Mission and objectives

Under Resolution 2677 (2023), the Security Council determined that the situation in South Sudan continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region. The Council extended the UNMISS mandate until 15 March 2024. It also emphasized that the Mission should continue advancing its three-year strategic vision defined in resolution 2567 (2021) to prevent a return to civil war, build durable peace and support inclusive, accountable governance as well as free, fair and peaceful elections in accordance with the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, UNMISS is therefore authorized to use all necessary means to implement its mandate which includes: (a) Protection of civilians (b) Creating conditions conducive to the delivery of humanitarian assistance (c) Supporting the Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement and the Peace Process (d) Monitoring, investigating, and reporting on violations of humanitarian and human rights law The overall ceiling for uniformed personnel is maintained at 17,000 troops and 2,101 police, including 88 corrections officers. Please refer to https://unmiss.unmissions.org/mandate for more information.

Context

The Engineering Section provides mission-wide operational support in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS, from now on UNMISS or Mission). Report directly to the Chief of the Engineering Operation Unit, Engineering HQ in Tomping, where the incumbent will oversee all civil engineering and Structural-related activities.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Engineering Operations Unit, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Apply commonly used engineering calculations, practices, and precedents in computing structural analysis and design of buildings, bunkers, towers, road pavements, bridges, airfields, helipads, warehouses, aviation hangers, docks, hydraulic structures, retaining walls, underground water tanks, overhead water tanks, structures for conventional water and wastewater treatment plants and other related structures. • Calculate pressures, loads, deflections, bending moments, and shear forces, select appropriate materials, and produce a design manually in Excel or using structural analysis and design software such as STAAD Pro, SAFE, ETABS, RAM Connection, PROKON, or similar applications. • Ensure the structural designs comply with building codes of practice, regulations, and industry standards. Stay updated on local, national, and international building codes to ensure that structures meet safety and performance requirements. • Provide technical advice on safe designs and construction; inspect facilities and infrastructures to evaluate their conditions, compliance, structural integrity, and geotechnical analysis to design foundations. • Prepare BOQ, cost estimates, structural drawings, Statement of Works (SOW), technical specifications, and bidding documents for in-house and outsourced engineering projects using Auto CAD, Excel sheets, and other engineering tools, techniques, and software. • Conduct frequent site inspections to monitor construction progress, verify adherence to design specifications, identify any issues or deviations from the plans to ensure structural integrity and safety, and perform quality control checks on materials, construction methods, and workmanship. • Conduct Technical Evaluation of Bids and prepare Technical Evaluation Reports for projects. • Develop technical data regarding materials, sizes, dimensions, quantities, and costs to be incorporated in formal specifications. Prepare estimating and costing of the construction and repair works of buildings, facilities, and systems to determine the feasibility of repairs or replacement. • Liaise with other engineers, architects, and mission specialists responsible for related specialized phases to arrive at mutually satisfactory approaches to problems by exchanging and comparing data. • Conduct investigations and research to develop improved methods, innovative solutions, smart designs, and construction techniques. • Analyze project proposals to ensure technical feasibility and that project objectives are attainable within prescribed resources. • Identify all routine engineering operational requirements within the Engineering Section; prepare, implement, and control appropriate methods to address them. This ensures optimal utilization of available resources to provide engineering project management support to Mission clients and Field Locations. • Monitor, review, and coordinate project design and construction in engineering operations, work with field engineers in project management, and report all ongoing mission priority projects within the mission. • Practice project management and documentation to ensure accurate records are made, and proper project documentation is in place. • Provide coaching, mentoring and on-the-job training to national personnel. • Perform other duties of a similar nature or level as instructed by the line manager when and as required. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and actively participating in UNV activities (for instance, events marking International Volunteer Day). • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and local forms of volunteerism in the host country. • Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action they undertake, including participation in ongoing reflection activities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc. • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote capacity development activities and transfer of skills to national personnel during the assignment; • Promote or advise local groups in online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever possible. • Can perform the UN protocol on environmental health and safety in the workplace and camp.

Competencies and values

• Integrity and professionalism • Accountability • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Communication • Flexibility, adaptability, and ability and willingness to operate independently • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

Living conditions and remarks

Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba. All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non – family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict. Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care. The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.