Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Engineering Support Section (ESS), Sourcing Support Service (SSS), in the Logistics Division (LD), Office of Supply Chain Management (OSCM), Department of Operational Support (DOS) at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters in New York. The Department of Operational Support was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the Secretariat, including other departments, offices-away-from headquarters, field missions, and regional commissions.

The Office of Supply Chain Management includes the Office of the Assistant Secretary-General for Supply Chain Management, Logistics Division, Procurement Division, Uniformed Capabilities Support Division, Global Service Centre and the Enabling and Outreach Service. The Logistics Division performs a central role in the implementation of end-to-end supply chain management across the United Nations operations. The Division provides direction and advice on logistical matters, monitors and assesses the delivery of strategic transportation and support services, and directs the delivery of transportation and specialist support services in the functional areas of air transport, ground transport, engineering, medical and supply, inclusive of fuel, rations, and general supplies and security equipment.

The incumbent will report to the Chief of ESS.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Engineer will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Analyzes and advises on the planning, design, construction and maintenance of electrical, mechanical water/sanitation and other civil engineering infrastructure for major systems and facilities such as buildings roads, bridges, airfields, helipads, railways, docks, waste disposal systems, flood control systems, water treatment facilities, and related structures and other engineering activities in the field needed for the logistics support of peace-keeping and other United Nations field missions.

• Provides general engineering policy guidance, technical support and specialist advice on the complex, multi-faceted civilian and military engineering support activities, such as vertical and horizontal construction projects, buildings management activities, technical services including maintenance, repair and rehabilitation programmes, engineering contracts such as specialized support services, and the acquisition of engineering/construction related equipment goods and related assets.

• Evaluates, reviews and revises project documents, and technical proposals for electrical, mechanical and water/sanitation goods/services and conducts pre-award inspections.

• Recommends solutions to and oversees the development of technical statements of requirements (SoR) for electrical, mechanical and water/sanitation engineering goods and services that are required for competitive tender with the goal of maintaining readiness to meet future support requirements.

• Conducts technical studies on engineering topics, developing guidelines for the general planning and maintenance of programs, and facilities and serves as Technical Expert on relevant Category Management Teams under the business area of facilities and infrastructure with the view of developing relevant strategies. Periodically reviews strategies in relevant engineering areas with the view to identify areas for improvement.

• Keeps abreast, through relevant engineering literature, of significant trends and the development of improved methods and equipment.

• Leads team efforts in studying critical problems relating to design or construction of systems and facilities. Makes recommendations for resolution of problems in specialized areas and advises Headquarters Committee on Contract on cases pertinent to electrical, mechanical and water/sanitation solicitations and contracts.

• Participates in planning missions, serving as technical adviser to committees or international meetings. Advises on the recommendations of Headquarters Committee on Contract cases pertinent to electrical, mechanical and water/sanitation solicitations and contracts.

• Serves as the focal point on the Environmental Section’s Working Groups related to Energy and Water/Sanitation.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Ability to apply engineering skills and to participate in engineering projects, including preparation of cost estimates, research of data and preparing graphs. Ability to identify and analyze engineering data of significant depth and complexity. Ability to manage complex engineering projects from conceptualization to completion. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in electrical, mechanical and/or water/sanitation engineering, or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certification in Project/Programme Management methodology by an accredited body (e.g., PMP, PGMP, PRINCE 2 Foundation Project Management certification or practitioner level) or equivalent is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in the field of electrical, mechanical, civil and/or water/wastewater engineering is required.

• Experience in the management of complex multi-disciplined engineering infrastructure projects is required.

• Experience in planning, design and implementation of engineering projects in support of the establishment, rehabilitation or sustenance of human habitation is desirable.

• Experience in developing Sourcing Solutions for engineering requirements in support of peacekeeping or related field operations is desirable.

• Experience in research and development of innovative solutions for complex engineering projects is desirable.

• Experience in the use of Power Business Intelligence (BI) or similar data analysis and visualization tool is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

• This post is financed by the Support Account. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

• Applicants from troop- and police-contributing countries who are found most suitable and recommended for selection will be given due consideration for positions in a peacekeeping operation or Headquarters support account funded positions, taking into account their contribution to United Nations peacekeeping, in accordance with General Assembly resolutions 66/265 and 67/287. For the latest list of troop- and police-contributing countries, visit the following website: https://peacekeeping.un.org/en/troop-and-police-contributors.

• Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.

• At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.