific and Kiribati context.
Host entity
UNICEF
Assignment country
Kiribati
Duty stations
Kiritimati
Work location
UN Premises
Expected start date
02/03/2026
Duration
9 months (with possibility of extension)
Modality
Onsite
Type
International
Volunteer category
Specialist
Work arrangement
Full-time
Number of Assignments
1
Context
In the Pacific, UNICEF operates in 14 island countries: the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. These countries collectively comprise more than 660 islands and atolls spread across approximately 17.2 million square kilometres of the Pacific Ocean—an area comparable in size to the United States and Canada combined. Together, they are home to approximately 2.3 million people, including around 1.2 million children and young people.
Kiribati is classified as a fragile context under the World Bank and OECD criteria and faces persistent development challenges, compounded by geographic isolation, climate change, water scarcity and sanitation vulnerabilities.
Access to safe sanitation remains a critical public health and child well-being priority in Kiribati, particularly in Kiritimati, Teraina and Tabuaeran, where large-scale household toilet construction is underway under the leadership of the Ministry of Line and Phoenix Islands Development (MLPID), with support from UNICEF. While significant progress has been made, 2026 has been identified as a key year to achieve full sanitation coverage for households, schools and health-care facilities on Kiritimati, and to complete WASH construction in five schools and four health-care facilities in Teraina and Tabuaeran.
Under the overall guidance of the Construction Engineer, routine quality assurance and on-site supervision are required at multiple stages of construction in Teraina and Tabuaeran. However, due to the number and geographic spread of construction sites, it is not feasible for the Construction Engineer and WASH staff based in Kiritimati, Tarawa and Suva to provide regular field monitoring and technical oversight for all projects.
The Construction Officer position is therefore proposed to support quality assurance for WASH construction works and to ensure compliance with national construction standards and government requirements. The role requires specialised expertise in the Pacific and Kiribati context, climate-resilient infrastructure, civil engineering principles, and infrastructure assessment, including structural design.
Task description
Under the supervision of the WASH Specialist and the Construction Engineer, or their designated representatives, the Construction Officer will:
i. Project supervision, coordination and design support
Collaborate with the UNICEF WASH Section and with Government/MLPID and island council counterparts to support construction project supervision and management. Provide technical assistance to programme sections through involvement in construction project proposals, planning and preparation of relevant terms of reference; analyse the project context and propose appropriate implementation modalities.
In collaboration with Government, island-level and community counterparts, develop and produce innovative, cost-effective and climate-resilient construction designs using locally available materials, and compile and regularly update a repository of best practices in construction and building design.
Participate in steering and technical coordination meetings, prepare presentations on project progress, and undertake site visits and follow-up actions related to project implementation and monitoring.
ii. Quality assurance and reporting
Provide the WASH Section with regular information on project quality assurance and progress, and take appropriate actions to address technical issues and constraints. Draft relevant sections of project reports, including inputs for management and annual reports, as required.
iii. Preparation of design and technical documentation
Prepare scopes of work based on programme requirements, available budgets and site constraints, and define deliverables and payment modalities. Apply UNICEF and Government norms and standards to construction projects, taking into account local environmental conditions and available materials, and determine whether compliance with green building standards is required.
Review and verify construction documentation, including design drawings, technical specifications and bills of quantities, to ensure they are clear, complete and compliant with programme requirements, construction standards, climate-resilient, eco-efficiency and accessibility requirements. Undertake the necessary actions to secure endorsement of technical documents by relevant ministries.
Follow up with design firms and relevant Government entities to obtain all permits and approvals required prior to commencement of construction works at each location.
iv. Monitoring and contract implementation of construction projects
Organise and conduct kick-off meetings with construction contractors, relevant Government counterparts, island councils and community representatives. Undertake regular site visits and conduct technical meetings, including joint monitoring with relevant Government technical services, to closely monitor construction activities.
Track progress against agreed milestones and review site supervision reports to ensure compliance with approved designs, technical specifications, standards and timelines. Verify the quality of works and the application of occupational health and safety measures on site.
Apply appropriate monitoring and supervision tools to assess the quality of works, progress, and performance of engineering firms and construction contractors throughout the project lifecycle, including a multi-layered supervision and quality assurance approach and the use of documented hold and inspection points, where applicable.
Certify payments and variations and compile all required supporting documentation. Monitor construction expenditures and progress certificates, and maintain updated tracking tables for each construction activity.
Provide technical support to the UNICEF Contract Administrator on contract management, including amendments, variations, extensions of time and the application of liquidated damages, as required. Ensure that all documentation related to contract management is complete, accurate and properly archived.
Participate in partial, substantial and final handover and acceptance of works, following verification that all defects have been corrected during the defect liability period, and prepare and issue the relevant certificates. Prepare contract performance evaluations, support contract close-out in the financial system, and prepare the final completion report, including lessons learned, for internal submission as required.
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor’s degree in Civil engineering, construction engineering, architecture or other relevant area(s).
Skills and experience
A minimum of three (3) years of relevant professional experience at the national and/or international level in project management, site supervision, quality assurance and/or other directly related technical fields is required. Experience in development and humanitarian programming is required. Experience in emergency contexts is an asset.
The role requires specialised knowledge, experience and familiarity with the Pacific and Kiribati context.
Demonstrated experience in WASH related construction projects.
Experience applying climate resilient, eco efficient, or green building standards.
Experience working in remote, isolated, or island based environments.
Strong oral communication, documentation and basic reporting skills are required.
Other required and desirable technical competencies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including strong drafting, formulation and reporting abilities;
• High level of accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with cultural and social sensitivity, and the ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a wide range of partners, including grassroots community members, faith-based and youth organisations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with communication for development approaches and tools is an asset;
• Ability to work and adapt effectively and professionally in a challenging environment, including the ability to work in multicultural teams composed of national and international personnel;
• Strong computer literacy, including proficiency in standard MS Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), email and internet use, and familiarity with basic database management and office technology;
• Self-motivation, ability to work with minimal supervision, and the ability to meet tight deadlines;
• Sound security awareness;
• Demonstrated interest in, or commitment to, the advancement of children’s rights, volunteerism as a mechanism for sustainable development, and the work of the United Nations system.
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