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Lead Architect (Retainer)

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNOPS - United Nations Office for Project Services
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Mid level - LICA-10, Local Individual Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Architecture, Building and Property Management
    • Documentation and Information Management
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background Information - Job-specific

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners' peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world.  Mandated as a central resource of the United Nations, UNOPS provides sustainable project management, procurement and infrastructure services to a wide range of governments, donors and United Nations organisations.  With over 6,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, where they need it.  By implementing around 1,000 projects for our partners at any given time, UNOPS makes significant contributions to results on the ground, often in the most challenging environments.


Established in 2009, UNOPS Ethiopia Office has been providing services to various partners, including the government of Ethiopia, UN agencies such as WHO, UNHCR and WFP, and other international organizations. Since 2014, the UNOPS Ethiopia multi-country office manages and coordinates the UNOPS activities in Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti. The UNOPS Ethiopia multi-country office team is composed of approximately 100 national and international women and men, and offers a broad range of services such as infrastructure, procurement, project management, financial and human resources management. 

Position Background


UNOPS strategy for Ethiopia Multi Country Office is aimed at providing support to the Government and people of Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti through the delivery of projects and services in line with the governments’ own priorities and also under the UN Delivery as One initiative. The UNOPS Ethiopia Multi Country Office (ETMCO) has been established as an organizational mechanism to deliver a range of projects for which UNOPS has been appointed as the implementation agency. At present, UNOPS ETMCO office is implementing and negotiating a number of projects in a range of sectors including infrastructure development, Procurement Support to Government Ministries and other UN agencies and  HR support to UN agencies. The functional objective of UNOPS ETMCO is to deliver projects in an efficient and effective manner, to achieve the development outcomes sought by the Government of Ethiopia and the donor community, where capacity building is always considered and encouraged. 

Functional Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the ETMCO Infrastructure Team Leader, the Lead Architect shall perform duties including, but not limited to:

i)  Technical Study and Design Development

ii)   Procurement 

iii)  Supervision and Monitoring

i)  Technical Study and Design Development

  • Active engagement in revising the design and drawings of existing buildings and infrastructure, for rehabilitation;

  • Participating in preparation of proposals for new projects, and is responsible for the relevant preliminary design drawings and design documentations;

  • Assist in preparing design concepts and presentations required to ensure timely, cost effective and quality delivery of the work;

  • Participate in the preparation and checking technical specifications and detail BoQ of assigned projects;

  • Involve in UNOPS technical team in the design/works; architectural designs; selection of materials, equipment and manpower requirements; 

  • Active enrollment in revising the details, design and drawings if and when required during the project life;

ii)   Procurement 

  • Develop bidding documents for Infrastructure related projects as per the UNOPS Procurement Manual;

  • Participate in the pre-bid meetings and provide the necessary clarifications to bidders;

  • Conduct technical and financial evaluations of contractors/suppliers as the Procurement Manual;

iii)  Supervision and Monitoring

  • Advice on good project management and construction practices;

  • Advice on good environmental practices and controls during construction and mitigate environmental impacts of the works; 

  • Generate regular project reports in accordance to the contractual agreements; maintaining updates and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures;

  • Actively engage in knowledge sharing and also improve one’s professional skills;

  • Maintains design and construction records and contributes in the production of “As Built” drawings and details;

  • Checks technical specifications and detail BoQ of assigned projects;

  • Maintain updates and progress reports as required by UNOPS standard procedures;

  • Maintaining accurate, quality and completion documentation as identified in responsibilities above;

  • Performs any other duties seemed necessary by the Head of Programme and/or Project Manager & Project Engineers;

Education/Experience/Language requirements

a. Education
  • An advanced University Degree (Master's) in Architecture, Engineering, or any other relevant field is required.
  • A first University Degree (Bachelor's) in Architecture, Engineering, or any other relevant field will be considered with additional 2 years of work experience.
  • Professional Registration License (Professional Architect- PAR) is required.

b. Work Experience

  • At least five (5)  years of experience in an architectural conceptual design that includes preparation of scheme and final architectural design drawings, graphics and presentation drawings, and specification OR A First University Degree (Bachelor's)  with seven (7) years of experience having the stated experience is required.

  • At least five (5) years of experience in AutoCAD is required. Other CAD Visualization software is an added advantage.

  • At least three (3) years of experience in the supervision of  construction activities is required. 

  • Experience in proposal development will be an advantage.

c. Language

  • Fluency in spoken and written English and the local language (Amharic) is required

Skills

Infrastructure  - Architecture (Required) - 5 years

Information technology - AutoCAD  (Required) - 5 years

Engineering - Supervising construction activities (Required) -   3 years

Project Management - Project Proposal Development (Optional) 

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: Local Individual Contractual Agreement (LICA) - Retainer Contract level:LICA-10
Contract duration:1 year 



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 

Background Information - UNOPS

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ 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 partners’ 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.


Additional Considerations

  • Please note that the closing date is midnight Copenhagen time
  • Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
  • Only those candidates that are short-listed for interviews will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • UNOPS seeks to reasonably accommodate candidates with special needs, upon request.
  • Work life harmonization - UNOPS values its people and recognizes the importance of balancing professional and personal demands. We have a progressive policy on work-life harmonization and offer several flexible working options. This policy applies to UNOPS personnel on all contract types
  • 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 (around 4 hours) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS.
  • The incumbent is responsible to abide by security policies, administrative instructions, plans and procedures of the UN Security Management System and that of UNOPS.  

It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential recruits/interns. Recruitment/internship in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

This vacancy is now closed.
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