Quality Engineering Technician - Associate

The Asia Pacific Regional Office, based in Bangkok, Thailand, provides strategic leadership and oversight for UNOPS operations across 17 countries, ensuring high performance, operational excellence, and alignment with organizational goals. Operations currently span Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Pacific Islands. Across these countries, we work closely with key stakeholders to strengthen partnerships and maximize impact through five main operating units: Afghanistan (AFCO), Myanmar (MMCO), South Asia Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), and the Asia Regional Health Cluster (ARHC). Through these entities, we provide agile, client-focused service delivery across diverse sectors - including infrastructure, health, procurement, and project management - supporting the implementation of sustainable development solutions across the region.

The East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office (EAPMCO), headquartered in Bangkok, supports UNOPS operations across 24 countries in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Pacific. Established in January 2023, EAPMCO provides strategic direction, operational support, and quality assurance to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of projects across its portfolio. EAPMCO implements initiatives in priority areas such as energy transition, climate change, and sustainable development, drawing on UNOPS' core expertise in human resources, procurement, infrastructure, fund management, and programme management.

UNOPS established its presence in Indonesia in 2005 following the Indian Ocean tsunami and has since invested over $200 million in projects across the country. Its work spans infrastructure development, fund management, procurement, and capacity building, addressing priority areas such as climate resilience, environmental protection, energy transition, health, education, and post-disaster recovery. UNOPS plays a key role in supporting post-COVID-19 economic recovery, including through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and provides advisory and technical assistance to other UN agencies. Projects in Indonesia contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas such as climate action, life on land and below water, responsible consumption, clean energy, infrastructure and innovation, health and well-being, and partnerships for sustainable development.

UNOPS EAPMCO was requested to support the delivery of a UNEP led Green Climate Fund project titled "Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro-meteorological hazards in Timor-Leste". Within the broader project, UNOPS is requested to provide both HR and procurement services for UNEP.

UNEP in Timor Leste

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

This consultancy is managed by UNEP’s Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit in the   Climate Change Division. The Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit is responsible for analyzing the state of the global environment, providing early warning information, and assessing global and regional environmental trends to catalyze and promote international cooperation and action on the environment. In response to requests from the Member States, the Climate Early Warning and Capacity Building Unit builds country capacities in the collection, management, and use of environmental and climate data, information, and knowledge for early warning, planning, policymaking, preparedness, and response actions.

The Local Air Quality Technician will report to the UNEP Project Manager in the Project Management Unit in Dili and be supported by the UNOPS Project Manager for administration matters. 

Programme Information

The Local Air Quality Technician is responsible for establishment and operationalization of the air quality monitoring system in Timor-Leste by providing continuous technical assistance to ensure implementation of sub-activity 2.3.2 “Establishment of an air quality monitoring framework for Timor-Leste” of the GCF funded project titled “Enhancing Early Warning Systems to build greater resilience to hydro meteorological hazards in Timor Leste” (see full project document).

This sub-activity aims to establish a national air quality monitoring framework and enhance the capacity for climate data collection and analysis. The project aims to establish a hybrid ambient air quality monitoring system in Timor Leste, consisting of low-cost sensors for fine particulate matter (PM2.5 / PM10), NO2 diffusion tubes, and reference grade particle counters, overlaid with MAIAC/Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) PM2.5 satellite data. The combined use of surface-based and satellite observations will facilitate the collection of high-resolution spatiotemporal air pollution data, providing a robust baseline of gaseous and particulate pollutants for the capital Dili and the nation. The project involves the development of a national air quality monitoring framework, technical training, and capacity building initiatives.

The project also involves development of a mobile application for health-related forecasts and advisories. This application will leverage hyperlocal air pollution data to generate real-time forecasts, warning alerts, and tailored health impact advisories. By integrating advanced data analytics with user-friendly mobile technology, the app will empower individuals, healthcare providers, and policymakers to make informed decisions that mitigate exposure risks. This initiative will be complemented by local stakeholder engagement workshops aimed at raising awareness about air pollution sources, associated health risks, and sustainable mitigation strategies. Through community-driven advocacy and enhanced accessibility to environmental data, this mobile platform will serve as a critical tool in fostering public health resilience and promoting ecosystem sustainability. 

The Local Air Quality Technician will provide assistance on the technical expertise and support for the establishment and operationalization of an air quality monitoring system in Timor-Leste, ensuring the functionality, reliability, and maintenance of the monitoring infrastructure. The role involves site selection, sensor deployment, data integration, capacity building, and collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders to enhance climate data collection and analysis for early warning and public health resilience.

Required

• A high school diploma is the minimum academic requirement required for this role, plus 6 years of relevant professional experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, or Environmental Science or other relevant discipline.

Required

• A high school diploma is the minimum academic requirement required for this role, plus 6 years of relevant professional experience OR

• Bachelor’s degree with a combination of 2 additional years of relevant professional experience in Engineering, or Environmental Science or other relevant discipline.

Required

• Relevant experience is work in troubleshooting air quality sensors and monitoring equipment, preferably in a similar context or geographic area or equivalent experience of working with other technical observation equipment.

• Experience in conducting site assessments and evaluations.

• Demonstrable proficiency in the use of collaboration and productivity tools (e.g. MS Office, G-Suite, etc) and web-based management systems are required. 

Desired

• Technical knowledge of air quality monitoring principles, instrumentation, and data analysis techniques is an asset.

• Experience in selecting the location of monitoring stations and coordination with local authorities and stakeholders is preferred.

• Experience in developing and delivering training programs.

• Experience of working in multicultural environments or UN system organizations in a developing country is desired.

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
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• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited to proceed to the next stage of the selection process, which may include various assessments. 
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• We are committed to enabling all candidates to perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require support or reasonable accommodation to complete any assessment, please inform our human resources team upon receiving your invitation.
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• 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. 
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• 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.