Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS – an operational arm of the United Nations – supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by successfully implementing its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve peace and sustainable development.

UNOPS areas of expertise cover infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial management, and human resources.

Working with us

We are proud of our people. With a wealth of knowledge and skills in various disciplines – engineering, finance, human resources, ICT, leadership, project management, procurement, and more – they help tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time. Their work around the world supports progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


At UNOPS, we offer a range of short- and long-term opportunities in various environments and duty stations – from Denmark and Kenya to Mexico, Switzerland, Myanmar, Senegal, Uganda, and many more.

Diversity

With over 5,000 UNOPS personnel and approximately 7,400 personnel recruited on behalf of our partners, spread across 80 countries, our workforce represents a range of nationalities and cultures. We promote a balanced and diverse labor force — a strength that helps us better understand and address our partners’ needs. We continually strive to maintain our gender-balanced workplace. We encourage qualified underrepresented groups as per UNOPS Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy to apply for our vacancies.

Background Information - Afghanistan

Afghanistan

With more than 20 years of experience in the country, UNOPS Afghanistan focuses on providing maximum support to the people of Afghanistan through the delivery of projects and services that improve the lives of people in need. The UNOPS Afghanistan Country Office (AFCO) serves as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been designated as the implementation agency.  At present, UNOPS AFCO activities cover a range of sectors including humanitarian, basic human needs, cash for work, infrastructure, development, procurement and HR services. 

The functional objective of UNOPS AFCO is to contribute to improving the lives of girls, boys, men and women living in Afghanistan. The aim of UNOPS AFCO is to provide efficient and cost-effective implementation services on behalf of all our partners to support the humanitarian response and development of the country. UNOPS AFCO’s mission is to exceed the expectations of all stakeholders in the delivery of AFCO services, at all times, in all places, in all circumstances, in order to improve the lives of Afghans in need. 


 

Project Information

The UNFPA country office in Afghanistan owns office premises and guesthouse accommodation located within the UNOCA Compound in Kabul. As a result of significant growth in the country programme and the staff population, both the office premises and guesthouse accommodation have become inadequate.

UNFPA plans to redevelop both Office and Accommodation through construction of a new 2 storey office annex, with basement, along with remodeling and refurbishment of the existing single storey office building and construction of two new 2 storey accommodation blocks, with basement(s), along with remodeling and refurbishment of the existing 2-storey guesthouse block. 

 Functional Responsibilities

Summary of Key Functions:  

1. Coordination, delivery and performance

2. Monitoring and progress control 

3. Knowledge building and sharing

1. Coordination, delivery and performance

• Assist the Project Manager to design and develop control processes and procedures.

• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports, design specifications documents, and operational manuals.

• Assist the supervisor in reviewing, assessing, commenting/ and correcting, and recommending for approval to the project 

• Keep abreast of the latest advancements in technology, design trends, and engineering best practices.

• Assist with the testing and data collection activities that drive and verify product improvement plans.

• Assist the supervisor in managing, planning and processing UNOPS IPMG design/or local peer review process(s).

• Contribute to the preparation of quality control and quality assurance documentation related to mechanical engineering design work for new projects.

• Assist the project manager and team to manage, plan and coordinate monthly, weekly and daily construction activities, including monitoring site safety and construction quality.

• Participate in construction approval and inspection activities, liaising closely with engineering and Quality Assurance (QA)  personnel  and ensuring Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) measures are implemented within construction activities.

• Support the supervisor to ensure the overall and timely delivery of the project activities are within the project schedule.

• Provide feedback to the project team and project manager on the best practices in the industry, especially taking into consideration the Operation and Maintenance and sustainability.

2. Monitoring and reporting

• Ensure smooth implementation in accordance with the drawings, specifications, and other mechanical design documents.

• Support with the monitoring contractors’ onsite work to ensure delivery is maintained at the required level to meet project quality, time and cost targets.

• Assist in maintaining accurate measurement of the completed mechanical works for payments, keep appropriate  records for all contracts.

• Collect and document site information in relation to contractor’s work including information on the contractor’s workforce, labor, weather, Risk register, issues register and progress of work and any other related information.

• Assist the project team and the project manager in the hand-over and closing of the project.

3. Knowledge building and sharing

• Participate in the relevant Communities of Practice, actively interact with other Engineers and the Engineering community to share case studies, lessons learned and best practice on the Knowledge System.

• Collaborate with technical team members including but not limited to architects, engineers, project managers and quantity surveyors.

Impact of Results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Mechanical design Engineer directly impacts on the development and performance of the project. 

Monitoring and progress controls will be in accordance with work plans that the Supervisor and incumbent will prepare at the beginning of the assignment.

 Education/Experience/Language requirements

a.  Education

• A first-level university degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in Mechanical Engineering or a related field with additional two (2) years of relevant work experience is required. 

• An advanced (Master or equivalent) university degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering or a relevant field may substitute for additional years of experience.

• A professional certificate in Mechanical design Engineering or a relevant field and/or an advanced university degree (e.g. Masters) will be an advantage.

b. Work Experience 

• A minimum of 2 years of fieldwork experience in the field of mechanical design engineering preferably in the design is required.

• Experience in the supervision of multiple mechanical engineering construction sites is an advantage.

• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and mechanical engineering design software is required.

• Experience in project implementation in close collaboration with government authorities and community organizations is an asset.

• Knowledge of UNOPS/UN rules and regulations is an advantage.

c.  Languages

• Fluency (oral and written) in English is required.

• Fluency in Pashto and Dari languages is desired.

Please click on the below link for actual vacancy announcement to see the complete details and submission guideline as this is only an attempt for attracting female applicants for gender parity in organization. Please make sure you fill your profile/application properly with all relevant details in order to be considered for the next stage of recruitment/selection.

https://jobs.unops.org/pages/viewvacancy/VADetails.aspx?id=29332