BACKGROUND:

The 2015 Afghanistan National Drug Use Survey (ANDUS)1 indicated that 11% of the country population (2.9 to 3.5 million people) were tested positive for narcotic drugs.  Sub-programme 3 of UNODC country Programme for Afghanistan aims at addressing drug use, drug use disorders and related HIV/AIDS and other co- morbidities as part of the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as children, adolescents, female drug users and populations in closed settings.

The non-medical use of psychoactive drugs poses considerable health risks, leading to drug use disorders, increased morbidity, mortality, and societal costs. Effectively addressing these issues through prevention, treatment, and care services is an investment in individual health and the well-being of families, communities, and nations.

PROJECT CONTEXT AND SCOPE:

There are seven Drug Treatment Centers (DTCs) in Kandahar, Helmand and Badakhshan provinces, drug treatment and rehabilitation services are being provided with financial support from the core budget of government as well as support from the donors.

The current DTCs situated in Kandahar, Badakhshan and Helmand provinces operate within suboptimal conditions, utilizing low-standard facilities. The deficiencies identified include the absence of dedicated spaces for vocational skill training programs, inadequate 24-hour electricity supply, limited WASH /hygiene facilities, and restricted access to safe drinking water. Additionally, there is a notable lack of budget allocation for the essential renovation and maintenance of these DTCs.

This proposed project aims to address these challenges comprehensively. The initiative seeks to augment existing DTCs by creating specialized rooms for vocational skills training, renovating the infrastructure, and ensuring essential amenities such as 24-hour electricity, access to safe drinking water, and improved WASH /hygiene facilities. These enhancements are envisioned to empower DTCs to deliver evidence-based and human rights-oriented drug treatment and rehabilitation services.

By upgrading the physical infrastructure and expanding the facilities, the project aims to create a more conducive environment for both service providers and individuals seeking treatment. The provision of essential amenities and equipment will ensure that DTCs can deliver services efficiently and sustainably, ultimately improving the overall quality of drug treatment services in the targeted provinces.

SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES:

Objective of the Assignment:

The purpose of this assignment is to develop overall plan & budget, design management and construction, conduct supervision, provide progress report and the final results of the expansion/construction works of selected DTCs’ infrastructure under the JICA-funded project in Kandahar, Helmand and Badakhshan provinces.

Under the overall guidance of the Representative of the UNODC Country Office for Afghanistan (COAFG) and direct supervision of Programme Officer for Drug Demand Reduction and HIV Prevention, the National Consultant (Senior Construction Management Engineer) will be based in UNODC Country Office Afghanistan in Kabul, reporting to Program Coordinator, health section and closely work with the UNODC health team and relevant entities and partners for completion of the mentioned assignment.

Summary of key functions:

Expansion of Drug Treatment Centers (DTCs) building, construction of new rooms, boundary walls and renovation in Kandahar and Hilmand provinces:

• Plan and coordinate construction/renovation activities with all partner entities and within UNODC country office Afghanistan;
• Outline and support finalization of the design requirement of the expansion/construction works, draft scope of work and budget, and submitting these documents to health section for selection of the vendor/contractor;
• Develop solicitation documents with a particular focus on the technical aspect (drawing, technical specifications and standards) and lead the assessment of the technical requirements and capacities of the offerors;
• Supervise on-site building construction and refurbishment works under the project ensuring quality of work, meeting specification requirements and standards, timeliness within budget as per the contractual provisions and design specifications of the selected vender/contractor;
• Ensuring close Coordination with construction management committee involving them in the planning and monitoring of the project progress, maintaining high level of satisfaction of relevant stakeholders and entities;
• Conducting inspection and checking for all quality related procedures in the site and making sure the activities at site are as per approved method statement and inspection test plan.
• Identify potential design and any construction deviation from the approved plan at early stages, report and provide recommendation to the team/contractor in order to resolve them effectively;
• Provide day to day management to the vendor/contractor and their field staff for ensuring effective site supervision;
• Provide comprehensive completion report endorsed by construction management committee established.

Solarization of the DTCs in Kandahar, Helmand and Badakhshan provinces:

• Coordinate finalization of the specifications and requirements for solar PVs to be installed in the DTCs in consultation with relevant technical engineer and prepare BoQ and specification for solar system;
• Facilitate selection of the vendor/contractor;
• Supervise and facilitate installation of the solar PV systems in the targeted DTCs.

