ENGINEER/CIVIL ENGINEER

This post is located in the Facilities Management Section (FMS), within the Division of Administration, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). Under the overall guidance of the Director of Administration, the incumbent will report to the Chief of Project Planning and Implementation Unit (PPIU) of Facilities Management Section(FMS).

Within delegated authority , the incumbent will be responsible for the implementation of all expansion, alteration, improvement and major maintenance works including coordination with other projects ensuring implementation timely, efficiently and within budget. Schedule, all day- to- day renovations, alterations and improvement of buildings, roads, walkways, gardens, parking within the Secretariat and in sub-regional offices, ensuring that the said works are completed in time and to the applicable standards.

The responsibilities of the incumbent include, but will not be limited to: -

•Directing the preparation and up-dating of project documentation, including project plan, project schedule, scope of work, drawings, and technical documents for competitive tender; and
managing the evaluation of technical proposals; and serving as a principal certifying officer for all alteration, improvement and major maintenance works;
•Overseeing the on-site construction works during all phases of the major and alteration and improvement projects through adequate contract management arrangements to ensure the
contractors' compliance with their contractual obligations;
•Managing all relevant aspects of financial management of the construction projects, administer and follow-up all regular payments and performance and reporting to PPIU Chief or the
designate;
•Plan, organize and supervises the work of the technical Sub-Unit within FMS;
•Plan construction and renovation projects, including conceptual design, identification of design parameters, analysis of functional/special needs and recommendations on alternative solutions;
•Developing standards for existing and future facilities and guidelines for the on-going management of buildings;
•Draft status reports, briefing papers, updates and ad-hoc report on status of the various stages of the planning design, construction, environment, safety-related projects and common-service
aspects of the Secretariat facilities;
•Assist in the implementation of work plan of the Section and in managing the resources, and participate in the preparation of biennial budget and spending plan of the Section;
•Coach, train and supervise general service staff in the technical Unit, coordinate specialized needs for special events or special construction and operational issues;
•Manages ECA facility programme related to strategic capital maintenance of facilities, 20-year strategic capital review of facility, for both Secretariat and in Sub-regional offices.
• Manage all phases of construction, and modification programs on a continuing basis, to include technical, administrative, budget (both expenditure and biennium planning) and related
operational requirements, ensures uninterrupted functioning of all infrastructural support systems. All actions required for effective office and external space utilization and upkeep, suggests
relevant budgets, oversees implementation;
•Establish quality maintenance and service standards;
•Supervises contractor performance, evaluating respective results relative objectives, ascertains completion and compliance to the requirements and endorsing release of remuneration or
taking corrective actions, as necessary;
•Analyze existing facilities and projects future needs for the immediate next biennium;
•Monitors office space allocation, use and projections for tenant UN Agencies, evaluates rental and cost-sharing agreements, plans and executes re partitioning or construction works;
•Reviewing space allocation request, design and implement procedures and related standards;
•Collaborating with UN local agencies concerning re partitioning and space allocation principles;
•Periodically makes comparative analysis on rental and utilities charges, space allocation principles;
•Oversees the facilities of the SROs civil works in close coordination with Electrical and Mechanical Units;
•Take lead in UN climate neutral, disability access, energy management use of renewable energies, as well as personnel and safety initiatives within ECA and sub-regional offices.
•Perform other duties, as directed by the Chief PPIU or his/her designate;

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. 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.


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.



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.


Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in engineering, architecture or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of five years’ progressive experience in applying methodologies on facilities' major improvement and maintenance projects. Experience in office space management, project planning, execution and evaluation of engineering compliance standards is also required.

Fluency in one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

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

Established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations (UN) in 1958 as one of the UN's five regional commissions, ECA's mandate is to promote the economic and social development of its member States, foster intra-regional integration, and promote international cooperation for Africa's development. Made up of 54 member States, and playing a dual role as a regional arm of the UN and as a key component of the African institutional landscape, ECA is well positioned to make unique contributions to address the Continent's development challenges. The strategic objective of ECA is framed around delivering ideas and actions for an empowered, inclusive and transformed Africa in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063 of the African Union through its three core functions, namely, its function as a think tank, its convening function and its operational function


Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.


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


For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 August 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.

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.