Architectural Engineering Technician - Senior Associate

The UNOPS Africa Regional Office, based in Nairobi, Kenya, oversees the delivery of over 250 projects across 40 countries, with a focus on fragile and conflict-affected settings. Supported by more than 1,000 personnel across five multi-country offices—spanning North, West, Central, Eastern and Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa—the office advances national priorities through strategic initiatives in Climate Action, Health, Infrastructure, Peace and Security, Middle-Income Country Support, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Regional Office provides strategic leadership, operational support, and oversight in key areas including Partnerships, Communications, Management and Oversight, Infrastructure and Project Management, Health and Safety, and Security. By promoting excellence in project delivery, fostering knowledge sharing, and driving continuous improvement, the office contributes to sustainable infrastructure, transparent resource management, and a better quality of life for communities across the continent.

Based in Addis Ababa, the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO) delivers project management, procurement, and infrastructure services across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a primary focus on health, agriculture, and economic development. Established in 2009, HAMCO partners with governments and development stakeholders to implement impactful, results-driven initiatives that contribute to sustainable development. Since 2024, new projects have been aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods, particularly in underserved and conflict-affected regions. HAMCO also provides human resource management services, supporting the effective implementation of development initiatives. Key efforts include equipping research facilities, strengthening education and health systems, building vaccine research capacity, and enhancing resilience in communities affected by crisis. Through these interventions, HAMCO contributes to inclusive growth, regional stability, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across the Horn of Africa.

This position operates within the Horn of Africa Multi-Country Office (HAMCO), supporting critical infrastructure and building projects across Djibouti, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan. The Architectural Engineering Technician Senior Associate plays a vital role in the design and documentation phase, ensuring the accuracy and quality of architectural and engineering drawings. This role is essential for the effective implementation of development initiatives aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, energy, and livelihoods in underserved regions, directly contributing to HAMCO's mission of sustainable development and regional stability.

The Architectural Engineering Technician Senior Associate performs specialized technical support services in architectural and engineering design, integrating multiple processes to ensure high-quality design documentation and coordination for infrastructure and building projects. The candidate applies professional principles of architectural engineering to manage service delivery, contributes to process improvements, and ensures the integrity and accuracy of design outputs.

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Project Manager,  the Architectural Engineering Technician Senior Associate shall perform the following duties, including but not limited to:

1. Design Preparation

• Contribute to the preparation of CAD drawings, 3D models, Renderings, and design documentation for infrastructure and building projects, including preliminary design drawings.
• Support the development of design concepts and presentations to ensure timely, cost-effective, and quality delivery.
• Utilize relevant software tools to prepare drawings that convey materials, technical specifications, dimensions, and construction requirements.
• Prepare architectural drawings including plans, sections, elevations, site layouts, and detailed working drawings using the latest version of AutoCAD, REVIT or equivalent software.
• Produce structural drawings (e.g., floor plans, columns, beams, reinforcement detailing) based on inputs provided by the relevant professionals.
• Prepare drawings for disciplines including sanitary, electrical, mechanical based on information provided by the relevant professionals.
• Ensure drawings are prepared in accordance with given instructions, schematic designs, and technical specifications.
• Assist in the preparation of as-built drawings and project documentation.

2. Design Review and Revision

• Support the revision and updating of design drawings for new and existing buildings and infrastructure projects.
• Translate technical instructions, sketches, and mark-ups into accurate drawing outputs.
• Revise drawings and details throughout the design and construction phases as required.

3. Site Coordination and Technical Support

• Participate in technical coordination meetings and attend site visits as required.
• Support site assessments by preparing sketches, layouts, and drawings reflecting site conditions.
• Assist in identifying drafting-related issues and propose practical solutions.

4. Documentation and Knowledge Management

• Maintain organized records of drawings, revisions, and project documentation.
• Support the preparation of as-built documentation and final drawing packages.
• Engage in knowledge sharing and continuous professional development.

5. General Duties

Perform other related duties as assigned by the Senior Project Manager  or Infrastructure team.

Required

•  A High School Diploma/Secondary School Diploma, combined with seven (7) years of relevant experience, is required.

Desired

• A Technical/Professional Diploma is desired and may substitute for some of the years of experience required.

• A Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or a related field is an asset and may substitute for up to four (4) years of the required relevant work experience.

  
  

Required

• A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in preparing architectural and engineering drawings using AutoCAD, REVIT, or equivalent software is required.

•  Proficiency in AutoCAD is required.

  
  

  
  

Desired

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

• UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• 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. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of a wide range of nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. We strive to sustain and strengthen this diversity, fostering an inclusive working environment where all personnel are treated with respect and have equal access to opportunities.
• UNOPS evaluates all applications based on the skills, qualifications and experience outlined in the vacancy announcement. We are committed to a fair and transparent selection process and welcome diverse perspectives, including those of women, indigenous and racialized communities, individuals of diverse gender identities and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities.
• 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.
• UNOPS has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct, including discrimination, abuse of authority, and harassment. To uphold these standards, background checks are conducted for all final candidates to help ensure that individuals with a history of such conduct are not hired. By applying for a position with UNOPS, candidates acknowledge and consent to these verification processes.
  

• 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. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click 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.