Background Information - Job-specific
Background Information - UNOPS
UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partnersโ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development. UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management and human resources.
Working with us
UNOPS offers short and long-term work opportunities in diverse and challenging environments across the globe. We are looking for creative, results-focused professionals with skills in a range of disciplines.
Diversity
With over 4,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,000 personnel recruited on behalf of UNOPS partners spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a wide range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced, diverse workforce - a strength that helps us better understand and address our partnersโ needs, and continually strive to improve our gender balance through initiatives and policies that encourage recruitment of qualified female candidates.
Work life harmonization
UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands.
UNOPS Corporate Retainer Pool
UNOPS is managing a pool of Corporate Retainers to meet the need for temporary, short-term ad-hoc support to UNOPS business units across the globe in several expertise areas identified by the HQ business units and in consultation with the regional offices. The Corporate Retainer Pool (CRP) covers a wide range of expertise areas. The CRP is coordinated by the Portfolio Support team in the Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG) however the Business Unit leading the expertise area supervises each position as relevant.
Background Information โ Job Specific
** IMPORTANT INFORMATION **
Retainer positions are not full-time positions. They constitute a contract whereby the Retainer may be requested to provide a specific output/deliverable within a specified period of time, on short notice. When holding a retainer contract, individuals may receive ad-hoc requests from the UNOPS project teams or country offices, and the quantity of requests will vary depending on the current needs. UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA. It is possible to have multiple consultancy contracts with or outside UNOPS, as long as it is declared to the UNOPS Ethics Office. Read more about the ICA retainer modality here.
****
This retainer position falls under the UNOPS Corporate retainer pool, yet the retainerโs services will be primarily used by the Design Review team in Infrastructure and Project Management Group (IPMG). The Design Review team will be responsible for the technical onboarding and supervision of the Senior Civil Engineer (Retainer).
The functions/responsibilities/key results of this job description are generic and may not always be applicable, nor be comprehensive, for all missions under this job title. The specific tasks and deliverables for each retainer assignment may vary and will be detailed in the terms of reference developed for each assignment. Under this contract type, assignments may vary in scope and duration - ranging from short term assignments of a few hours at a time to longer blocks of time (e.g. several weeks or months full time, and up to a year). Work may also vary with regards to the time zone / location. Whilst most assignments can be delivered working from home, some may require presence in HQ and/or international travel on occasion, including to remote or post-conflict environments, subject to the incumbentโs agreement. Whilst the successful incumbent can be based in different time-zones, s/he should be able and willing to ensure a degree of time overlap with the teams ordering the retainerโs services. Assignments (reviews) for the Design Review team typically range from 16 working hours to 32 working hours each and can be performed home-based (no travel required).
All corporate retainers are invited to participate in a one-hour induction session (or two 30 minute sessions) where they are guided through relevant UNOPS tools, the retainer contract modality and their expertise area in the UNOPS context.
While the contract modality for this Vacancy Announcement is an ICA retainer contract on project or assignment basis, UNOPS may offer on a need basis a full-time employment for a specified consecutive period of time (up to one year maximum) - with the possibility to go back and forth between the two contract modalities, pending acceptance of the incumbent of the assignments proposed to him/her. Functional Responsibilities
The home-based Senior Mechanical Engineer will be responsible for the provision of engineering services to IPMG work streams, country offices, and project teams. The scope of these services will be defined with each request for services and may include technical review, design, and guidance.
The Senior Mechanical Engineer will play a key role in ensuring the safety, functionality and quality of UNOPS infrastructure works. On a request basis from IPMG and country offices, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will be expected to fulfill the following responsibilities in line with industry standards and applicable national and international codes and guidelines:
1. Technical review of design documentation:
Review mechanical design drawings, technical specifications, and BOQs in terms of accuracy and suitability to overall design requirements, identifying aspects where designs do not comply with minimum codes and standards and IPMG policies, and providing practical guidance for design improvement.
2. Support to design development:
Applying technical expertise and professional experience, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will support projects by providing guidance in the development of designs to achieve technical objectives.
3. Application of professional judgment:
To ensure the safety, functionality and fitness of infrastructure while recognizing the circumstances and constraints of the UNOPS operational context, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will be required to apply professional judgment in the application of relevant codes, standards, and IPMG policies.
4. Independence, integrity, and objectivity:
In the performance of professional services, the Senior Mechanical Engineer will act as an independent technical expert, free of conflicts of interests, and must be able to maintain the integrity of his/her technical opinion.
5. Monitoring and Progress Control:
The Senior Mechanical Engineer will regularly monitor task progress to ensure timely completion and adherence to quality standards. The Senior Mechanical Engineer will report progress accurately and on schedule.
Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education:
Experience:
Required experience
A minimum of 7 (or more depending on academic credentials) years of progressively responsible experience in mechanical engineering is required. The above experience should include at least 1 year experience in design and calculations of complex mechanical systems
Desired experience
Understanding of and experience with health care, and tuberculous (TB) treatment facilities, strong knowledge of industrial equipment, water/wastewater pumping and treatment systems, and heating/cooling systems, particularly in the design and installation of HVAC systems is highly desired Understanding of and experience in applications of mechanical engineering design within a developing country context is highly desired. Knowledge of sustainable and resilient approaches to mechanical engineering and green technologies, including wind technologies is an asset Knowledge/experience of electromechanical interfaces with mechanical technologies highlighted above is an asset
Language Requirements:
Fluency and proficiency in English is required. Fluency and proficiency in Portuguese and/or Spanish is required.
Certifications:
Membership of a Professional Institution at Chartered / Professional Eng / Eur Ing or similar is an asset.
Other:
Please attach a cover letter highlighting the experience, knowledge and qualifications relevant for the position. Competencies
Develops and implements sustainable business strategies, thinks long term and externally in order to positively shape the organization. Anticipates and perceives the impact and implications of future decisions and activities on other parts of the organization.(for levels IICA-2, IICA-3, LICA Specialist- 10, LICA Specialist-11, NOC, NOD, P3, P4 and above) Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles. Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role). Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries. Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements. Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving. Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground. Contract type, level and duration
Contract type: ICA, Retainer
Contract level: IICA 3 (ISC11)
Contract duration: One year renewable, subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and organizational requirements
A retainer ICA will specify a unit price (e.g. amount per day actually worked). For budgetary purposes, a monetary limit will be specified at the time the ICA is awarded and issued.
UNOPS shall have no obligation to obtain any minimum quantity of Services from the Individual Contractor during the duration of the retainer ICA.
Payment will be made only after completion of assignments (if any) or reaching agreed milestones.
A retainer ICA does not accord any exclusivity to the Individual Contractor with respect to the Service For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.