UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do for as long as we are needed. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.

UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for professional and personal development that will help them reinforce a sense of purpose while serving children and communities across the world. We welcome everyone who wants to belong and grow in a diverse and passionate culture, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.

Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.

For every child, the right to Access

How can you make a difference?

As a Construction Officer, you will report directly to the Chief of Field Office as per the Country Office (CO) set-up with technical supervision from the Construction Specialist P3 based in Yaounde. You will be responsible for providing technical support to construction activities of the field office level. The technical support on construction projects includes planning, support to procurement, as well as monitoring of construction works on site. You will contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the implementation of the UNICEF Cameroon construction programme and support in designing resilient classrooms and continue to lead innovation in this area, including the greening of construction. You will collaborate closely with UNICEF Programme/ Operations in defining construction interventions to meet programmatic needs and achieve results for children. You will supervise the Administrative Associate (Construction).

The incumbent will contribute to the integration of the child-friendly, eco-friendly and equitable access concepts into all construction projects under implementation and will work towards avoiding the risk of inferior quality work, non-adherence to standards and specifications and delays on the construction component of the learning and development programme. Essential to the assurance of a high quality of standard, timely completion, and effective coordination between all stakeholders the incumbent will undertake technical monitoring and oversight of all schools’ rehabilitation/ construction of inclusive secondary schools or any other renovation/construction works undertaken by UNICEF.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

1. Preparation of construction annual workplan
2. Collaboration with UNICEF Programme and coordination with Government counterparts
3. Preparation of design and technical documents
4. Support to procurement process
5. Monitoring of construction project

If you would like to know more about this position, please review the complete Job Description here:  NO1_Construction_Officer JD.pdf

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have… 

Minimum requirements

• Education: Bachelor or equivalent (First Level University Degree) in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, Engineering-Civil, Engineering-Management and any other related fields.
• Work Experience: At least 1 years of relevant work experience in Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene), Health, Project Monitoring, Site Supervision, Quality Assurance, Standards Compliance. and any other related fields.
• Skills: Strong Analytical, Negotiation, Resource Management, Team Supervision, Multicultural Collaboration, and Project Management Skills are Required. 
• Language Requirements: Fluency in French and good knowledge of English is required.

Desirables

• Language: Knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) or a local language
• Emergency Experience, Humanitarian Understanding, Development Understanding, Strategy Formulation, Policy Formulation
• Relevant experience at country level, particularly in development, fragile settings and humanitarian contexts. 

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's Core Values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust and Accountability and Sustainability (CRITAS) underpin everything we do and how we do it. Get acquainted with Our Values Charter: UNICEF Values

UNICEF competencies required for this post are…

(1) Builds and maintains partnerships

(2) Demonstrates self-awareness and ethical awareness

(3) Drive to achieve results for impact

(4) Innovates and embraces change

(5) Manages ambiguity and complexity

(6) Thinks and acts strategically

(7) Works collaboratively with others

Familiarize yourself with our competency framework and its different levels.

UNICEF promotes and advocates for the protection of the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything it does and is mandated to support the realization of the rights of every child, including those most disadvantaged, and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, minority, or any other status.

UNICEF encourages applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender, nationality, religious or ethnic backgrounds, and from people with disabilities, including neurodivergence. We offer a wide range of benefits to our staff, including paid parental leave, breastfeeding breaks and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities. UNICEF provides reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment process. If you require any accommodation, please submit your request through the accessibility email button on the UNICEF Careers webpage Accessibility | UNICEF. Should you be shortlisted, please get in touch with the recruiter directly to share further details, enabling us to make the necessary arrangements in advance.

UNICEF does not hire candidates who are married to children (persons under 18). 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 based on gender, nationality, age, race, sexual orientation, religious or ethnic background or disabilities. UNICEF is committed to promote the protection and safeguarding of all children. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles. 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, and selected candidates with disabilities may be requested to submit supporting documentation in relation to their disability confidentially.

UNICEF appointments are subject to medical clearance.  Issuance of a visa by the host country of the duty station is required for IP positions and will be facilitated by UNICEF. Appointments may also be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid). Should you be selected for a position with UNICEF, you either must be inoculated as required or receive a medical exemption from the relevant department of the UN. Otherwise, the selection will be canceled.

Deadline: 30 Jun 2026 W. Central Africa Standard Time