Establish WASH facilities in six DTCs in Kandahar, Hilmand and Badakhshan provinces:

• Oversee the construction of toilets, rehabilitation and installation of water supply systems- digging well, water tanks, inserting water pipes, hand wash basins in selected DTCs;
• Oversee construction of two incinerators for DTCs waste management in Helmand and Kandahar;
• Ensure compliance to UN and national health safety and environmental standards on all the construction works.
• Any other construction related works which might arise during the project period.

Deliverables:

The National Consultant (Senior Construction Management Engineer) is expected to deliver the followings:

• Outline and support finalization of the design requirement of the expansion/construction works, renovation, draft scope of work and budget, and submitting these documents to health section for selection of the vendor/contractor.
• Conduct needs assessment and coordinate finalization of the specifications and requirements for solar PVs to be installed in the DTCs.
• Conduct needs assessment and coordinate finalization of the specifications and requirements for Wash facilities in targeted DTCs.

22 working days/ date TBD. Deliverable percentage 15%.

Payment: Payments under the contract shall be monthly and be made on receipt of specific milestone and including a timesheet.  The milestones shall be certified by the UNODC Programme Officer.

Deliverables:

• Develop solicitation documents with a particular focus on the technical aspect (drawing, technical specifications and standards) and lead the assessment of the technical requirements and capacities of the offerors.
• Prepare BoQ and specification for solar system.

22 working days/ date TBD. Deliverable percentage 10%.

Payment: Payments under the contract shall be on monthly based and be made on receipt of specific milestone and including a timesheet.  The milestones shall be certified by the UNODC Programme Officer.

Deliverables:

• Plan and coordinate construction/renovation activities with all partner entities and within UNODC country office Afghanistan.
• Supervise on-site building construction and refurbishment works under the project ensuring quality of work, meeting specification requirements and standards, timeliness within budget as per the contractual provisions and design specifications of the selected vender/contractor.
• Ensuring close Coordination with construction management committee involving them in the planning and monitoring of the project progress, maintaining high level of satisfaction of relevant stakeholders and entities.
• Conducting inspection and checking for all quality related procedures in the site and making sure the activities at site are as per approved method statement and inspection test plan.
• Identify potential design and any construction deviation from the approved plan at early stages, report and provide recommendation to the team/contractor in order to resolve them effectively.
• Provide day to day management to the vendor/contractor and their field staff for ensuring effective site supervision.
• Supervise and facilitate installation of the solar PV systems in the targeted DTCs.
• Oversee the construction of toilets, rehabilitation and installation of water supply systems- digging well, water tanks, inserting water pipes, hand wash basins in selected DTCs.
• Oversee construction of two incinerators for DTCs waste management in Helmand and Kandahar.

205 working days (Nine months+ one week)/Date TBD.Deliverable percentage 70%. 

Payment: Payments under the contract shall be on monthly based and be made on receipt of specific milestone and including a timesheet.  The milestones shall be certified by the UNODC Programme Officer.

Deliverables:

Provide comprehensive completion report endorsed by construction management committee established.

15 working days/date TBD. Deliverable percentage 5%. 

Payment: Payments under the contract shall be on monthly based and be made on receipt of specific milestone and including a timesheet.  The milestones shall be certified by the UNODC Programme Officer.

Academic Qualifications:

• An advanced university degree (e.g. Master) in Civil Engineering, Construction, or other related field is required. A first-level university degree (e.g. Bachelor) in the abovementioned fields in combination with five (5) additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on experience in overseeing construction activities related to the project requirements and range of diverse construction projects management experience is required;
• Thorough knowledge of the construction industry in Afghanistan;
• Work experience with UN or International NGOs in similar fields would be an added advantage.

Lanaugage:

• Good command of spoken and written English is required;  
• Excellent command of spoken and written relevant national languages (Dari/Pashto) is desirable.

Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Excellent analytical/conceptual thinking;
• Excellent interpersonal/communication and coordination skills.  

Procedures and logistics:

• The consultant will be based in UNODC COAFG with travels to the provinces;
• Transportation related to field visits should be borne by UNODC in accordance with its transport and security rules.

EVALUATION METHOD AND CRITERIA:

Individual Consultant will be evaluated based on the required competencies, skills, and knowledge related to the responsibilities mentioned in the TOR through a written assessment and interviews.

The assessment of the candidate will have the weightage:

• Technical competencies and experience - 70%
• Financial proposal 30%

The candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.  The consultant shall then submit a price proposal when requested by UNODC, in accordance with the below:

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

Submission of application: 

Interested and qualified Afghans national candidates should email their applications and CV (indicating on the subject line the vacancy number and the title of the position applied for) to

unodc-afghanistanvacancies@un.org

Please note that incomplete applications & applications received after the closing date (26-Sept-2024) will not be given consideration. 

Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.