Senior Architect-Consultant (resident of Yemen only)

OVERVIEW

Parent Sector : Culture Sector (CLT)

Duty Station: Yemen

 

Classification of duty station: [[filter12]]

Standard Duration of Assignement : [[filter13]]

Job Family: Culture

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 04/02/2023

 

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

 

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

In November 2022, UNESCO received funding support from the Saudi Development and Reconstruction Program for Yemen for the Rehabilitation of the Seiyun Palace in Yemen. The project aims at ensuring the rehabilitation of the cultural and histordic Seiyun Palace by undertaking measures to repair and restore the damaged parts, ensuring maintenance and securing access. The project at large contribute to safeguarding Yemeni heritage and identity at large by safeguarding the palace as a cultural centre and museum.
Completed in the 1920s, Seiyun Palace was the royal residence of the Sultan of Kathiri, located in the town of Seiyun in the Hadhramaut region, Yemen. Being one of the world’s largest mud-brick structures, the palace also houses a museum. In the context of lack of maintenance and the ongoing conflict in Yemen, the palace has suffered from the damage to the base of the structure, the walls, roofs, which need to be fixed and then routinely maintained. Such damage is typically caused by a number of reasons, including loose soil upon which the building was erected, heavy mud bricks in the context of multiple floors, looseness of bonding material between the mud bricks and water leakage into the foundation. The project will address the most needs of the rehabilitation of the Seiyun Palace as a cultural and historic monument and museum, in collaboration with the local General Organization of Antiquities and Museums (GOAM).
In this context and in line with the UNESCO’s programme in the field of culture, the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen is seeking of a local senior architect  expertise in mud traditional buildings and monuments preservation / rehabilitation to provide advice on all the aspects of the documentation, stabilization, conservation, rehabilitation of the Seiyun Palace within the framework of UNESCO projects in Yemen. The incumbent is expected to undertake the following duties and responsibilities.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the overall authority of the UNESCO Office for the Gulf States and Yemen and under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Culture Unit, the Senior Architect shall:
1.    Act as the Lead Architect in Seiyun (Yemen) for the UNESCO’s project on the Rehabilitation of the Seiyun Palace in Yemen; 
2.    Provide technical assistance to UNESCO in preparing, reviewing and finalizing the technical documents  (Statement of Works (SOW), shop drawings, BOQs, specifications) of the project, making sure they meet project requirements and applicable codes and standards; prepare action plans; collect and update the technical studies prepared by the local authorities ;
3.    Draw up tendering dossiers for construction works and assist UNESCO in technical matters throughout the bidding process; assist in the technical evaluation of the construction/ rehabilitation tenders.
4.    Draft and submit progress reports on project activities, including the calculation of human/days by skilled and unskilled labour and expenditures, on a weekly basis and/or as required by the Chief of the Culture Unit; 
5.    Support the implementation of the project by ensuring coordination of meetings and exchanges with local implementing partners and stakeholders; prepare relevant documentation in preparation for meetings and share them with all parties concerned;
6.    Support in technical assessments and studies of the project by providing sketches, photographs and architectural details as needed, visiting the site in regular bases;
7.    Perform tasks in close collaboration and liaison with the staff of the EU-funded Cash for work project in Yemen and support complementarity and cost effectiveness of interventions; participate in team meetings of the Culture Unit as relevant; 

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial) Accountability (C) Communication (C) Innovation (C) Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C) Planning and organizing (C) Results focus (C) Teamwork (C) Professionalism (C) - For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

•    Advanced university degree in architecture, built heritage conservation, urban planning, or any related degree in conservation of monuments and sites;
•    At least 10 years of relevant experience in architectural design and supervision of architectural works; 
•    At least 7 years' experience in principles and methods of maintenance and restoration of historic mud buildings 
•    Demonstrable experience in conservation projects and new construction;
•    Demonstrable experience in organizing participatory planning processes with beneficiary  communities; 
•    Demonstrable experience as a site manager / chief architect in a related project, dealing with construction, architectural planning, urban planning or local development issues would be an advantage;
•    Excellent interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills with high-level counterparts;
•    Experience working with specialized IT engineering/architectural programs such as ArchiCAD, AutoCAD, or other similar technical software;
•    Languages: fluency in oral and written Arabic and English;

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

•    Prior experience in managing rehabilitation projects, construction in conflict zone or a post-conflict or post disaster zone;
•    Prior experience with UN agencies and knowledge of UN agency requirements;
•    Experience with UN Procurement methods.

APPLICATION PROCESS

 

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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